Margie Washichek was the first wife of legendary musician Jimmy Buffett. Born December 25, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi, she married Buffett in 1969 before his rise to fame. They divorced in 1972, and she has maintained a private life ever since.
Most people know Jimmy Buffett as the voice behind “Margaritaville” and the face of beach culture. But few know about the woman who stood beside him before fame arrived. Margie Washichek was Jimmy Buffett’s first wife, a former beauty queen who shared his life during the uncertain early days of his music career.
Her story remains largely unknown because she chose something rare in celebrity culture: complete privacy. While Buffett became a billion-dollar brand, Margie quietly stepped away from the spotlight. This is her story.
This article covers Margie Washichek’s early life in Mississippi, her time as Miss USS Alabama, her marriage to Jimmy Buffett, and what we know about her life after their divorce. You’ll learn about the woman who witnessed Buffett’s transformation from struggling musician to cultural icon.
Who Is Margie Washichek?
Margie Washichek was married to Jimmy Buffett for three years, from 1969 to 1972. During those years, Buffett was still finding his voice as an artist. He played small venues and struggled to make ends meet. Margie supported him through this challenging period.
She is a former Alabama beauty queen, though details about her life remain scarce. Unlike many people connected to famous musicians, Margie never sought media attention. She never gave interviews or wrote a memoir. Her decision to remain private makes her story more intriguing.
What we do know paints a picture of a woman who valued authenticity over celebrity. She married Buffett when success was just a dream, not a guarantee. She left when the relationship no longer worked, despite his growing fame.
Early Life in Mississippi
Margie Washichek was born on December 25, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi. This small coastal town sits along the Gulf Coast, known for its shipbuilding industry and tight-knit community. Growing up here shaped her values and character.
Pascagoula in the 1940s and 1950s was a place where everyone knew their neighbors. Families gathered for church on Sundays. Children played outside until dark. This environment taught Margie the importance of community and privacy.
She spent her formative years in Alabama after her family relocated. The move from Mississippi to Alabama kept her rooted in Southern culture. Both states share similar values: hospitality, family bonds, and respect for tradition.
Her upbringing in these Southern communities likely influenced her later decision to avoid the public eye. In small towns, people value discretion. They don’t air their private business. Margie carried these values throughout her life.
Education and College Years
Margie attended Spring Hill College in Alabama, where she majored in English. This private Jesuit college is known for strong academics and a commitment to service. An English major suggests she appreciated literature, writing, and critical thinking.
College in the late 1960s was a transformative time in America. The Vietnam War divided the nation. The civil rights movement challenged old systems. Music became a voice for change. This was the world Margie entered as a young woman.
It was during these college years that her life would change forever. She would meet a young musician with big dreams and little money.
The Beauty Queen Years
Margie Washichek earned the prestigious title of Miss USS Alabama in 1967. The USS Alabama is a famous World War II battleship docked in Mobile Bay. Serving as its official hostess was a significant honor in Alabama’s social circles.
Her duties included:
- Welcoming visitors to the historic battleship
- Attending local ceremonies and events
- Representing Alabama at official functions
- Meeting with dignitaries and military personnel
As Miss USS Alabama, she became a familiar face in Mobile’s social circles. These were the same circles where Jimmy Buffett performed his early gigs. The music scene and social scene overlapped in Mobile during the late 1960s.
Physical descriptions from that era note she stood about 5 feet 7 inches tall with blonde hair and brown eyes. Her natural grace and Southern charm made her a perfect representative for the battleship’s public relations role.
Meeting Jimmy Buffett
Margie Washichek’s path crossed with Jimmy Buffett in Mobile’s bustling music scene in the late 1960s. Buffett was working hard to establish himself, playing bars and small venues. He performed with folk-rock bands and was developing his unique sound.
The Miss USS Alabama title holder often found herself at events where Buffett performed. Mobile in the 1960s had a vibrant music culture. College students, beauty queens, musicians, and locals all gathered at the same venues. Romance could spark anywhere.
Their connection grew as they spent more time together. Margie watched Buffett work tirelessly on his music. He saw her grace and beauty beyond the pageant title. Both were young, Southern, and navigating uncertain futures.
Interestingly, Buffett was born on December 25, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi—the same birthday and birthplace as Margie. This remarkable coincidence likely created an instant bond between them. They literally shared the same beginning.
Marriage to Jimmy Buffett
Margie Washichek and Jimmy Buffett chose a simple courthouse ceremony for their wedding in 1969. No lavish celebration. No fancy venue. Just two young people committed to building a life together.
Rather than a lavish celebration, they opted for a straightforward ceremony that matched their lifestyle at the time. Buffett’s music career hadn’t taken off yet. Money was tight. A courthouse wedding fit their circumstances perfectly.
Life as a Musician’s Wife
The early years of marriage were challenging. Margie Washichek supported her husband through the difficult early days of his music career. This meant irregular income, late nights, and constant uncertainty about the future.
The couple navigated the uncertain path of a musician’s life together, with Jimmy playing small venues and bars while Margie maintained their household. She took care of daily responsibilities while he chased his dream. This is a common story among musicians’ spouses, but no less difficult.
They moved between cities as opportunities arose. First Mobile, then Nashville. They initially lived in Mobile, Alabama, but soon moved to Nashville, Tennessee, as Jimmy sought to break into the country music scene. Nashville in the early 1970s was the heart of country music. Every aspiring artist wanted to make it there.
The move took Margie away from familiar surroundings. She left behind friends, family, and the Southern comfort of Alabama. Nashville was faster-paced and more competitive. The music industry could be brutal to newcomers.
