When people think about McDonald’s and itJane Dobbins Greens history, they usually remember Ray Kroc, the man who turned a small burger restaurant into a worldwide business. Some people also know about Joan Kroc, his third wife, who gave away millions of dollars to charity. But there is another woman in Ray’s life who hardly anyone talks about. Her name is Jane Dobbins Green, and she was Ray Kroc’s second wife for five years.
Jane’s story is different from the usual tales of fame and fortune. She was a quiet woman who chose to stay away from cameras and newspapers. Even though she was married to one of America’s most powerful businessmen, she never wanted to be famous. This article tells the story of Jane Dobbins Green her early life, her marriage to Ray Kroc, and what happened after their divorce.
Personal Info
| Full Name | Jane Dobbins Green |
|---|---|
| Born | November 22, 1911 |
| Birthplace | Walla Walla, Washington, USA |
| Died | August 7, 2000 (Age 88) |
| Parents | Warren David Dobbins and Grace Myrtle Duncan Frechette |
| Career | Secretary (worked for John Wayne) |
| Famous For | Second wife of Ray Kroc (McDonald’s founder) |
| Marriage to Ray Kroc | 1963-1968 (5 years) |
| Children | None |
| Second Husband | Paul D. Whitney (married 1984) |
| Resting Place | Westwood Memorial Park, Los Angeles |
Growing Up in Small-Town America
Jane Dobbins Green was born on November 22, 1911, in Walla Walla, a small town in Washington State. Her parents were Warren David Dobbins and Grace Myrtle Duncan Frechette. Life was simple back then, and Jane grew up in a modest home.
Her childhood had both happy and sad moments. Jane had a sister named Eula Grace, but sadly, her sister died when she was only five months old. This early loss must have been hard for young Jane. Her parents also went through a divorce when she was still a child, which was not very common in those days.
After the divorce, Jane’s mother married Theodore Frechette in 1922, giving Jane a stepfather. Her father, Warren, passed away in 1946 at the age of 75, and her mother died in 1949. Both of Jane’s parents were gone before she married Ray Kroc.
Growing up with these challenges probably made Jane a stronger person. She learned to be independent and to keep her feelings private. These qualities stayed with her throughout her whole life.
Working in Hollywood
Before Jane met Ray Kroc, she had an interesting career. She worked as a secretary, which was a respected job for women in the early and mid-1900s. But Jane was not just any secretary—she worked for John Wayne, one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood history.
Working for someone as famous as John Wayne meant that Jane was around celebrities and important people all the time. She saw the glamorous side of Hollywood but never tried to become famous herself. She was happy doing her job behind the scenes.
This job showed that Jane was smart, trustworthy, and professional. John Wayne would not have hired just anyone to be his secretary. Jane must have been very good at her work. Her time in Hollywood also taught her how to deal with famous people and how to handle the pressure that comes with being around celebrities.
Meeting Ray Kroc
Jane met Ray Kroc in the early 1960s. At that time, Ray was already a successful businessman who was building McDonald’s into a fast-food empire. He had just ended his first marriage to Ethel Fleming after 39 years together.
Ray and Jane probably met through friends or at social events in Los Angeles. Ray was attracted to Jane’s calm and gentle nature. While Ray was always busy with work and under a lot of stress, Jane was peaceful and easygoing. She brought balance to his intense life.
Their relationship moved quickly, and they got married in 1963. Jane became the second Mrs. Kroc and moved into a beautiful home in Woodland Hills, California. From their house, they could even see one of the McDonald’s restaurants below.
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Five Years as Mrs. Kroc
Being married to Ray Kroc meant being married to a man who was always thinking about business. McDonald’s was growing fast during the 1960s, and Ray spent most of his time working. He traveled often and had many meetings with business partners.
Jane supported Ray quietly during these years. She took care of their home and gave him a peaceful place to relax when he came back from work. Unlike Ray’s other wives, Jane did not try to be involved in the business or appear in public with him very often. She preferred to stay in the background.
However, their marriage had problems from the start. Ray had met another woman named Joan Smith before he divorced his first wife. Even though Ray married Jane, he still had feelings for Joan. This made their marriage difficult.
Jane and Ray did not have any children together during their five years of marriage. As time went on, it became clear that Ray’s heart was not fully in the relationship.
The Divorce and What Happened Next
In 1968, after only five years of marriage, Ray and Jane got divorced. The reason was simple—Ray wanted to be with Joan Smith. Just one year later, in 1969, Ray married Joan, who became his third and final wife.
The divorce must have been painful for Jane, but she handled it with dignity. She did not talk to newspapers or write books about her marriage. She simply moved on with her life quietly.
After the divorce, Jane completely disappeared from public view. She did not give interviews or appear at events. For many years, people did not know what happened to her or where she was living.
