Margie Washichek is best known as the first wife of legendary singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. She married the “Margaritaville” star in 1969, long before he became a cultural icon. Their marriage lasted only three years, ending in divorce in 1972. While Jimmy Buffett went on to achieve worldwide fame, Margie chose a quiet life away from the spotlight. She was a Southern beauty queen who captured the heart of a young musician before his rise to stardom. Unlike many celebrity ex-wives, Margie never sought attention or shared her side of the story publicly. Her life remains largely private, making her a mysterious figure in Buffett’s early biography. This article explores everything we know about Margie Washichek, from her early days in Mississippi to her life after the divorce.
Margie Washichek Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Margie Washichek |
| Also Known As | Margie Buffett (during her marriage) |
| Born | December 25, 1946 (reported) |
| Birthplace | Pascagoula, Mississippi, USA (reported) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Spring Hill College (reported) |
| Beauty Titles | Miss USS Alabama, Azalea Trail Maid |
| Modeling | Gayfer’s Teen Board model |
| Spouse | Jimmy Buffett |
| Marriage Date | 1969 |
| Divorce Date | 1972 |
| Children | None |
| Net Worth | Estimated $250,000 (not confirmed) |
| Current Status | Private life; whereabouts unknown |
| Known For | First wife of Jimmy Buffett; early supporter of his music career |
| Public Life | Stayed out of the spotlight after divorce |
| Interviews | Never gave major public interviews about Jimmy Buffett |
Early Life and Background
Margie Washichek was born on December 25, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi. She grew up in a coastal Southern town that shaped her easygoing and graceful personality.
During her younger years, she earned the title of Miss USS Alabama, serving as a hostess for the battleship museum in Mobile Bay. She was also an Azalea Trail maid and a Gayfer’s Teen Board model, showing her early involvement in public activities. Margie attended Spring Hill College, where she was studying when she met Jimmy Buffett. Her father owned a business called Marina Junk, which supplied scrap materials to local projects. Despite her beauty queen status and college education, much of Margie’s early life remains undocumented, with few public records available about her family and upbringing.
Beauty Pageant and Miss USS Alabama Title
Margie Washichek was well-known in Mobile, Alabama, for her beauty and community involvement before she married Jimmy Buffett.
She held the title of Miss USS Alabama, which was a notable honor in the area. In this role, she served as a hostess for the battleship museum in Mobile Bay. She was also an Azalea Trail Maid, a prestigious position for young women in Mobile, and a Gayfer’s Teen Board model. These activities made her a recognized local figure. When she married Jimmy Buffett in 1969, a newspaper article noted that “Mobilians will remember Margie” for these very achievements, showing that her pageant and community work had made a lasting impression on the city.
Margie Washichek and Jimmy Buffett relationship
Margie Washichek and Jimmy Buffett met in Mobile, Alabama, during the late 1960s.
Margie was a frequent visitor at Product Sound Studio, a recording studio located above a dentist’s office. She came in to make an appointment for her then-fiancé, who was a student at Mississippi Southern. When Jimmy Buffett walked into the studio, his charismatic smile lit up the room, and the studio owner immediately hit it off with him. Margie was not just Jimmy’s girlfriend—she was his biggest supporter. She believed in his talent and encouraged him to pursue music. A newspaper article from that time described her as Jimmy’s “number one fan,” explaining that she would listen to his songs first and give him honest feedback. Their shared love for music and her unwavering support formed the foundation of their relationship.
Who is Jimmy Buffett?
Jimmy Buffett was an American singer-songwriter, author, and businessman who became famous for his island escapism lifestyle brand.
Born on December 25, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi, he grew up in Mobile, Alabama. He attended Auburn University before transferring to the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a degree in history and journalism in 1969. Buffett began his music career in Nashville as a country artist, working as a reporter for Billboard magazine while trying to sell his songs. His first album, “Down to Earth,” was released in 1970. Over the decades, he built a massive following known as “Parrotheads” and created a business empire that included restaurants, hotels, and the famous Margaritaville brand. He passed away in September 2023, leaving behind a legacy as one of music’s most successful and beloved performers.
Their 1969 Marriage
Jimmy Buffett and Margie Washichek tied the knot in 1969, the same year Jimmy graduated from college and signed his first music contract.