Supporting a Dream
As Jimmy worked to establish himself in the music scene, Margie adapted to the lifestyle of a musician’s wife, dealing with late nights, tight budgets, and growing demands. She witnessed his struggles firsthand. The rejection. The disappointments. The constant worry about making rent.
But she also saw his talent. She believed in his music when few others did. This period was crucial for Buffett’s development as an artist. He was finding his voice, testing different styles, and building connections in the industry.
During these years, Buffett began writing songs that would later define his career. He was moving away from traditional country music toward the beach-influenced sound that would make him famous. Margie was there for this artistic evolution.
The Divorce
Buffett and Margie divorced in 1972 after three years of marriage. The pressures of fame, long tours, and a busy schedule made life difficult, creating distance between them. By 1972, Buffett’s career was starting to gain momentum. More tours meant more time apart.
The split was quiet and dignified. Their split was quiet and without drama, showing that their decision was mutual. No public fights. No tabloid scandals. They simply recognized that their paths were diverging.
After the divorce, Margie chose to leave the public eye and return to Mississippi. While Buffett continued pursuing fame, Margie returned to her roots. She chose the familiar over the uncertain. Privacy over publicity.
Life After Buffett
Following the divorce, Margie disappeared from public view almost completely. Margie Washichek largely retreated from the public eye and has maintained a low profile, rarely participating in media interviews or public events. This choice set her apart from many celebrity ex-spouses.
Buffett met his second wife, Jane Slagsvol, at the Chart Room bar in Key West while she was on spring break. They married in 1977 in Aspen, Colorado. Jane would become the mother of his three children and his partner for 46 years until his death.
While Buffett’s second marriage thrived and his career exploded, Margie maintained her distance. There is no public record of her having children. Details about her career, relationships, or daily life remain unknown.
Where Is She Now?
As of 2025, Margie Washichek’s whereabouts remain unknown. She has never returned to the spotlight. No recent photos exist. No interviews have surfaced. She successfully accomplished what many find impossible: complete privacy in the age of social media.
Some reports suggest her estimated net worth is around $300,000, though this figure is unverified. In contrast, Buffett’s estate was estimated to be worth $275 million when he passed away in 2023. The financial disparity reflects their different life choices: Buffett built an empire, while Margie built a private life.
Margie’s Legacy and Cultural Impact
Margie Washichek represents something increasingly rare: the choice to remain unknown. In an era dominated by social media and reality television, her decision to maintain a low profile echoes a longing for authenticity that many people find increasingly rare.
Her story highlights important questions about fame, privacy, and relationships:
Personal Choice Matters Not everyone wants fame. Margie had every opportunity to capitalize on her connection to Buffett. She could have written a tell-all book. Given interviews. Started a social media account. She chose none of these paths.
The Hidden Partners Behind many successful artists are partners who supported them before fame arrived. These people often disappear from the narrative once success comes. Margie reminds us of these hidden contributors.
Privacy as Power In a world where sharing everything is normal, Margie’s silence speaks volumes. She proved that you can be connected to fame without being consumed by it.
The Cost of Fame The pressures of Jimmy Buffett’s rising career put a strain on their marriage, creating distance between them. Fame changes relationships. The demands of a growing career can destroy even strong bonds. Margie experienced this firsthand.
Jimmy Buffett’s Later Life and Death
After Margie, Buffett went on to extraordinary success. His 1977 song “Margaritaville” became a cultural phenomenon. He built a business empire including restaurants, resorts, and retirement communities. His fans, known as “Parrotheads,” remained devoted for decades.
Jimmy Buffett passed away at his home in Sag Harbor, Long Island on September 1, 2023, surrounded by family and friends at age 76. He had been fighting Merkel Cell Skin Cancer for four years. Even during treatment, he continued performing, playing his last show in Rhode Island in early July 2023.
Buffett is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jane Buffett, his daughters Savannah Jane and Sarah Delaney, his son Cameron Marley, and his grandson Marley Ray. His passing marked the end of an era in American music and popular culture.
Margie Washichek was not mentioned in his obituary, which is understandable. She was part of his earliest chapter, before the fame and fortune. But she was there during the foundation years, when the dream was just beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Margie Washichek?
She was Jimmy Buffett’s first wife from 1969 to 1972. A former Alabama beauty queen who maintained complete privacy after their divorce.
When did Margie Washichek marry Jimmy Buffett?
They married in 1969 in a simple courthouse ceremony when Buffett was still an aspiring musician struggling to establish his career.
Why did Margie Washichek and Jimmy Buffett divorce?
They divorced in 1972 due to pressures from his growing music career, including long tours and increasing time apart.
Where is Margie Washichek now?
Her current whereabouts are unknown. She has successfully maintained complete privacy since the early 1970s with no public appearances or interviews.
Did Margie Washichek have children?
There is no public record of Margie having children. She has kept all personal details private throughout her life.
Conclusion
Margie Washichek’s story offers a refreshing perspective on fame and relationships. She was there at the beginning of Jimmy Buffett’s journey, supporting him when success was uncertain. When their marriage ended, she made a choice that few would make: complete withdrawal from public life.
Her decision reminds us that not all stories need to be told. Not all connections to famous people need to be exploited. Sometimes the most powerful statement is silence.
In a culture obsessed with sharing, posting, and broadcasting every detail of our lives, Margie Washichek stands as a testament to the dignity of discretion. She lived on her own terms, made her own choices, and created a life beyond the shadow of fame. That might be the most remarkable story of all.
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