Basic Information
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Mary Sue Wittauer |
| Also known as | Mary Sue Dean (after marriage) |
| Birth year | circa 1929 (approximate, not independently verified) |
| Marriage | July 11, 1950 |
| Spouse | Jimmy Dean (1928 – 2010) |
| Children | 3 (Garry, Connie, Robert) |
| Divorce | 1990 (publicly filed) |
| Public role | Known primarily as first wife of entertainer and businessman Jimmy Dean |
| Later public profile | Largely private after 1990; occasional mentions in family notices and fan retrospectives |
Family and Personal Relationships
Mary Sue Wittauer stands at the center of a compact and public family constellation. She married entertainer Jimmy Dean on July 11, 1950, at a moment when his career was rising like a small comet in the country music sky. The marriage produced three children: Garry, Connie, and Robert. These three became the trunk of the family tree, and through them Mary Sue is the matriarch of at least two named grandchildren, creating a lineage that threads from mid twentieth century show business into the modern era.
Her husband Jimmy Dean became a household name as a singer, television host, actor, and food industry entrepreneur. Mary Sue is most often identified in public records and recollections as his first wife, and for decades she occupied the role of partner during the most visible stretch of his career. The marriage ended in a 1990 divorce filing that received public attention; the legal matter included requests for spousal support and allegations that were reported at the time. After the divorce Mary Sue retreated from the spotlight to a more private life, while her children continued their own lives in various communities.
Beyond husband and children, the Wittauer family roots are visible in genealogical records that list parents and siblings, indicating a broader kinship network. Her parents are recorded under familiar names in family trees, and at least one sister appears in local obituary records. These relations anchor Mary Sue to a family history that precedes and outlives the glare of celebrity. Family photographs, guest appearances and personal recollections place Mary Sue in the background of numerous public moments, where she is often seen as steady, reserved, and enduring.
Career, Financial Profile, and Achievements
There isn’t a well-documented separate public career for Mary Sue Wittauer that can match her ex-husband’s high profile. The majority of her public presence is social and domestic: she was present at media events related to Jimmy Dean’s career, appeared in press shots, and went to events with her spouse. In many respects, she served as the steady rock against the ebb and flow of business, television, and touring.
The 1990 divorce filing, which requested significant spousal maintenance, is the most widely known financial document associated with Mary Sue. The most obvious financial record linked to her name in public accounts is still that court case. The wider monetary background of the family is formed by Jimmy Dean’s larger estate and commercial riches, which include the success of his branded food business. However, independent sources do not publicly list Mary Sue’s personal holdings and net worth.
Mary Sue’s accomplishments are primarily related to her presence and stewardship of her family. During a time when her husband was very active in the public eye, she handled the quiet work of family life. Her accomplishment is comparable to the unseen framework that supports a theatrical play in this regard: crucial, frequently disregarded, and subtly strong.
Recent Mentions and Public Memory
The most common references to Mary Sue Wittauer in recent decades can be found in fan conversations, genealogical pages, family notes, and retrospective accounts of Jimmy Dean’s life. After 1990, her name can be found in a variety of places, including local genealogy compilations that document births, marriages, and kinship, fan forums that list family members, and obituary listings that identify her as a first wife. Although she does not receive frequent news attention, her influence endures in the minds of those writing family biographies and chronicling the history of mid-century country music.
She is treated by the public memory less as a public figure and more as a biographical anchor: a person with a private existence woven into a public one, and a crucial name in the inventory of someone else’s fame. Families in the entertainment industry frequently exhibit this dichotomy, when intimacy and publicity coexist.
Extended Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| circa 1929 | Birth year approximate for Mary Sue Wittauer |
| July 11, 1950 | Marriage to Jimmy Dean |
| early 1950s | Birth of first child, Garry (approximate) |
| mid 1950s | Births of Connie and Robert (approximate) |
| 1950s – 1960s | Mary Sue appears in publicity photos and accompanies public appearances |
| 1980s | Family residence recorded in Tenafly, New Jersey area during this era |
| 1990 | Divorce filing finalizes separation from Jimmy Dean; public legal proceedings and spousal support request reported |
| June 13, 2010 | Jimmy Dean dies; family obituaries reference Mary Sue as first wife and mother of three |
| 2010s | Mary Sue’s public profile remains sparse; genealogical listings record family details |
FAQ
Who is Mary Sue Wittauer?
Mary Sue Wittauer is best known as the first wife of entertainer and businessman Jimmy Dean and the mother of their three children. She occupied a private role that intersected with a public life.
When did Mary Sue marry Jimmy Dean?
They married on July 11, 1950. The union produced three children during the early years of his career.
How many children did Mary Sue have?
She had three children: Garry, Connie, and Robert. These children later produced grandchildren, extending the family line.
Was there a divorce?
Yes, a divorce was publicly filed and finalized in 1990 and included a spousal support claim. The legal proceedings were reported in the period press.
Did Mary Sue have a public career?
No prominent independent public career is recorded for Mary Sue; she is most often seen in the historical record as a spouse and family figure. Her public acts were largely social and private rather than professional.
Is Mary Sue mentioned in recent news?
Her name appears occasionally in retrospective family notices and fan or genealogical discussions, but there is limited contemporary news coverage focused on her.
