Marie-France Ward is best known as the third and longtime wife of late American actor Fred Ward. The couple reportedly married in 1995 and remained together until Fred died in May 2022. Their marriage lasted about 27 years.
Marie-France generally stayed away from the spotlight, although she sometimes joined her husband at movie premieres. She also attracted public attention in 2013 when she filed for divorce from Fred but withdrew the filing less than a month later after they resolved their problems.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Marie-France Ward |
| Reported full name | Marie-France Boisselle |
| Date of birth | Not publicly confirmed |
| Birth year | Reportedly between 1947 and 1950 |
| Nationality | Reportedly American |
| Known for | Being Fred Ward’s third wife |
| Marital status | Widowed |
| Husband | Fred Ward |
| Marriage | Reportedly 1995–2022 |
| Biological children with Fred | None reported |
| Stepson | Django Ward |
| Profession | Not reliably confirmed |
Marie-France Ward’s Early Life
Little reliable information is available about Marie-France Ward’s early life. Some sources give her full name as Marie-France Boisselle and report that she was born in the United States between 1947 and 1950.
However, her exact birthday, age, and birthplace have not been publicly confirmed.
Information about her parents and siblings is also not widely available. Marie-France appears to have kept her personal and family background private.
Her Education and Career
There is no reliable public information about where Marie-France attended school or whether she went to college.
Her professional background is also unclear. Some online profiles describe her as a businesswoman, but details about a company, job, or business career are not publicly established.
For this reason, her profession should not be treated as confirmed.
Who Was Fred Ward?
Fred Ward was an American actor known for playing strong and tough characters in movies and television. He was born on December 30, 1942, in San Diego, California.
Before becoming an actor, Fred served in the U.S. Air Force. He also reportedly worked as a lumberjack, short-order cook, and boxer.
His acting career lasted more than four decades. Some of his best-known projects include Escape from Alcatraz, The Right Stuff, Tremors, Henry & June, and The Player. He later appeared in the television series True Detective.
Fred was married three times. Marie-France was his third and longest-term wife.
Marie-France and Fred Ward’s Marriage
Marie-France Ward and Fred reportedly met in the early 1990s. They married in 1995 and remained husband and wife for about 27 years.
Marie-France did not become a regular Hollywood personality because of the marriage. Instead, she generally kept a low profile while occasionally appearing alongside Fred at entertainment events.
Their marriage continued until Fred’s death in 2022.
She Filed for Divorce in 2013
Marie-France Ward filed for divorce from Fred Ward in August 2013 at the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Reports about the filing said she cited irreconcilable differences and requested spousal support.
The divorce did not go ahead.
Less than a month after filing, Marie-France requested that the case be dismissed. Fred later explained that they had resolved their issues and withdrawn the divorce paperwork.
At the time, Fred said that after 18 years of marriage, they were still very much in love.
The couple stayed together for the rest of Fred’s life.
Marie-France and Fred Ward’s Public Appearances
Although Marie-France Ward preferred a private life, she occasionally accompanied Fred to Hollywood premieres.
On August 22, 2001, the couple attended the premiere of Summer Catch in Westwood, California.
They were together again at the Abandon premiere at Paramount Studios in Hollywood on October 14, 2002. Photographs from the event showed Marie-France and Fred posing together.
On April 28, 2004, they attended the premiere of 10.5 at Laemmle Monica Theater in Santa Monica.
Another documented appearance came on August 8, 2011, when Marie-France accompanied Fred to the premiere of 30 Minutes or Less at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
These appearances are among the better-documented parts of Marie-France’s public life.
Does Marie-France Ward Have Children?
Marie-France Ward and Fred Ward are not reported to have had biological children together.
However, Marie-France became stepmother to Fred’s son, Django Ward.
Fred had Django during his previous marriage to his second wife. Reports say Fred named his son after jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt.
Fred spoke publicly about taking fatherhood seriously and being committed to raising his son.
Fred Ward’s Death
Fred Ward died on May 8, 2022, at the age of 79.
His publicist confirmed his death later that month. Fred’s family did not publicly disclose his cause of death.
Some reports have given San Diego, California, as his place of death, but the initial announcement reportedly kept the location private as well.
Fred requested that memorial tributes be made through donations to the Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center.
Marie-France and Fred’s son, Django, were among the family members he left behind.
Some secondary reports state that Fred was cremated and that his ashes were given to Marie-France, although this detail is not as well established as the announcement of his death.
Marie-France Ward’s Net Worth
Marie-France Ward’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
Some websites estimate that she is worth between $1 million and $3 million. However, there are no publicly available financial records supporting this figure.
Fred Ward was also widely reported to have had an estimated net worth of around $3 million. Reports have claimed that Marie-France inherited part of his estate after his death, but details of the inheritance are not publicly clear.
These figures should therefore be treated as estimates rather than confirmed financial information.
Where Is Marie-France Ward Now?
Marie-France has remained largely outside the public spotlight, especially following Fred Ward’s death.
There is little reliable public information about her current work, residence, or daily life. No new marriage or relationship has been publicly confirmed from the available information.
Is Marie-France Ward on Social Media?
Marie-France does not appear to maintain a widely known verified public social media presence.
There are no confirmed Instagram, Facebook, X, or other major social media accounts publicly associated with her in the available information.
Interesting Facts
- Marie-France Ward was Fred Ward’s third wife.
- Her full name has been reported as Marie-France Boisselle.
- Her exact birthday has not been publicly confirmed.
- She reportedly married Fred Ward in 1995.
- Their marriage lasted approximately 27 years.
- Marie-France filed for divorce in August 2013.
- She cited irreconcilable differences, according to reports.
- She withdrew the divorce filing less than a month later.
- Fred said the couple had resolved their issues.
- Marie-France and Fred remained married until his death.
- They are not reported to have had biological children together.
- Marie-France is the stepmother of Fred’s son, Django Ward.
- She occasionally attended Hollywood premieres with Fred.
- Fred Ward died on May 8, 2022, at age 79.
- Marie-France has generally kept her personal life away from public attention.
- Her exact profession and personal net worth have not been reliably confirmed.
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