Marguerite Whitley is the first wife of former NFL player and actor O.J. Simpson, a woman whose life is much more than just a single famous name. She was born and grew up in San Francisco, California, met Simpson when she was a teenager, created a family with him when he became famous, and then made her life on her own terms.
Here is everything you should know about the biography of Marguerite Whitley, her net worth, kids, marriages, and her life in 2026.
Marguerite Whitley, Quick Bio Table
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Marguerite L. Whitley |
| Date of Birth | March 20, 1949 |
| Age (2026) | 77 years old |
| Birthplace | San Francisco, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Education | Galileo High School, University of Southern California (connection) |
| Profession | Past Retail Manager, Entrepreneur |
| Famous For | First wife of O.J. Simpson |
| First Marriage | O.J. Simpson (1967–1979) |
| Second Marriage | Rudolph Lewis (1986–1991) |
| Third Marriage | Anthony Thomas (1992–present) |
| Children | Arnelle Simpson, Jason Simpson, Aaren Simpson (deceased) |
| Net Worth (2026) | ~$3 million |
| Social Media | None |
Childhood and Early Years
Marguerite Whitley was born on March 20, 1949, in San Francisco, California. She was raised in a working class area and went to Galileo High School, where she met a young ambitious athlete, Orenthal James Simpson.
Her upbringing was plain and down-to-earth. She was known to be shy and secretive, a quality that would mark the rest of her life. Even before O.J. turned into a household name, Marguerite was merely a teenager with commonplace ambitions.
Little is known about her parents or siblings. She has never shared much of her personal history, and that choice has never changed.
Marguerite Whitley Meets O.J. Simpson
This is one of the most curious, and probably forgotten, parts of her story.
Marguerite did not meet O.J. face-to-face at first. She initially connected with him through his good friend Al Cowlings, and the two were said to have dated briefly before she and O.J. got closer. Their friendship grew as O.J. joined City College of San Francisco, and it was Marguerite who actually convinced him not to quit and move to Arizona State, but to stay one more year instead.
That decision altered history. Simpson later joined the University of Southern California (USC), where he emerged as one of the greatest college football players of all time and was awarded the Heisman Trophy in 1968.
In other words, Marguerite Whitley helped lay the very foundation of the O.J. Simpson legend, a fact that mainstream reporting barely ever mentions.
Marriage to O.J. Simpson (1967–1979)
Marguerite and O.J. were married on June 24, 1967, in San Francisco. She was only 18, and O.J. was a first year student at USC.
She told Barbara Walters in one of her last known public appearances in 1995 on ABC’s 20/20, “Those were the good old days, we were kids, we did not have to answer to our parents anymore.”
Marriage Timeline
| Year | Event |
| 1967 | Married O.J. Simpson in San Francisco |
| 1968 | Daughter Arnelle born, O.J. wins Heisman Trophy |
| 1970 | Son Jason born |
| 1977 | Daughter Aaren born (September 24) |
| 1979 | Divorced in March, Aaren passed away in August |
The couple spent a majority of their marriage in Amherst, New York, where O.J. played eight seasons with the Buffalo Bills. As Simpson enjoyed life in the spotlight, Marguerite stayed home, cared for their children, and maintained a very low profile.
The more O.J. became famous, the larger the distance between them grew. He was increasingly unfaithful. Marguerite confessed to Walters that she had instructed her attorneys to prepare divorce documents as far back as the mid-1970s, but she kept putting it off.
Fame was later described as their greatest problem. O.J. Simpson himself admitted this, saying to People magazine, “The cost of fame was our greatest. My wife is a quiet person, but we could not walk the street without attracting attention.”
They divorced in March 1979.
The Tragedy of Aaren Simpson
Five months after the divorce, Marguerite experienced one of the most crushing losses a parent can ever face.
On August 26, 1979, their youngest daughter Aaren Simpson, just 23 months old, drowned in the family’s swimming pool. She was rushed to the hospital but never recovered. Aaren died on August 28, 1979.
This tragedy is rarely mentioned in detail in articles about Marguerite Whitley. It is a wound she has kept private for more than 40 years, and it is her quiet strength in carrying this loss that makes her story so deeply human.
Life After the Divorce
Marguerite did not fade away in sorrow. She rebuilt.
After the divorce was finalized, she sued O.J. Simpson for defaulting on the divorce settlement. In 1986, they settled out of court. This legal action showed that Marguerite was not a passive figure, she stood up for herself and secured her financial future.
Her Later Marriages
After her divorce from Simpson, Marguerite remarried twice:
- Rudolph Lewis (1986–1991), a transit supervisor.
- Anthony Thomas (1992–present), a furniture salesman who accompanied her to the 1995 Barbara Walters interview.
