The divorce of Ray Kroc marked a significant turning point in his life, signaling the end of a long-standing marriage and the beginning of a new chapter.
His initial spouse, Ethel Fleming, filed legal documents citing irreconcilable differences, and there were rumors of a romantic involvement with Joan Smith, who later became his third wife.
This split showcased the struggles faced by Kroc, a successful entrepreneur, unlike any other person.
Ethel stated that they had numerous difficulties, leading to their separation. Meanwhile, reports suggested that Ray had a romantic relationship with Joan outside of his marriage.
Ultimately, Joan became his third wife, and it is believed that this romantic involvement played a significant role in Ray Kroc’s divorce from his first wife.
Ethel received a substantial settlement, with some sources claiming her net worth was around $10 million at her death.
The Marriage of Ray and Ethel
In 1922, Ray Kroc, who was yet to earn recognition as a renowned businessman, married Ethel Fleming.
The couple, both in their 20s, had courted for nearly three years before getting married. Ray had initially met Ethel while working as a piano player near Paw Paw Lake in Michigan.
Ethel, a resident nearby, was the daughter of hotel proprietors in Paw Paw Lake. Initially, they were friends, but soon their friendship blossomed into love.
However, after nearly four decades of marriage, they decided to end their relationship, and Ray Kroc’s divorce from his wife was finalized in 1961.
“I’m not in the hamburger business.
My business is real estate.” – Ray Kroc pic.twitter.com/qOqDVCwfxQ— Jeet – 🦁 (@JeetMarwadi) July 8, 2023
Ethel Fleming Shared a Daughter with Ray
From her marriage to Ray Kroc, Ethel had a daughter named Marilyn Janet Lynn Kroc.
Marilyn was born on October 15, 1924. As she grew up, Marilyn became an accomplished Equestrian.
In her personal life, Marilyn married twice. Her first marriage was to Sylvester Nordly Nelson, and her second was to Walter James Barg, with whom she remained together until she passed away in 1973.
Unfortunately, Ray Kroc’s only biological child passed away at the age of 48 due to complications from diabetes.
Ethel Fleming’s Demise
The substantial financial outcome of the divorce settlement could be attributed to Kroc’s successful career at McDonald’s during his divorce from his first wife, Ethel Fleming.
On December 2, 1965, her 64th birthday, Ethel Fleming passed away in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA.
Ethel maintained a private life, and the cause of her death remains undisclosed, making her known for leading a private life.
While the exact circumstances surrounding her death remain a mystery, the prevailing belief is that she passed away from natural causes.
Ray’s Second Marriages
Following Ray Kroc’s divorce, he invited his girlfriend Joan to move in with him.
However, Joan was married to Navy Veteran Rollie Smith and had an 11-year-old daughter named Linda.
Under family pressure, Joan declined Ray’s proposal and ended their relationship. Ray went on to marry his second wife, Jane Dobbins Green, in 1963.
Unfortunately, their marriage faced difficulties when Ray resumed his romantic relationship with Joan.
As a result, Ray divorced Jane in 1968 and married Joan Smith, now Joan Kroc. Meanwhile, Ethel chose to remain single until her death.
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The Success Story of the McDonald’s CEO
Ray Kroc, the iconic CEO of McDonald’s, was a well-known entrepreneur worldwide.
He was an ambitious entrepreneur born Raymond Albert Kroc on October 5, 1902, in Oak Park, Illinois, United States.
He joined forces with two brothers, Dick and Mac McDonald, to establish one of the most successful businesses in history.
Kroc’s exemplary life story involves dedication, perseverance, and hard work.
Despite not graduating from high school, Kroc received an honorary degree from Northwestern University in 1973.
His career began as a milkshake blender salesperson, and he eventually founded his company, which distributed milkshake machines to restaurants.
In 1954, Kroc encountered the McDonald brothers, who owned a burger restaurant in San Bernardino, California.
Impressed by their innovative business model, Kroc persuaded them to grant him the rights to open more McDonald’s restaurants.
Kroc assumed the role of President of McDonald’s in 1961. Under his visionary leadership, the company experienced extraordinary growth.
By 1968, McDonald’s had expanded to over 1,000 restaurants worldwide. Kroc retired in 1974 but remained on the board until he passed away in 1984.