A vintage newspaper article titled “A Winning Team” announced their marriage, describing Margie as a Mobile beauty and Jimmy as an exciting new talent. The newlyweds moved to Nashville so Jimmy could pursue his music career with Russell-Cason Music Company. In the article, Margie shared her role in Jimmy’s career: “I’m fairly critical, so Jimmy plays his songs for me first and I tell him what I think of them. I also lend him moral support, believing that he is very talented”. Their marriage began with hope and excitement, but the pressures of Jimmy’s struggling music career and their young age would soon put their relationship to the test.
Jimmy Buffett’s Early Career
Jimmy Buffett’s early career was marked by struggle and determination.
After graduating in 1969, he moved to Nashville to become a country artist, working as a reporter for Billboard magazine while trying to get his songs recorded. His first album, “Down to Earth,” was released in 1970 but did not achieve commercial success. Before Nashville, he had busked on the streets of New Orleans and played small gigs in Mobile and Biloxi. His music didn’t fit neatly into country or pop categories, making it hard for radio stations to play his songs. During this difficult period, he was married to Margie, and they lived modestly while he chased his dreams. The stress of financial struggles and his growing obsession with music took a toll on their relationship, eventually leading to their separation.
Why Did They Divorce?
Jimmy Buffett and Margie Washichek divorced in 1972 after just three years of marriage.
Jimmy later admitted that their marriage was a “shallow and immature attempt at being a husband”. The couple faced financial hardship, and Jimmy was “flat broke” during their time together. He also developed an obsession with another woman named Edith, which further strained their relationship. In September 1972, Jimmy filed for divorce and left Margie with their Mercedes vehicle, saying she “deserved it for putting up with my shallow and immature attempt at being a husband”. While the exact reasons for their split remain private, the combination of career struggles, financial stress, and personal differences contributed to the end of their short marriage.
Did They Have Children?
No, Jimmy Buffett and Margie Washichek did not have any children together during their marriage.
Their union produced no offspring, and this fact is consistently reported across multiple sources. Jimmy Buffett later had three children with his second wife, Jane Slagsvol: Savannah Jane, Sarah Delaney, and Cameron Marley. Margie’s life after the divorce remains private, and there is no public record of her having children with anyone else. The absence of children from their marriage meant that once the divorce was finalized, there was no ongoing connection between Margie and Jimmy through co-parenting responsibilities. This may have contributed to Margie’s ability to maintain a completely private life away from the Buffett celebrity spotlight.
Life After the Divorce
After her divorce from Jimmy Buffett in 1972, Margie Washichek retreated from the public eye and lived a very private life.
There is little documented information about what she did after the split. She did not remarry publicly, and there are no records of her having children. While Jimmy moved to Key West, Florida, to find his musical identity and eventually achieve massive success, Margie chose a different path—one of anonymity and quiet living. She largely disappeared from public view, avoiding interviews and never sharing her side of the story. Some sources suggest she remained in the Southern United States, but specific details about her post-divorce life are scarce. Her deliberate choice to stay out of the spotlight stands in stark contrast to her ex-husband’s very public life.
Where Is Margie Washichek Now?
As of 2026, the exact whereabouts and current life situation of Margie Washichek remain unknown to the public.
She has maintained strict privacy since her divorce from Jimmy Buffett over five decades ago. Various celebrity biography websites note that her current location is not publicly documented. Some sources suggest she may still be living in the Southern United States, possibly in Alabama or Mississippi, but these are unconfirmed. Unlike many celebrity ex-spouses who write books or give interviews, Margie has never spoken publicly about her marriage to Jimmy Buffett. Her decision to remain completely private has made her one of the most mysterious figures in music history. Whether she remarried, pursued a career, or simply lived a quiet life remains a mystery that she has chosen not to share with the world.
Her Career and Public Life
Margie Washichek’s career and public life were relatively brief and mostly connected to her role as a beauty queen and her marriage to Jimmy Buffett.
Before marrying Jimmy, she held the title of Miss USS Alabama and was an Azalea Trail maid. She also worked as a model for Gayfer’s Teen Board and was a student at Spring Hill College. During her marriage, she served as Jimmy’s “number one fan” and informal music critic, listening to his songs and offering feedback. After the divorce, there is no public record of her pursuing any professional career or maintaining a public presence. Some sources suggest she may have been a housewife during her marriage, but what she did afterward is unknown. Margie’s story is one of a woman who chose privacy over publicity, stepping away from the spotlight entirely.
Estimated Net Worth And Financial life
Margie Washichek’s estimated net worth is around $250,000, according to celebrity biography sources.
