Margie Washichek is best known as the first wife of American singer and songwriter Jimmy Buffett. The two were college sweethearts and married in 1969, before Buffett became famous. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1972.
Margie also had a public identity of her own during her college years. She attended Spring Hill College and was named Miss USS Alabama for 1967–68. After her divorce from Buffett, she largely disappeared from public attention.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Margie Washichek |
| Date of birth | Not publicly confirmed |
| Reported birthplace | Pascagoula, Mississippi, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Spring Hill College |
| Known for | Jimmy Buffett’s first wife |
| Title | Miss USS Alabama, 1967–68 |
| Ex-husband | Jimmy Buffett |
| Marriage year | 1969 |
| Divorce | 1972 |
| Children with Jimmy Buffett | None publicly confirmed |
| Profession | Not publicly known |
| Net worth | Not reliably known |
Margie Washichek’s Early Life
Margie Washichek’s date of birth and age have not been publicly confirmed. Some sources report that she was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, but detailed information about her childhood is limited.
The names of her parents and siblings are also not widely reported.
One source states that Margie’s father owned a junkyard called Marina Junk. Scrap materials from the business were reportedly used to help build Product Sound Studio in Mobile, Alabama, where Jimmy Buffett recorded music during his early career.
She Attended Spring Hill College
Margie attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama.
Jimmy Buffett attended Mississippi Southern, now known as the University of Southern Mississippi. Margie and Jimmy reportedly became college sweethearts during this period.
Details about Margie’s subject of study, degree, and graduation date are not publicly available.
Margie Washichek Was Miss USS Alabama
Before becoming known as Jimmy Buffett’s wife, Margie received attention as Miss USS Alabama.
A 1967 newspaper report described her as a Spring Hill College student who had been named Miss USS Alabama. She was selected to serve as the famous battleship’s official hostess for 1967–68.
The title was connected with the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile.
Some modern sources describe Margie as a former beauty pageant participant. However, the contemporary report more specifically identifies her role as Miss USS Alabama and the ship’s official hostess.
Her Connection to Jimmy Buffett’s Early Music
Margie was present during an important early period of Jimmy Buffett’s music career.
Jimmy recorded some of his first music at Product Sound Studio. The studio operated on the second floor of the Cantrell Photography Studio building in Mobile.
It was reportedly established by John Edd Thompson, Milton L. Brown, Travis Turk, and Nick Panioutour. Some materials used to create the studio came from Marina Junk, the business reportedly owned by Margie’s father.
Margie frequently visited the studio and reportedly helped book recording sessions for Jimmy.
At the time, Buffett was still trying to establish himself as a musician. Margie and Jimmy were engaged before his career began gaining momentum.
Margie Washichek and Jimmy Buffett’s Marriage
Jimmy Buffett was eventually signed by songwriter and producer Buzz Cason. Margie and Jimmy then moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where Buffett continued pursuing music.
They married in 1969.
Jimmy was still far from the wealthy musician and businessman he later became. His early Nashville career included working at Billboard magazine and releasing his first album.
Money was a problem during the marriage. Buffett later recalled being broke and said that one of the few valuable possessions they had was a Mercedes that he could not afford to maintain.
Margie reportedly supported Jimmy’s interest in music, but their marriage did not last.
Why Did Margie and Jimmy Buffett Divorce?
Jimmy Buffett later admitted that he was immature during his marriage to Margie.
During this period, he also reportedly became interested in a young woman named Edith, known as Eddie. She worked at an upscale clothing store called The Looking Glass. Buffett reportedly spent time outside the store playing guitar and improvising lyrics around her name.
Available information does not establish that Jimmy and Eddie had an affair, so their connection should not be described as a confirmed relationship.
Jimmy eventually filed for divorce from Margie. Their divorce was finalized in September 1972, ending approximately three years of marriage.
Buffett reportedly left their Mercedes with Margie. He later said she deserved it for putting up with what he described as his shallow and immature attempt at being a husband.