Her marriage to Anthony Thomas appears to be her most enduring relationship, lasting more than 30 years.
Marguerite Whitley and the O.J. Simpson Trial (1995)
When the O.J. Simpson murder trial shook the nation in 1995, Marguerite’s name resurfaced in the spotlight, not by her own choice, but because media outlets wanted her perspective.
A former LAPD officer alleged that he had responded to a domestic violence call at the Simpson home in the mid-1970s. Marguerite denied this.
In her Barbara Walters 20/20 interview in 1995, she made her position clear: O.J. had never physically abused her throughout their marriage. She attended some court hearings to support her children, Arnelle and Jason, and she was firm in her belief in his innocence, saying, “He is not like that, O.J. would not do such a thing.”
That interview was her last public appearance. She has not been seen since.
Marguerite Whitley’s Net Worth in 2026
Marguerite Whitley’s estimated net worth is approximately $3 million as of 2026, built through several sources:
| Source | Details |
| Divorce Settlement | Out-of-court settlement with O.J. Simpson (1986) |
| Career Earnings | Business and retail management |
| Property Investments | Real estate and savings |
| Financial Discipline | Years of prudent money management |
She has never relied on celebrity relationships or publicity to build her finances, which is one of the most notable aspects of her life story.
Her Children: Arnelle, Jason, and Aaren
Marguerite had three children with O.J. Simpson.
Arnelle L. Simpson (born December 4, 1968) is the eldest. She remained close to her father throughout his life and gave testimony in his favor at a parole hearing in 2007.
Jason L. Simpson (born April 6, 1970) has lived a private life, staying mostly out of the media spotlight, much like his mother.
Aaren Lashone Simpson (born September 24, 1977, died August 28, 1979) was the youngest. She passed away at just 23 months old after drowning in the family pool, a loss Marguerite has carried with quiet dignity ever since.
Marguerite has maintained a close relationship with Arnelle and Jason throughout their lives and was present during parts of the trial to support them through an incredibly difficult time.
Read more: Lisa Thorner: The Real Story Behind Damon Wayans’ Ex-Wife in 2026
Where Is Marguerite Whitley Now? Life in 2026
By 2026, Marguerite Whitley is believed to be 77 years old and living a quiet, private life in the United States, most likely in California.
What is known about her life today:
- She has no social media presence on Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), or any other platform.
- She has given no public interviews since the 1995 Barbara Walters appearance.
- She has been married to Anthony Thomas for more than 30 years.
- She spends her time with her children and grandchildren.
- She has devoted her life to personal peace, family, and health.
On April 10, 2024, O.J. Simpson died at age 76 after a struggle with prostate cancer. Marguerite never publicly responded to his death, staying true to the private life she has always chosen.
Why the Story of Marguerite Whitley Matters
Most articles reduce Marguerite Whitley to a footnote, “the first wife of O.J.” But that framing misses the full picture.
She is a woman who shaped the early professional life of one of the most recognized athletes in American history. She raised three children largely on her own, under public scrutiny. She endured the devastating loss of a toddler and continued forward. She took legal action when her settlement was ignored. She stood up for her truth on national television when the media pushed a false narrative. And she built financial independence without ever selling her story.
In a culture obsessed with fame and exposure, Marguerite Whitley made a harder and far less common choice. She lived life entirely on her own terms.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marguerite Whitley
Who is Marguerite Whitley?
Marguerite Whitley is an American woman known as the first wife of O.J. Simpson. They married in 1967 and divorced in 1979. Beyond that, she is a mother, a businesswoman, and an example of quiet strength.
How old is Marguerite Whitley in 2026?
She was born on March 20, 1949, making her 77 years old in 2026.
How many times has Marguerite Whitley been married?
Three times, to O.J. Simpson (1967–1979), Rudolph Lewis (1986–1991), and Anthony Thomas (1992–present).
What is Marguerite Whitley’s net worth?
She is estimated to have a net worth of around $3 million, earned through divorce settlements, retail management, and smart investments.
Did Marguerite Whitley think O.J. Simpson was guilty?
No. In her 1995 Barbara Walters interview on 20/20, she stated that she believed O.J. was innocent and that he had never been violent toward her.
What happened to Marguerite Whitley’s daughter Aaren?
Aaren Simpson was born in September 1977 and drowned in the family swimming pool in August 1979 at the age of 23 months. It was a devastating tragedy that came just months after Marguerite and O.J. divorced.
Does Marguerite Whitley have social media?
No. She has no social media presence and has not given a public interview since 1995.
Where is Marguerite Whitley now?
She is believed to be living privately in the United States, most likely in California, with her husband Anthony Thomas and close to her children and grandchildren.