This figure is modest compared to the massive fortune her ex-husband Jimmy Buffett accumulated over his decades-long career. Buffett’s estate was estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars at the time of his death in 2023. However, it’s important to note that Margie’s net worth is not officially confirmed, as she has never publicly disclosed her financial information. Since she divorced Jimmy in 1972—long before he became wealthy—she would not have received any significant settlement from his later success. Her financial status remains private, and any reported figures should be treated as estimates rather than verified facts.
Legacy and Lasting Influence
Margie Washichek’s legacy is unique because it is defined by what she chose not to do—she never sought fame, never gave interviews, and never capitalized on her connection to a superstar.
Instead, she remains a quiet footnote in the story of one of music’s most colorful figures. Her role in Jimmy Buffett’s early life was significant: she was his first love, his first wife, and his earliest supporter when no one else believed in his music. Without her encouragement during those struggling Nashville years, Buffett’s story might have unfolded differently. Her decision to disappear from public view after the divorce has only added to her mystique, making her a subject of curiosity for Buffett fans and celebrity historians alike.
Facts About Margie Washichek
- Full Name: Margie Washichek.
- Known For: She was the first wife of singer Jimmy Buffett.
- Marriage: She married Jimmy Buffett in 1969.
- Divorce: They divorced in 1972 after about three years of marriage.
- Children: She and Jimmy Buffett had no children together.
- Education: She reportedly attended Spring Hill College.
- Beauty Title: She is often described as Miss USS Alabama.
- Early Life: She was also reportedly an Azalea Trail Maid.
- How They Met: They met in Mobile, Alabama, in the late 1960s.
- Role in His Career: She supported Jimmy Buffett early in his music career.
- Public Life: She stayed out of the spotlight after the divorce.
- Interviews: She has never given major public interviews about Jimmy Buffett.
- Current Whereabouts: Her current location is not publicly known.
- Net Worth: Estimated around $250,000, but this is not officially confirmed.
- Buffett’s Fortune: She divorced him before he became rich and famous.
- Privacy: She is known for living a very private life.
- Birth Details: Her exact birth date and birth place are not widely confirmed.
- Legacy: She remains a mysterious but important part of Jimmy Buffett’s early life.
Conclusion
Margie Washichek’s story is one of quiet dignity in the shadow of enormous fame. She married Jimmy Buffett when he was a struggling musician with nothing but a dream, and she believed in him when no one else did. Their marriage lasted only three years, but those years were formative for Buffett’s career. After the divorce, Margie chose a life of complete privacy, never speaking publicly about her famous ex-husband or seeking any attention from his success. While Buffett went on to become a cultural icon, Margie remained an enigma. Her legacy is not one of fame or fortune, but of a woman who valued her privacy above all else. For Buffett fans, she represents a mysterious chapter in his life—the first love who helped launch a legend but chose to remain forever in the background.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jimmy Buffett’s son adopted?
Yes. Jimmy Buffett and his second wife, Jane Slagsvol, had two biological daughters, Savannah and Sarah Delaney, and an adopted son, Cameron Marley Buffett. Cameron was adopted in 1994.
What happened to Jimmy Buffett’s first wife?
Jimmy Buffett’s first wife was Margie Washichek. They married in 1969 and divorced in 1972; after the divorce, Washichek largely stayed out of the public spotlight, and reliable information about her later life is limited.
What song saved Jimmy Buffett’s life?
There is no well-established evidence that a specific Jimmy Buffett song literally “saved his life.” “Come Monday” is sometimes associated with important moments in his personal life, but it was written for his future wife, Jane Slagsvol, rather than being a song credited with saving his life.
What were Jimmy Buffett’s last words?
Reports about Jimmy Buffett’s final words vary. A widely reported account says that his family understood his final message as “It’s been a good life,” although accounts of his final moments are based on recollections rather than an official transcript. Buffett died on September 1, 2023, surrounded by family and friends.
Was Jimmy Buffett a billionaire when he died?
No. Jimmy Buffett was not generally reported as a billionaire when he died. His estate was estimated at about $275 million, although the value of his business interests and estate can vary depending on how assets are calculated.
How many biological children did Jimmy Buffett have?
Jimmy Buffett had two biological children, daughters Savannah Buffett and Sarah Delaney Buffett. He also had an adopted son, Cameron Marley Buffett, giving him three publicly documented children in total.
