Unveiling O.J Simpson’s Forgotten First Wife: Marguerite Whitley
When you think about O.J. Simpson, you probably remember the famous bloody glove and the intense murder trial. But before all that, there was Marguerite Whitley, Simpson’s first wife.
Whitley had a successful business career but lived in her husband’s shadow. So, who is she? What happened after they split up?
Who is Marguerite Whitley?
Marguerite Whitley, O.J. Simpson’s first wife, lived in the shadow of her famous husband, the NFL player and actor.
They were married for eleven years and had three children together. Despite this, Whitley’s story is still captivating.
5 Fascinating Facts About O.J Simpson’s Ex-Wife
Discover intriguing facets of Marguerite L. Whitley’s life: from her dynamic career as a businesswoman to her relationships with notable figures, delve into captivating insights about this remarkable individual.
1. She was married to O.J Simpson for 12 years
After winning the Heisman Trophy as the nation’s top college football player, Simpson entered the NFL in 1969 with a $650,000 contract.
They moved to New York’s Amherst neighborhood. While Simpson climbed into the NFL, Whitley pursued various interests.
They had three children but faced issues. Whitley revealed in a 1995 interview that their struggles tested them.
Besides Simpson’s fame and immaturity, his infidelity and ego strained their marriage. Multiple separations followed in the early ’70s.
In the mid-’70s, Whitley initiated divorce proceedings, which were halted. By 1977, Simpson was involved with Nicole Brown, a waitress.
They separated in 1978 and divorced in 1979. Whitley received alimony and $1,500 in monthly child support.
Disputes over finances led Whitley to sue Simpson in 1981 for $26,000 in overdue child support. The legal battle lasted until 1986.
2. Whitley and O.J met in College
In high school, Marguerite Whitley dated Al Cowlings, a close friend of Simpson. Through Cowlings, she met Simpson, and they started dating in 1965.
They fell in love and got married on June 24, 1967. Both were college students, aged 18 and 19, viewing marriage as liberating from parental control.
3. Marguerite Whitley entered into two more marriages after divorcing O.J.
After divorcing Simpson, Whitley relocated from their Brentwood home with her children and settled in a new house in San Francisco.
It was there that she met Lewis Rudolph, a transit supervisor, and fell in love with him. They tied the knot on July 9, 1986.
However, their marriage only lasted five years, and unresolved issues led to their divorce, which was finalized on July 3, 1991.
Whitley pursued a career as an interior designer, where she met her third husband, Anthony Thomas, a furniture sales representative.
They got married on April 3, 1992. Their marriage has endured for many years, and Thomas stood by her side as she supported her ex-husband, Simpson, during his murder trial.
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4. Whitley stood by her ex-husband throughout his wife’s murder trial
Simpson dated Nicole Brown for several years before they married in February 1985. Their marriage lasted seven years before they divorced in 1992.
Despite attempts at reconciliation in 1993, they were unsuccessful.
On June 12, 1994, Nicole was found stabbed to death alongside her friend Ron Goldman outside her Brentwood home.
Simpson, the prime suspect, faced murder charges in a trial that lasted 11 months. Whitley and her children attended court to support her ex-husband.
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In 1995, Whitley defended Simpson, asserting that he was incapable of committing the murders.
She also refuted LAPD officer Jim King’s claim that she had made a domestic violence call in the 1970s, where she allegedly reported Simpson for punching, choking, and pushing her.
Simpson did not deny these allegations. Eventually, he was acquitted of the double murders.
5. She grew up in California.
Marguerite was born on March 20, 1949, in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in a family of African-American descent, but detailed information about her family remains unavailable in public records.
Marguerite attended Galileo High School. After graduating from high school, she enrolled at the University of Southern California and earned her diploma in 1967.
Is Marguerite Whitley still alive?
She remains alive but has kept a low profile since her involvement in Simpson’s murder trial. Previously, she lived in California, USA, but recent reports indicate that she owns a home in Fresno.
She has not granted interviews or appeared in documentaries. However, she asserts that her children maintain a good relationship with Simpson.
Interestingly, her Fresno property is registered under the name Marguerite Simpson, not Thomas.
Unveiling O.J Simpson’s Forgotten First Wife: Marguerite Whitley