Then, in 1984, Jane found love again. She married a man named Paul D. Whitney. This second marriage was very different from her first. It was quiet, peaceful, and away from any spotlight. Jane and Paul lived together happily for many years.
Jane’s Final Years
Jane spent her final years in Los Angeles, California, living a calm and private life with her husband Paul. She was far away from the world of big business and fame that she had experienced with Ray Kroc.
On August 7, 2000, Jane passed away peacefully at the age of 88. The cause of death was natural—she simply died of old age after a long life. She was buried at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles, the same place where many famous people are buried.
Jane’s second husband, Paul Whitney, died eight years later in 2008. They are buried together, showing that their love lasted until the end.
Why Jane’s Story Matters
Jane Dobbins Green is often called “the forgotten wife” because many people do not know about her. When films or books tell the story of McDonald’s and Ray Kroc, they usually focus on his first wife Ethel and his third wife Joan. Jane is rarely mentioned.
Even the famous 2016 movie “The Founder,” which tells the story of how Ray Kroc built McDonald’s, does not include Jane at all. The film shows Ray’s first and third marriages but completely skips over his five years with Jane. This means that many people who watch the movie have no idea that Jane even existed.
But Jane’s story is important for several reasons. First, it reminds us that not everyone wants to be famous, even when they are connected to famous people. Jane could have used her connection to Ray Kroc to become well-known, but she chose privacy instead.
Second, Jane’s story shows us the human side of business success. While Ray Kroc was building a billion-dollar company, he was also going through personal struggles and relationship problems. Jane was part of that story, and her presence in Ray’s life during those five years was meaningful.
Finally, Jane’s quiet strength and grace are inspiring. She went through a difficult divorce but did not become bitter or angry. She found happiness again and lived the rest of her life on her own terms.
Common Mistakes About Jane
Because Jane lived such a private life, there are many mistakes and mix-ups about her on the internet. One common mistake is that people confuse her with Jane Green, the famous British-American author who writes romance novels. These are two completely different people, but their similar names cause confusion.
Some websites also have wrong information about Jane’s birth date, her career, or other details of her life. This happens because there are not many reliable sources of information about her. She did not leave behind many interviews or photographs, so people sometimes make guesses or repeat incorrect information.
Lessons from Jane’s Life
What can we learn from Jane Dobbins Green’s story? Here are a few important lessons:
1. Privacy is valuable. In today’s world where everyone shares everything on social media, Jane’s choice to live privately seems unusual. But her story shows that there is power in keeping some parts of your life to yourself.
2. You can find happiness more than once. After her divorce from Ray, Jane did not give up on love. She found happiness with Paul Whitney and had many good years with him.
3. Not everyone wants fame. Jane worked for John Wayne and married Ray Kroc, two of the most famous men in America. But she never used these connections to make herself famous. She was happy living a quiet life.
4. Strength comes in different forms. Jane did not fight for attention or make big public statements. But her quiet dignity and the way she handled difficult situations showed great inner strength.
Conclusion
Jane Dobbins Green lived for 88 years, from 1911 to 2000. Her life spanned almost the entire 20th century, a time of enormous change in America. She saw two world wars, the rise of Hollywood, and the birth of the fast-food industry.
For five years, she was married to one of America’s most famous businessmen. But unlike many people who find themselves connected to fame, Jane chose to step back into the shadows. She valued peace, privacy, and personal happiness more than public recognition.
Today, Jane is buried in a quiet cemetery in Los Angeles, next to her second husband Paul. Her name rarely appears in history books or McDonald’s stories. But her life was meaningful and full, even if it was lived away from the spotlight.
Jane Dobbins Green reminds us that behind every famous person, there are other people whose stories matter too. Her quiet grace and private strength make her a woman worth remembering, even if she is often forgotten.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who was Jane Dobbins Green?
Jane Dobbins Green was the second wife of Ray Kroc, the businessman who made McDonald’s famous around the world. She was born in 1911 and worked as a secretary before her marriage. She is known for living a very private life away from cameras and media.
2. How long were Jane and Ray Kroc married?
Jane and Ray Kroc were married for five years, from 1963 to 1968. Their marriage ended in divorce when Ray wanted to marry Joan Smith, who became his third wife.
3. Did Jane have any children with Ray Kroc?
No, Jane and Ray Kroc did not have any children together during their five years of marriage.
4. What did Jane do before marrying Ray Kroc?
Before her marriage, Jane worked as a secretary. She reportedly worked for John Wayne, the famous Hollywood actor, which shows she was professional and trusted by important people.
5. What happened to Jane after her divorce from Ray Kroc?
After her divorce in 1968, Jane lived a quiet life away from public attention. In 1984, she married Paul D. Whitney, and they stayed together until her death in 2000. She passed away peacefully at age 88 in Los Angeles and is buried at Westwood Memorial Park.
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