Marguerite Whitley Is OJ Simpson’s First Wife and Mother of 3 of His Children

Marguerite Whitley and OJ Simpson spent 12 years as a couple and welcomed three children. Their marriage had its fair share of challenges, but their daughter's death changed their lives forever.

Marguerite Whitley was married to actor and former football player OJ Simpson for over a decade. During their marriage, the pair welcomed three children.

OJ Simpson's first wife worked as an interior designer and owned a mauve house on San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, which was later foreclosed after court proceedings.

Following the foreclosure, Whitley was rarely seen at the property. Also, she never responded to interview requests, and calls to her family members went unanswered. However, her mail was consistently collected from the mailbox at the house.

But that wasn't the only property in Whitley's name. Whitley also held ownership of a duplex, and, as indicated by real estate expert Carole Gillie, this property was also included in the foreclosure proceedings.

Marguerite Whitley Married Her Childhood Friend

Whitley and Simpson shared a deep connection as childhood friends, and their bond eventually led to marriage on June 24, 1967, while they were still students at USC. The wedding took place in their hometown in San Francisco. At the time, Whitley was 18, and Simpson, the former athlete, was 19.

Interestingly, Whitley had previously dated Simpson's friend, Cowlings, and according to Joe Bell, a high school friend, their friendship was inseparable, describing them as "joined at the hip."

Bell revealed that during Cowlings' relationship with Whitley, he sought Simpson's assistance to "help him out" and "tell her things." The interaction ultimately led to a romantic relationship between the two.

Whitley and Simpon's relationship had its fair share of challenges, just like any marriage. Simpson's demanding career, particularly during football season, often kept him away from home, alone in a luxurious Buffalo suburb residence. Meanwhile, Whitley, who occasionally spelled her first name with a "q" instead of a "g," maintained their lavish Brentwood Park home.

Chief John B. Askey, a local police officer, further affirmed this statement, revealing that his department had never received any reports of domestic violence from the pair.

The five-bedroom mansion, purchased by her ex-husband for $650,000, boasted amenities such as a guesthouse, a pool, and courts for tennis and paddle tennis. In this fancy setting, Whitley took care of their three children: Arnelle, Jason, and Aaren Simpson.

Despite Simpson's public image as a family man, his prolonged absences from home and reported infidelity suggested otherwise. In 1974, Whitley, a Catholic, voiced her concerns, lamenting the loss of their private life amidst the challenges their marriage faced, saying:

"I have been shoved out of the way, pushed, and stepped on by more than one beautiful woman. I admit I'm jealous."

OJ Simpson's First Wife's Journey through Divorce and Losing Their Daughter

Whitley and Simpson were married for 12 years, a period that witnessed both joy and sorrow. The exes finalized their divorce in 1979, coinciding tragically with the accidental drowning of their daughter, Aaren, in their home's pool.

It was a heart-wrenching chapter that changed their lives forever. During this devastating period, Whitley's former spouse told reporters that football helped him cope with Aaren's death.

While OJ Simpson experienced violence in his second marriage to Nicole Brown, to whom he pleaded not guilty for her death, a different narrative unfolded in his records with his first wife, Whitley. According to Whitley's lawyer, there were no signs of violence in their marriage. He stated:

"There's nothing in the record, and nothing at all ever came to my attention. He was just a jovial, happy man. He was as normal as anybody."

Chief John B. Askey, a local police officer, further affirmed this statement, revealing that his department had never received any reports of domestic violence from the pair.

However, according to legal documents related to the divorce, Whitley's former husband once accused her of threatening him physically, a conflicting note in the otherwise harmonious portrayal of their relationship.

Even after finalizing their divorce, the drama continued. In June 1980, Marguerite Whitley reportedly refused to move out of their Brentwood home and threatened to physically abuse Simpson and call the cops on him.

Their marriage began falling apart in the early 1970s, leading to temporary separations; however, the legal documents didn't indicate the issues. According to the lawyer, the former couple's marriage weakened as Simpson became more famous.

Furthermore, from the public interviews that the exes did, Whitley's ex-husband envisioned her in the traditional role of a wife, responsible for looking after their home and caring for their children. Amidst these expectations, signs of trouble surfaced.

In 1973, Whitley took a big step, requesting her lawyer to initiate divorce proceedings. However, this pivotal move to end their marriage didn't go as planned, as she later called off the process.

A few years after finalizing their divorce, Whitley accused Simpson of not meeting his financial responsibilities. In 1981, she took legal action, suing him for failing to pay $26,000, a part of their divorce agreement. The issue was eventually resolved through a settlement. Following this, Whitley began receiving $1,500 monthly in child support.

OJ Simpson's Wife Remarried Twice

After the divorce, Whitley went on to live a quiet and private life. She found love again with Rudolph Lewis, a transit supervisor. Records indicate they married in July 1986 but later parted ways, finalizing their divorce in April 1991.

Still, Whitley didn't give up on love; she embarked on another marital journey. On April 3, 1992, she entered her third marriage with Anthony Thomas, who was employed as a furniture sales representative.

Marguerite Whitley's life unfolded in chapters of love, challenge, and resilience, from her marriage to Simpson, legal battles, the heartbreaking loss of her daughter, the foreclosure of her properties, and multiple remarriages.

She navigated life's complexities with unwavering determination, showcasing her ability to rise above different challenges.