Margie Washichek remains one of the more mysterious figures tied to a rock legend’s early life. She married Jimmy Buffett just as he was finding his voice in music. Their union was brief. After they divorced, Margie slid out of the public eye. Very little is known about her later life.
Yet her story is compelling, full of promise, contradictions, and unanswered questions. She is the kind of figure whose influence whispers in the early chapters of a famous life, then retreats into shadow. This article pieces together what we do know, what is uncertain, and how Margie relates to Buffett’s later marriages.
Early Life & Background
Margie Washichek was born on December 25, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi. She grew up in the South (Mississippi / Alabama region) and attended Spring Hill College, Mobile, Alabama, where she studied English. She also competed in beauty pageants and is sometimes described as having won Miss U.S.S. Alabama around 1967 when she was in college. Her family background is less well documented; some sources mention her father having a business.
Meeting and Marriage to Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett met Margie in the late 1960s when both were young. Some sources say they knew each other while in school or through mutual acquaintances in Mississippi/Alabama. In 1969, Jimmy and Margie married at a time when Buffett was still building his music career. Margie is often described as having supported Jimmy in the early days, helping him as he made songwriting, performing, and moving toward Nashville, etc. They did not have children together.
Divorce and What Happened After
The marriage lasted about three years. In 1972, Jimmy Buffett filed for divorce; the marriage officially ended that year. The specific reasons for the divorce are not clearly documented. Some sources mention incompatibility, financial struggles, Jimmy’s focus on his music and touring, or difficult early career pressures.
Jimmy Buffett’s Other Marriage(s): Context for Comparison
After splitting from Margie, Jimmy Buffett met Jane Slagsvol. They married in 1977. Together, Jimmy & Jane had three children: two daughters (Savannah Jane and Sarah Delaney) and an adopted son (Cameron Marley). Their relationship had ups and downs; in the early 1980s, they separated for some time due to lifestyle differences (partying, etc.) but reconciled later. They remained married until Jimmy died in 2023.
What We Don’t Know and Conflicting Claims
Because Margie Washichek mostly stayed out of the media and did not give many interviews, there are conflicting or weakly sourced claims:
Her net worth is variously estimated in very low amounts or not at all; some sites give very minimal figures, which are unreliable. Some sources claim she remarried, but credible sources do not confirm that. Claims about her career after the divorce (teaching, arts, philanthropy) are often speculative, with little solid documentation.
Current Status / Recent Information
Margie Washichek has kept a very low profile. Few, if any, public appearances, interviews, or social media presence can be reliably attributed to her. No firm record of her being involved in public philanthropy or high-visibility projects can be confirmed. Several biographical and celebrity gossip sites attempt to fill gaps, but many of their details are unverified or contradicted by other sources.
Conclusion
Margie Washichek plays an important but quiet role in the early chapter of Jimmy Buffett’s life. She was his first wife during his early struggles and formative years as a musician. Their marriage lasted only a few years and produced no children, and after their divorce, Margie chose privacy over publicity. Over the decades, she has stayed largely out of the limelight. She remained a quieter force. Her life journey sets an example of strong courage.
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