Who Was Lillian Disney? I have always been fascinated with Walt Disney and his wife, Lillian Disney. This fascination grew recently because a fellow homeschooling family is doing an entire unit on Walt Disney World. One of the books their 4th grader has been reading on her Kindle is called “Who Was Walt Disney?” and she was telling me all sorts of fun facts about Mrs. Disney!
I had no idea Lillian Disney lived to the age 98. When she got to Los Angeles in the early 1920’s, she started working for a man by the name of Walter E. Disney, working on his animation cells. Two years later, Walt and Lillian were married!
She was married to Walt until his death in 1966, and then she survived another 31 years. I can’t even begin to imagine the changes Lillian saw take place within the Disney empire during that time. She saw Cinderella and Snow White become the first Disney princesses. Pixar, the Disney offshoot that created such films as Toy Story and Monsters, Inc. began a decade before her death. And everything in between!
Lillian Disney did remarry after Walt’s death, a mere 3 years after in fact. She remained married until her second husband’s death in 1981 and then resumed the use of the last name “Disney.”
I have lots more to share about Lillian Disney, so keep an eye on my blog, www.familyfindsfun.com in the coming weeks for more on this fascinating “woman behind the man.”
How interesting! I love reading about Walt & Lilly. I bet it was interesting for her to see all the changes to her husband’s company after his death.
I love that book! My DS is reading it as well.
It is really interesting! You know what they say – behind every good man is a GREAT woman and I believe it!