Jimmy Buffett Wrote About Their Marriage
Jimmy discussed this period of his life in his 1998 book A Pirate Looks at Fifty.
He recalled signing a record deal, getting married, moving to Nashville, working for Billboard, releasing an album, experiencing financial problems, getting divorced, and moving to Key West.
His comments provide information about the marriage from Jimmy’s point of view. Margie’s own public account of their relationship is not widely available.
After the divorce, Jimmy moved to Key West, Florida, which later became closely connected with his music and public image.
Did Margie Washichek Have Children With Jimmy Buffett?
There are no publicly confirmed children from Margie Washichek and Jimmy Buffett’s marriage in the available information.
Jimmy later had children with his second wife, Jane Slagsvol. Those children are not Margie’s children.
Public information also does not clearly establish whether Margie had children through any later relationship.
Who Was Jimmy Buffett?
Jimmy Buffett was an American singer, songwriter, author, and businessman. He was born on December 25, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
He became famous for music built around coastal living, travel, relaxation, and island culture. His best-known songs include Margaritaville, which became closely connected to his public identity.
His career eventually expanded beyond music. Buffett wrote books and became involved in restaurants, entertainment, licensing, real estate, and other businesses.
Margie knew Buffett years before he reached this level of fame and financial success.
Jimmy Buffett’s Second Marriage
After his marriage to Margie ended, Jimmy built a long relationship with Jane Slagsvol.
Reports say Jimmy first met Jane in the early 1970s when she was a University of South Carolina student visiting Key West during spring break.
Jimmy and Jane married in 1977.
They later experienced a separation but eventually reconciled. They remained married until Jimmy’s death.
Jimmy and Jane had two daughters, Savannah Jane Buffett and Sarah “Delaney” Buffett. They also adopted a son, Cameron Marley Buffett.
Jimmy Buffett’s Death
Jimmy Buffett died on September 1, 2023, at age 76.
He had been living with Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare form of skin cancer.
At the time of his death, he was still married to Jane Slagsvol. His marriage to Margie had ended more than five decades earlier.
Margie Washichek’s Career
Margie’s professional career is not publicly known.
Although she helped arrange some of Jimmy’s early studio sessions, there is not enough information to say that she worked professionally in the music industry.
No reliable public information identifies a later employer, company, profession, or business connected to her.
Margie Washichek’s Net Worth
Margie Washichek’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
There is little public information about her career, income, property, or investments, so assigning a specific net worth would be speculative.
Jimmy Buffett became extremely wealthy later in his life through music and business ventures. However, Margie and Jimmy divorced in 1972, long before much of his later commercial success.
Where Is Margie Washichek Now?
Margie’s current location and activities are not publicly established.
She largely disappeared from public attention after her divorce from Jimmy. There is little reliable information about her later relationships, career, residence, or recent public appearances.
No later marriage or partner can be confirmed from the available information.
Is Margie Washichek on Social Media?
There are no widely known verified social media accounts belonging to Margie Washichek.
No confirmed public Instagram, Facebook, X, or other major social media profile has been identified.
Interesting Facts
- Margie Washichek was Jimmy Buffett’s first wife.
- She attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama.
- She was named Miss USS Alabama for 1967–68.
- She served as an official hostess connected with the USS Alabama.
- Margie and Jimmy Buffett were reportedly college sweethearts.
- Her father reportedly owned Marina Junk.
- Margie reportedly helped book some of Jimmy’s early recording sessions.
- Jimmy recorded early music at Product Sound Studio in Mobile.
- Margie and Jimmy moved to Nashville as he pursued his music career.
- They married in 1969.
- Their marriage lasted approximately three years.
- Their divorce was finalized in September 1972.
- Jimmy later admitted that he had been immature during their marriage.
- There are no publicly confirmed children from their marriage.
- Margie’s later career and personal net worth are not reliably known.
- Her current location and activities are not publicly established.
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