Deborah Chan
Marilyn Lovell, the wife of Apollo 13 commander James Lovell, lost her wedding ring down the drain while showering the day before her husband's mission. She kept the news of the lost ring to herself, not wanting to worry her husband before his flight. Despite this bad omen, the Apollo 13 spacecraft and its crew safely returned to Earth. But did Marilyn ever get her wedding ring back?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Did Marilyn Lovell lose her wedding ring? | Yes |
| When did she lose it? | The day before the Apollo 13 blastoff |
| Where did she lose it? | In the shower, down the drain |
| Did she get it back? | Yes |
| Why did she not tell her husband? | She didn't want to worry him before the flight |
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What You'll Learn
Marilyn Lovell lost her wedding ring before the Apollo 13 mission
Marilyn Lovell, wife of Apollo 13 commander James Lovell, lost her wedding ring before the Apollo 13 mission. The Lovells had been high school sweethearts and got married in 1952 after James graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Marilyn had transferred from Wisconsin State Teachers College to George Washington University in Washington, D.C., to be closer to James during his time at Annapolis. They went on to have four children: Barbara, James, Susan, and Jeffrey.
Marilyn Lovell lost her wedding ring the day before the Apollo 13 blastoff, on April 10, 1970. She was in the shower when the ring slipped off her finger and went down the drain. She kept the news of the lost ring to herself, later telling NBC News: "For some reason or another, the astronaut wives just never discussed anything that would worry their husbands before they went on a flight... I mean, we kept everything to ourselves." She saw the incident as a portent that things would go wrong during the mission.
Indeed, the Apollo 13 mission faced critical failure en route, but the spacecraft and its crew returned safely to Earth. James Lovell went on to become a retired astronaut, naval aviator, test pilot, and mechanical engineer. Marilyn Lovell died at the age of 93 in 2023, having endured the stresses of military life and the emotional rigors of being an astronaut's wife.
Interestingly, the lost wedding ring was recovered, though it is unclear how or when. The incident was not added to the 1995 film "Apollo 13" for dramatic effect.
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Marilyn kept the news of the lost ring to herself
Marilyn Lovell, the wife of Apollo 13 commander James Lovell, lost her wedding ring down the drain while taking a shower the day before the Apollo 13 mission's blastoff. She kept the news of the lost ring to herself, telling NBC News, "For some reason or another, the astronaut wives just never discussed anything that would worry their husbands before they went on a flight. I mean, we kept everything to ourselves."
Marilyn saw the incident as a portent that things would go wrong. Lovell's first impression of the actor to portray him in the film Apollo 13 was that Kevin Costner would be a good choice due to the physical resemblance, but Tom Hanks was cast in the role. Hanks visited the Lovells at their home in Texas and flew with James Lovell in his private airplane to prepare for the role.
Marilyn Lovell was an active member of the Astronaut Wives Club, a group that supported and promoted NASA and the wives of NASA astronauts. She endured the sexist coverage of the day, with one profile noting, "Marilyn Lovell is cute, active and efficient." She accompanied her husband on his assignments as a naval pilot and flight instructor and raised their four children largely by herself.
The Apollo 13 mission, commanded by James Lovell, encountered a critical failure en route and had to loop around the Moon before returning safely to Earth. James Lovell named a lunar mountain, Mount Marilyn, in honour of his wife.
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Marilyn and Jim Lovell first met at Juneau High School
Marilyn Lovell, born Marilyn Lillie Gerlach, first met her husband, Jim Lovell, when she was 14 and he was 16. They met at Juneau High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they both attended school. Marilyn was the youngest of five children. After graduating from high school, Marilyn attended Wisconsin State Teachers College in Milwaukee, while Jim attended the University of Wisconsin. However, she later transferred to George Washington University in Washington, D.C., to be closer to Jim, who was a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis.
The couple continued to date throughout their college years and married in 1952, shortly after Jim's graduation. They had four children together: Barbara, James, Susan, and Jeffrey. In addition to her role as a mother, Marilyn was also actively involved in supporting her husband's NASA career and the wider space community. She was a member of the Astronaut Wives Club, which provided support and counsel to the wives of astronauts.
Marilyn's connection to Jim and their shared history is further highlighted by a heartwarming incident. Before one Christmas, while he was away, Jim sent her a mink coat with a card inscribed, "To Marilyn — from the Man in the Moon." On another occasion, he named a lunar mountain "Mount Marilyn," immortalizing her in space exploration history.
Marilyn's ring was recovered, but it is unclear if she ever got it back.
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Marilyn transferred colleges to be closer to Jim
Marilyn Lovell, born Marilyn Lillie Gerlach, was the wife of James Arthur Lovell Jr., the commander of the Apollo 13 spacecraft. Marilyn and Jim first met when they were 14 and 16, respectively, at Juneau High School in Milwaukee. They started dating in high school, and Marilyn later transferred colleges to be closer to Jim.
At the time, Marilyn was attending Wisconsin State Teachers College in Milwaukee, while Jim was at the University of Wisconsin. Marilyn transferred to George Washington University in Washington, D.C., to be near Jim while he studied at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. They continued dating throughout high school and remained together even as they pursued their higher education at different institutions.
Marilyn's decision to transfer colleges reflects her dedication to their relationship and her willingness to make sacrifices for the sake of their closeness. It is a testament to the strength of their bond that she was willing to uproot her educational pursuits to be closer to him. This decision likely played a significant role in the trajectory of their relationship and their future together.
Following their time in college, Marilyn and Jim wed in 1952, the same year that Jim graduated. Their wedding took place in Annapolis, just two hours after his graduation ceremony. They went on to have four children together: Barbara, James Lovell III, Susan, and Jeffrey.
Marilyn's transfer to George Washington University brought her closer to Jim during a formative period in their relationship. It demonstrated her commitment and set the stage for their subsequent marriage and lifelong partnership. Their story is one of enduring love and mutual support, with Marilyn providing a stable home life while Jim pursued his career in the military and, later, as an astronaut with NASA.
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Marilyn was an active member of the Astronaut Wives Club
Marilyn Lovell, the wife of Apollo 13 commander James Lovell, was an active member of the Astronaut Wives Club. The club was an informal group that provided counselling and support to other astronaut wives. Marilyn promoted her husband's NASA career and supported him through his various missions and training. She also endured the sexist media coverage of the day, which included reductive descriptions of her as "cute, active and efficient".
Marilyn met her husband while they were both in high school and they continued to date throughout. She transferred to George Washington University to be closer to him while he attended the US Naval Academy. They married in 1952 after he graduated.
Marilyn was known for her stoicism during the Apollo 13 mission, which was memorialised in the 1995 film of the same name. She kept the news of her lost wedding ring to herself, later telling NBC News:
> For some reason or another, the astronaut wives just never discussed anything that would worry their husbands before they went on a flight. I mean, we kept everything to ourselves.
Marilyn Lovell died on August 27, 2023, at the age of 93.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Marilyn Lovell lost her wedding ring down the drain in the shower the day before her husband's Apollo 13 mission.
No, she kept the news of the lost ring to herself. She told NBC News, "for some reason or another, the astronaut wives just never discussed anything that would worry their husbands before they went on a flight".
It is unclear whether Marilyn Lovell got her wedding ring back. However, one source mentions that the ring was recovered.
