Josephine Wayne was the first wife of John Wayne, one of the most iconic actors in Hollywood history. Their marriage lasted for 12 years, from 1933 to 1945, and produced four children. But who was Josephine Wayne, and how did she die? This article will explore the life and death of John Wayne’s first wife, and the impact she had on his career and personal life.
Contents
Early Life and Marriage to John Wayne
Josephine Alicia Saenz was born on May 13, 1908, in Los Angeles, California. She was the daughter of José Saenz and Alicia Acosta, who were both of Spanish descent. Her father was a consul for Panama in Los Angeles, and her mother was a socialite. Josephine grew up in a wealthy and influential family, and attended the prestigious Convent of the Sacred Heart in Los Angeles.
Josephine met John Wayne, whose real name was Marion Robert Morrison, in 1932, when he was a struggling actor. They were introduced by a mutual friend, Raoul Walsh, who was a director and actor. John was immediately smitten by Josephine’s beauty and charm, and proposed to her after only a few months of dating. Josephine accepted, and they got married on June 24, 1933, at the St. Monica Catholic Church in Santa Monica, California.
The couple moved into a modest home in Mar Vista, Los Angeles, and started a family. They had four children: Michael Wayne (born in 1934), Mary Antonia “Toni” Wayne (born in 1936), Patrick Wayne (born in 1939), and Melinda Wayne (born in 1940). John Wayne was a devoted father and husband, and Josephine supported his acting career, even though it was not very successful at the time.
The End of Their Marriage and Aftermath
Josephine and John Wayne’s marriage began to deteriorate in the early 1940s, due to several factors. One of them was John’s affair with Marlene Dietrich, a German actress and singer, whom he met on the set of the 1940 film Seven Sinners. The affair was widely publicized, and Josephine was humiliated and hurt by John’s infidelity. Another factor was John’s increasing fame and success, which made him more distant and busy. He also became more involved in politics, and supported conservative causes, while Josephine was more liberal and progressive.
The couple separated in 1943, and filed for divorce in 1944. The divorce was finalized in 1945, and Josephine received custody of their four children, as well as alimony and a share of John’s property. John Wayne went on to marry two more times, to Esperanza Baur in 1946, and to Pilar Palette in 1954. He also had three more children with Pilar: Aissa Wayne (born in 1956), John Ethan Wayne (born in 1962), and Marisa Wayne (born in 1966).
Josephine Wayne never remarried, and devoted her life to raising her children and grandchildren. She also remained on good terms with John Wayne, and attended some of his movie premieres and award ceremonies. She was proud of his achievements, and respected his legacy. She also maintained her Catholic faith, and was active in charitable causes.
Josephine Wayne Cause of Death and Legacy
Josephine Wayne died on June 24, 2003, in California, USA. She passed away from cancer, which she had been battling for some time. She was 95 years old, and the last surviving spouse of John Wayne. She was buried at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California, next to her son Michael, who died in 2003, and her daughter Toni, who died in 2000.
Josephine Wayne was a remarkable woman, who lived a long and fulfilling life. She was the first love of John Wayne, and the mother of his four eldest children. She was a loyal and supportive wife, who stood by him through thick and thin. She was also a loving and caring mother, who raised her children with grace and dignity. She was a woman of faith and charity, who helped others in need. She was a woman of strength and courage, who faced adversity with resilience and optimism.
Josephine Wayne’s cause of death may have been cancer, but her legacy lives on in her family and friends, who remember her fondly and honor her memory. She was, and always will be, John Wayne’s first wife.
