Dee Ann Andretti, the wife of legendary racing driver Mario Andretti and the mother of three racing sons, died on July 3, 2023, at the age of 76. She was the matriarch of one of the most prominent families in motorsports history, and her passing was mourned by many in the racing community. But what was the cause of death of Dee Ann Andretti?
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A Massive Heart Attack
According to NBC Sports, Dee Ann Andretti suffered a massive heart attack a few weeks before her death. She was in intensive care ever since and never regained consciousness. Her grandson, Marco Andretti, confirmed her death on social media with a heartfelt message about his “Grammy Andretti”. He posted a photo of Dee Ann and Mario enjoying dinner together at a restaurant.
A Long and Loving Marriage
Dee Ann Andretti met Mario, an Italian immigrant, in 1961, when she signed up to be his English language tutor. They fell in love and married just a few months later. They would have celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary this November. Mario Andretti tweeted out a touching tribute to his “angel” on Saturday morning, thanking her for her love and support.
A Family Legacy
Dee Ann Andretti was the mother of three children: Michael, Jeff, and Barbie. All three followed their father’s footsteps into racing, with Michael becoming a successful IndyCar driver and team owner, Jeff competing in IndyCar and NASCAR, and Barbie racing in sports cars. She was also the grandmother of seven grandchildren, including third-generation IndyCar driver Marco Andretti. She was always supportive of her family’s passion for racing and attended many races over the years.
A Celebration of Life
A gathering and mass in honor of Dee Ann Andretti took place on Friday morning at Holy Family Catholic Church in the family’s hometown of Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Many members of the racing community expressed their condolences to the Andretti family through social media, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Mario Andretti won the Indy 500 in 1969. Dee Ann Andretti was remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.
