Happy Rockefeller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Happy Rockefeller
|
|
|---|---|
Happy Rockefeller
|
|
| Wife of the Vice President of the United States | |
| In office August 9, 1974 – January 20, 1977 |
|
| Preceded by | Betty Ford |
| Succeeded by | Joan Mondale |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Margaretta Large Fitler
June 9, 1926 Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, US |
| Died | May 19, 2015 (aged 88) Pocantico Hills, New York, US |
| Spouses | Dr. James Slater Murphy (m. 1945-1963, divorced) Nelson Rockefeller (m. 1963-1979, his death) |
| Children | James B. Murphy II Margretta Harrison Murphy Carol Slater Murphy Malinda Fitler Murphy Mark Rockefeller Nelson Rockefeller, Jr. |
Margaretta Large Fitler Murphy Rockefeller (born June 9, 1926 – died May 19, 2015), known as Happy Rockefeller, was an important American public figure. She was the wife of Nelson Rockefeller, who served as the 41st Vice President of the United States and also as the Governor of New York. Happy Rockefeller was the Second Lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977.
Contents
Happy Rockefeller's Early Life
Happy Rockefeller was born Margaretta Large Fitler. Her mother was Margaretta Large Harrison, and her father was William Wonderly Fitler, Jr. Her family was quite wealthy. She got the nickname "Happy" when she was a child, and it stuck with her throughout her life. She was also a great-great-granddaughter of a famous Union general named George Meade, who was a commander in the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War.
Her Marriages and Family
Happy Rockefeller was married twice. Her first husband was Dr. James Slater Murphy. He was a scientist who studied viruses and was a friend of Nelson Rockefeller. They got married on December 11, 1945, and later divorced on April 1, 1963. They had four children together:
- James B. Murphy II
- Margaretta Harrison Murphy
- Carol Slater Murphy
- Malinda Fitler Murphy
About a month after her divorce, on May 4, 1963, she married Governor Nelson Rockefeller. He had also recently divorced his first wife. Happy and Nelson Rockefeller had two sons:
- Nelson Rockefeller, Jr. (born 1964)
- Mark Rockefeller (born 1967)
Before they got married, Happy had worked in Governor Rockefeller's office. Their marriage was a big topic of discussion at the time. People were very interested because both of them had recently divorced. Some people thought it might make it harder for Nelson Rockefeller to become president in the 1964 election. A Republican official from Michigan even said that the quick divorces and remarriage might not be popular with voters.
Public Service and Charity Work
Happy Rockefeller was also involved in many important activities. In 1971, she became the chairwoman of the board for the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. This center is a place where people can enjoy music, dance, and theater. In 1991, President George H. W. Bush chose her to be a public delegate to the United Nations. This meant she helped represent the United States in discussions with other countries.
Later Life and Legacy
Happy Rockefeller was a breast cancer survivor. She had surgery for breast cancer in 1974, just two weeks after Betty Ford, who was the First Lady at the time, had the same operation. Happy Rockefeller passed away on May 19, 2015, at the age of 88, after a short illness.
Related pages
Images for kids
-
Happy and Nelson Rockefeller campaigning in Florida, August 1968
