Margie Washichek is best known as the first wife of the singer and writer Jimmy Buffett. Their marriage was short, from 1969 to 1972, in the early years of his career. There is not much public information about Margie, and she has chosen a private life away from the media. This article shares what is known from reliable sources, explains the setting of their marriage, and clears up common questions using simple, friendly language.
Personal Information
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Margie Washichek |
| Known for | First wife of Jimmy Buffett |
| Relationship to Buffett | Married in 1969; divorced in 1972 |
| Wedding location | St. Joseph Chapel, Spring Hill College (Mobile, Alabama) |
| Public life today | Very private; little verified public information |
Introduction
Margie Washichek lived most of her life outside the spotlight. Her time in the public record links to Jimmy Buffett during the late 1960s and early 1970s, when he was building his career. This was before Margaritaville and before his brand became famous. Because Margie keeps a low profile, there are no long interviews or memoirs from her in the public domain. Reliable sources confirm the marriage and the key dates, but not many personal details beyond that.
How Margie and Jimmy fit into that time
The late 1960s were years of big change in American music. Jimmy Buffett was still finding his voice. He played small venues, worked writing jobs, and moved for opportunities. He proposed to his girlfriend, Margie, and they married in 1969. Records show the wedding took place at St. Joseph Chapel on the campus of Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. Soon after, Buffett headed into music more seriously, including work and gigs in Nashville and New Orleans.
The wedding and early marriage
College and local records place the ceremony at St. Joseph Chapel in Mobile. Fans and local timelines also point to a July 1969 date for the wedding. While fan timelines are not official records, they match what the college and Alabama sources say about the chapel and the year. The important verified points are: they married in 1969, in Mobile, at St. Joseph Chapel.
At this stage, Buffett was not yet the global figure he later became. The couple’s life likely included normal young-married worries: money, travel, and career choices. Trusted biographies do not add many details about Margie herself, and we should be careful with rumors or unverified claims.
Life as Jimmy’s career started
After the wedding, Buffett worked to grow as a performer and songwriter. This included time in Nashville, writing for Billboard and chasing record deals, and playing sets that helped him learn what fans liked. These steps are part of his early career timeline. While they do not tell us much about Margie’s personal life, they give context: their marriage happened during a demanding, changing period for him.
The divorce and separate paths
Reliable sources agree that Jimmy and Margie divorced in 1972. After that, Jimmy’s life moved on. He later married Jane Slagsvol in 1977. Many stories about Buffett focus on Jane, because she was with him during the long, famous years and raised a family with him. But the record is clear that his first marriage, to Margie Washichek, came earlier and lasted from 1969 to 1972. Public sources do not offer details about Margie’s life after the divorce, which suggests she chose privacy.
Why there is so little information
Some websites repeat claims about Margie’s background, including birth dates and pageant titles. But many of those pages do not list strong sources. Good practice is to trust established outlets and archives. At this time, only a few core facts about Margie are confirmed by reliable sources: her name, the marriage, the year and place, and the divorce year. Beyond that, we should avoid guessing.
Respecting a private life
Not every person linked to a famous figure wants a public role. Margie seems to value privacy. There are no verified recent interviews or official statements from her in major media. If someone prefers a quiet life, the best approach is to report only well-sourced facts and to say clearly when details are unknown. This article follows that rule.
What Margie’s story shows
Margie’s short time in the public record reminds us that famous careers are built step by step. The early partners of artists often share hard years, travel, and change. Even if the marriage does not last, it is part of the artist’s life story. In Buffett’s case, his first marriage came before the big hits, before the brand, and before the busy touring life that most fans remember.
Clearing up common myths
- Myth: There is a lot of public data about Margie’s life.
Fact: Reliable, on-the-record information is limited. What we know for sure is the marriage and divorce timeline, and the wedding chapel. - Myth: She stayed in the music business.
Fact: There is no reliable source showing she had a public career in entertainment after the divorce. Most reports say nothing further, which means the safe view is that she kept her private life.
Final thoughts
Margie Washichek played a part in the early chapter of Jimmy Buffett’s life. Their marriage took place at a time of change and growth for him. After 1972, public records for Margie become quiet, which likely reflects her own choice to live out of the spotlight. When we write about people who prefer privacy, it is good to share only what strong sources prove, and to avoid guessing. That is the respectful way and the accurate way to tell this story.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Margie Washichek?
She is Jimmy Buffett’s first wife. They married in 1969 and divorced in 1972. - Where did they get married?
At St. Joseph Chapel on the campus of Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. - What was Jimmy Buffett doing at that time?
He was building his music career, writing, performing, and moving for work, including time in Nashville. - Did Jimmy and Margie have children together?
No public, reliable source says they had children together. Jimmy later had three children with Jane Slagsvol. - Why is there so little information about Margie?
She keeps a private life. Only the marriage facts and place are well documented in trusted sources. - What year did they divorce?
1972. - Is the exact wedding date known?
- Some fan timelines list July 19, 1969. While helpful, fan sites are not official records; the chapel and year are confirmed by college and reference sources.
- Is Margie in Jimmy Buffett’s later stories or songs?
Reliable sources focus on his later life and second marriage; they do not document a direct link between Margie and specific songs. - Where is Margie now?
There are no verified recent public reports from major outlets. The careful answer is that she remains private. - Why is it important to use strong sources here?
Because many webpages repeat claims without citations. Using respected references helps keep the story accurate and fair to a private person.
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