Marilyn Nault was the third wife of Bill Russell, the late legendary American professional basketball player. Marilyn (15th of January 1950 – January 2009) was a businesswoman and got married to Russell in 1996. They remained together until her demise in 2009.
Due to her former husband’s celebrity status, Marilyn Nault came into the news and has kept on making headlines even after her death. Bill Russell is popular for playing as a center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. Get to know more about his late wife, Marilyn Nault.
Summary of Marilyn Nault’s Biography
- Full name: Marilyn Nault
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: 15th of January 1950
- Marilyn Nault’s Age at Death: 59 years old
- Ethnicity: White
- Nationality: American
- Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christianity
- Marital Status: Married
- Marilyn Nault’s Husband: Bill Russel
- Marilyn Nault’s Children: None
- Marilyn Nault’s Parents: Quentin Nault (father) and Helen Nault (mother)
- Siblings: 4
- Marilyn Nault’s Height in Inches: 5 feet 8 inches
- Marilyn Nault’s Height in Centimetres: 172 cm
- Marilyn Nault’s Weight: 60 kg
- Famous for: Being Bill Russel’s former wife
Marilyn Nault Was Born in 1950 and Lived For 59 Years
The third wife of Bill Russel, Marilyn, was born on the 15th of January 1950 in Concordia, Kansas, United States of America. Her parents are Quentin Nault (father) and Helen Nault (mother), and they are US citizens. According to records, growing up was not easy for Nault, but she managed to get through those tough times.
Marilyn was born into a devout Christian family of 7, precisely Catholic, which consisted of a father, mother, and four brothers. She grew up with her parents alongside her siblings in their home in Kansas. However, nothing is known about any of her siblings. Marilyn’s parents have a remarkably strong relationship with God and Jesus Christ and also trained their children on the same path.
Marilyn Nault received her elementary education in a notable Catholic school in Kansas. She was someone who took her education very seriously and made it a priority. The school where she also received her high school education helped in strengthening her relationship and faith in God.
Moreover, Marilyn Nault is a University graduate, but the name of the institution she attended and the course she studied are not public knowledge. Upon graduating from high school, she relocated to Seattle and started working as a jewelry salesperson. She also did a few other jobs before she was able to gain entrance into a university.
The career she pursued after graduating from the university is not publicly known. But, records show that she set up some businesses for herself before she fell in love and married her husband, Bill.
How Long Was Marilyn Nault Bill Russell’s Wife?
Marilyn Nault was Bill Russell’s wife for 13 years. The marriage between Marilyn Nault and Bill Russell happened in 1996. Russell met her when she was working as a salesperson at a jewelry store in Seattle. At this time, Bill was 62 years old while she was 46. The two dated for a period of four years before deciding to take the relationship to the next level.
They exchanged their marital vows in a small ceremony that was attended by their family members and very close friends. Over the next 13 years, Bill and Marilyn lived happily and frequently traveled together until her untimely death in 2009.
Before Nault, There Were Other Women
Bill Russell got married four times to four different women. In addition to having a successful NBA career, the Boston Celtics legend also had a personal life that was full of memorable events. He got married for the first time to his college sweetheart, Rose Swisher Russell, in 1956.
This was his longest marriage, lasting throughout his NBA career, from 1956 to 1973. But despite the length (17 years), things would eventually fall apart; they grew emotionally distant and got divorced. Rose and Bill had three children in the course of their marriage.
In 1977, four years after he divorced his first wife, Bill Russell went on to remarry, and this time it was to Dorothy Anstett, Miss USA Winner of 1968. This was Bill’s shortest marriage and it did not produce any child. Dorothy and Bill Russell got divorced barely after three years, in 1980. It was after their divorce that he met and married Marilyn Nault in 1996.
Following the death of Marilyn, Bill went on to fall in love and marry former professional golfer, Jeannine Russell. They exchanged marital vows on 8th December 2018 when he was 84 years old. Their marriage lasted for the next four years before Bill passed away at the age of 88 in 2022. No children were involved in the marriage until his death. Despite marrying four times, Bill Russell had three children with his first wife only.
Marilyn’s Marriage to Bill Did Not Produce a Child
Marilyn’s 13 years of marriage to Bill Russell did not produce a child. However, she would end up being a stepmother to Bill Russel’s three children from his first marriage to Rose Swisher. Rose and Bill’s children are Kareen, Jacob Russell, and the late William Russell Jr., who died on 25th January 2016 from cancer. Before her death, William had spent some time working in trucking.
Kareen Russell, 62, is a legal and political analyst. She graduated from Georgetown University and Harvard Law School and is currently said to be working with the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights. On his own part, Jacob was born on 5th June 1959. He is married to Sara, and they are based in Washington, D.C., with their two children.
What Did Marilyn Nault Die Of?
Marilyn Nault died of complications from cancer. She passed away in the early hours of 25th January 2009 at the age of 59. Her death came as a surprise as many did not know that she had been in poor health for a long time. It was later revealed, though, that she had spent years prior to her demise battling cancer, which she eventually succumbed to.
Marilyn was buried after a private funeral service in Seattle. Her death led to an outpouring of tributes both from individuals as well as institutions that she and her husband had impacted. Her death was a devastating one for the whole Russell family, including her stepchildren, as they were all saddened by her death.
The Death of Marilyn Nault Affected Bill
Following the tragic death of Marilyn, Bill Russell spent the remaining part of his life fighting cancer. According to the late basketball player, the death of his third wife affected his general health and approach to life. Bill eventually died on the 31st of July 2022 at the age of 88.
FAQs
Who was Bill Russell’s Third Wife?
Bill Russell’s third wife is Marilyn Nault. They were married from 1996 until Marilyn died in 2009.
What was Marilyn Nault’s Cause of Death?
Marilyn Nault’s cause of death was complications arising from cancer. The lady battled cancer for several years before she succumbed to it on 25th January 2009.
What Was Marilyn Nault’s Age?
Marilyn Nault’s age was 59 at the time that she died on the 25th of January 2009. She had been born on the 15th of January 1950 and so passed away ten days after her 59th birthday.
Did Bill Russell Have Kids With His Third Wife?
Bill Russell did not have any kids with his third wife, Marilyn Nault but he did have three children with his first wife, Rose Swisher, whom he was married to from 1956 to 1973. Those three children (daughter Karen Russell and sons William Jr. and Jacob) are his only kids.