Marilyn Kroc Barg lived a quiet and private life. She was the only child of Ray Kroc, the man who helped McDonald’s grow across the world, and his first wife, actress Ethel Fleming. Marilyn was born in Chicago in 1924 and passed away in 1973 at the age of 48. Most people know about her famous father, but far less is known about Marilyn herself. This article shares what reliable public records tell us and clears up some common mistakes about her story.
Personl Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Marilyn Janet Kroc (later Marilyn Janet Kroc Barg) |
| Born | October 15, 1924 — Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Parents | Ray Kroc (father), Ethel Fleming (mother) |
| Spouses | 1) Sylvester Nordly Nelson (m. 1949; later divorced) 2) James Walter Barg (m. 1960) |
| Died | September 11, 1973 — Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA (age 48) |
| Cause of death | Complications of diabetes |
| Burial | Memorial Park Cemetery, Skokie, Illinois |
| Notable for | Being Ray Kroc’s only child; living a low-profile, private life; reported love of horses |
Early life and family
Marilyn Janet Kroc was born in Chicago on October 15, 1924. She was the daughter of Raymond “Ray” Kroc and Ethel Fleming. Ray and Ethel married in 1922 and their daughter Marilyn was born in 1924. Ethel was an actress who appeared in silent-era films before stepping back from acting.
Growing up as Ray Kroc’s daughter did not put Marilyn in the spotlight. Even as McDonald’s expanded later in life, she kept a private profile. Many details about her childhood are not widely recorded, which fits the way she lived quietly and away from media attention. What we do know from reliable notes is that Marilyn was Ray Kroc’s only child.
Personal interests
Several accounts describe Marilyn as someone who loved horses. Articles and family notes say she enjoyed equestrian life, including riding and, reportedly, breeding or showing horses. These details come from memorial sources rather than newspaper coverage, so they are best viewed as repeated reports. Still, they appear often when people remember her life.
Adult life and marriages
Public records show that Marilyn married twice:
- In 1949, she married Sylvester Nordly Nelson in Cook County, Illinois. The marriage later ended in divorce.
- In 1960, she married James Walter Barg in Chicago. They lived in the north suburbs of Chicago, including Arlington Heights. James Barg passed away in 1984.
A brief obituary line describes her as “Lynn J. Barg, née Kroc, of Arlington Heights, formerly of Evanston,” which matches other records placing her in that area. The funeral home noted is Lauterburg & Dehler in Arlington Heights.
There are no strong public records confirming that Marilyn held a high-profile executive role at McDonald’s. Some modern blog posts claim she served on the company’s board, but they rarely give a primary source. Given the lack of corporate filings or contemporary news coverage that confirm such a role, it is safest to say there is no firm, verifiable evidence that she served as a McDonald’s director.
Health and passing
Marilyn died on September 11, 1973, in Arlington Heights, Illinois, aged 48. Multiple records point to complications from diabetes as the cause. She was laid to rest at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, Illinois.
The note about diabetes also appears in histories about the Kroc Foundation, which Ray Kroc created in 1965 to support medical research into chronic diseases, including diabetes. That context helps explain why diabetes appears in several summaries of the family’s history.
Legacy, and what people often get wrong
It is easy to mix up Marilyn’s story with that of Joan Kroc, Ray’s third wife and a very famous philanthropist who made major gifts to many causes after Ray’s death. For example, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC)—a beloved network that gives families a place to stay near children’s hospitals—began in Philadelphia in 1974, after Marilyn’s death in 1973. The first House was a partnership led by Dr. Audrey Evans, the Philadelphia Eagles (inspired by player Fred Hill and his daughter Kim), and McDonald’s. Later, Joan Kroc became one of RMHC’s notable supporters. Marilyn herself did not found RMHC.
Because Marilyn stayed out of the spotlight, there are gaps in the public record. We do not have many verified interviews, public speeches, or business statements from her. What remains is a picture of a private person, close to family, whose life was cut short by illness.
How to read sources about Marilyn
When you research Marilyn online, you will find many blog posts repeating the same claims, sometimes without citations. For trustworthy basics—birth and death dates, places, and family links—it is best to rely on digitized memorial records, obituary snippets, and institutional biographies. These show her full name, dates, places, and spouses, and confirm she was Ray Kroc’s only child. Official RMHC pages clearly state the 1974 Philadelphia founding, which helps correct the common rumor that Marilyn founded the charity.
Final thoughts
Marilyn Kroc Barg did not live in the glare of fame, even though her father became one of the most talked-about business figures of the 20th century. The public record shows a woman who valued privacy, cared about family, and, according to many accounts, found joy with horses. She faced a serious illness and passed away young, and the facts about her life are few but steady. When we separate verified records from internet rumors, her story becomes clear and respectful: Marilyn was Ray Kroc’s only child, born in Chicago in 1924 and gone in 1973, remembered by those close to her and by careful readers who value accuracy.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1) Who was Marilyn Kroc Barg?
She was the daughter of Ray Kroc and Ethel Fleming. She lived a private life and did not seek public attention.
2) When and where was she born?
She was born on October 15, 1924, in Chicago, Illinois.
3) When did she die, and how old was she?
She died on September 11, 1973, at age 48, in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
4) What was the cause of death?
Public records list complications of diabetes.
5) Was she Ray Kroc’s only child?
Yes. Biographies describe Marilyn as Ray Kroc’s only child.
6) Who were her parents?
Her parents were Ray Kroc and Ethel Fleming (an actress in the silent-film era).
7) Was she married? To whom?
Yes. She married Sylvester Nordly Nelson in 1949 (later divorced) and James Walter Barg in 1960.
8) Where is she buried?
Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, Illinois.
9) Did she help start Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC)?
No. RMHC began in 1974 in Philadelphia, a year after Marilyn’s death. The founding partners were Dr. Audrey Evans, the Philadelphia Eagles (inspired by Fred Hill and his daughter Kim), and McDonald’s.
10) What did she enjoy?
Many secondary sources say she loved horses and took part in equestrian life.
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