Marguerite whitley simpson 20/20 interviews

Who is O.J. Simpson’s ex-wife, Marguerite Whitley?

OJ SIMPSON made history as an NFL running back, broadcaster, and actor, but his success was overshadowed by his controversial personal life, including a trial – and acquittal – for the murders of his second wife and her friend, Ron Goldman.

Simpson passed away from prostate cancer on April 10, , surrounded by family and friends, including his children from his first marriage to Marguerite Whitley.

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Who is OJ Simpson's ex-wife, Marguerite Whitley?

Marguerite Whitley may not be a household name, but she is best known as being OJ Simpson's first wife.

Not much is known of Whitley's early life, only that she was born and raised in Los Angeles, California.

Marguerite whitley simpson 20/20 interviews Hailey Bieber claps back at divorce rumors with new photo of husband Justin. Opt-out of personalized ads. According to the New York Times , a few years after divorcing Simpson, Marguerite married a transit supervisor named Rudolph Lewis in While many people tangentially involved with the case have gone on to become celebrities ahem, the Kardashians or regular talking heads on TV such as Marcia Clark and Mark Fuhrman , Marguerite Simpson mostly stayed away from the media during the trial.

She attended Galileo High School before earning a degree at the University of Southern California in

Whitley and Simpson had met in high school, and were first introduced as a result of her dating Simpson's close friend, Al Cowlings.

The duo began dating in and wed while they were both still college students.

They got married on June , when Simpson was just 19 years old.

Whitley, born on March 20, , was just 18 years old at the time of their nuptials.

In , Simpson, a senior, earned the Heisman Trophy, the Walter Camp Award, and the Maxwell Award, becoming one of the most decorated collegiate football players at the time.

He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills and signed what was then the largest contract in professional sports history: $, over five years.

Marguerite whitley simpson 20/20 interviews youtube The records noted that she "threatened him with physical abuse, libel, and slander and to call the police. However, once Simpson reportedly met his second wife, Nicole Brown, while he was still married to Whitley in , their relationship began to crumble. Arnelle remained close to her father and even managed his finances until his death in April The couple tied the knot in , though their marriage was relatively short-lived, and they divorced in

For his career, Simpson, Whitley, and their family moved to New York, settling in the Amherst neighborhood.

While the couple lived a lavish lifestyle, their relationship had its fair share of ups and downs.

OJ Simpson looked frail and unrecognizable using walking stick in final pictures before dying from cancer aged 76

Simpson's infidelity, ego, and overall immaturity led Whitley to file for divorce in the mids, but she eventually called it off for the sake of their children.

However, once Simpson reportedly met his second wife, Nicole Brown, while he was still married to Whitley in , their relationship began to crumble.

Whitley and Simpson ultimately separated and began living in separate homes in

Whitley filed for divorce again, and the duo finalized their divorce in March

Whitley reportedly received a $26, settlement annually, along with alimony and $1, monthly child support payments.

While Whitley has cited numerous reasons for ending their marriage, Simpson also went on record during a interview with People magazine.

“The price of fame was our biggest problem,” O.J. said, as reported by Vogue.

Marguerite whitley simpson 20/20 interviews today During that same interview, she also stated that she believed Simpson to be innocent of murdering Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman. Marguerite and O. She believed O. Whitley did notably attend OJ's trial , sitting next to their surviving children.

“My wife is a private person, yet we can't walk down the street without causing a commotion," he added, referring to Whitley.

Did they have any children together?

Marguerite Whitley and OJ Simpson were only married for 12 years but managed to welcome three children during their relationship.

The couple were parents to:

  • Arnelle L.

    Simpson, born on December 4,

  • Jason Lamar Simpson, born on April 21,
  • Aaren Lashone Simpson, born in September

In a tragic turn of events, the couple's youngest child, daughter Aaren, died on Monday, August 27, , at just 23 months old.

She passed away at the UCLA Medical Center eight days after she was initially pulled out of the family's swimming pool, unconscious.

Arnelle remained close to her father and even managed his finances until his death in April

She's also appeared in several documentary series, including the series OJ: Trial of the Century, and reportedly encouraged her father to write his infamous book, If I Did It.

Jason trained in the Army and Navy Academy and made a living as a professional chef.

Simpson later had two children with his second wife, Nicole Brown, including daughter Sydney Brooke, born in , and son Justin Ryan, born in

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Where is Marguerite Whitley today?

Like OJ Simpson mentioned, Marguerite Whitley preferred a life out of the spotlight.

After the duo divorced, Whitley ended up marrying a transit supervisor named Rudolph Lewis.

The couple tied the knot in , though their marriage was relatively short-lived, and they divorced in

On April 3, , Whitley married a furniture sales representative named Anthony Thomas.

Still, she couldn't escape the shadow of her first husband, at least during interviews with the media.

Whitley shot down rumors of abuse or aggression – on OJ's part – during a January interview on 20/20, as reported by Vogue.

Eunice simpson Simpson later had two children with his second wife, Nicole Brown, including daughter Sydney Brooke , born in , and son Justin Ryan, born in For his career, Simpson, Whitley, and their family moved to New York, settling in the Amherst neighborhood. Simpson passed away from prostate cancer on April 10, , surrounded by family and friends , including his children from his first marriage to Marguerite Whitley. Then in , she married a furniture sales representative named Anthony Thomas.

Whitley told Barbara Walters that she would be "willing to testify" that OJ had never hit her during their relationship.

“If he did, he would have got a frying pan upside his head,” she said.

"There was just no way that I would allow that to happen to me," she added.

During that same interview, she also stated that she believed Simpson to be innocent of murdering Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman.

"He's just not like that," she said.

Whitley did notably attend OJ's trial, sitting next to their surviving children.

Aside from the 20/20 interview, she never publicly spoke about OJ or their relationship, and all but disappeared from the public eye following the trial.

Whitley currently resides in California and has a home in Fresno.

Over the years, she's amassed a hefty net worth, thanks in part to her settlement, investments, and inheriting a family business.

Her net worth is currently in the $3 million range.

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