Who is Marilyn Kroc Barg? The Life of Ray Kroc’s Daughter

When people hear the name Kroc, they think about McDonald’s and fast food. But there is another person in the Kroc family whose story is important. Marilyn Kroc Barg was the daughter of Ray Kroc, the man who made McDonald’s famous around the world. While her father built a big business, Marilyn chose a different life. She wanted to help people and make the world better.

Quick Bio

Fact	Detail
Full Name	Marilyn Janet Lynn Kroc
Date of Birth	October 15, 1924
Place of Birth	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Date of Death	September 11, 1973
Age at Death	48 years old
Parents	Ray Kroc and Ethel Janet Fleming
Marriages	Sylvester Nordly Nelson (1949), Walter James Barg (1960)
Children	None
Known For	Helping others and charity work
Net Worth at Death	About $600,000

Growing Up in Chicago

Marilyn Janet Lynn Kroc was born on October 15, 1924, in Chicago, Illinois. She was the only child of Ray Kroc and his first wife, Ethel Janet Fleming. As a little girl, Marilyn lived a simple life with her parents. They were not rich at that time. Her father was still trying to find success in business.

During her childhood, Marilyn Kroc Barg saw her father work very hard. Ray Kroc sold paper cups and milkshake machines before he found McDonald’s. This taught Marilyn that hard work is important. She learned to never give up on her dreams.

As she grew up, Marilyn found things she loved. She really liked horses and she also loved art. These interests stayed with her all her life.

Her Parents

Her father, Ray Kroc, was born on October 5, 1902. In 1954, he visited a small hamburger restaurant in California owned by two brothers named Richard and Maurice McDonald. Ray liked how fast their restaurant was. He asked the brothers to let him open more restaurants like theirs. Ray Kroc made McDonald’s grow from one small restaurant to a huge company. He was the president of McDonald’s from 1955 to 1968.

Marilyn’s mother was Ethel Janet Fleming. She lived a quiet life compared to her famous husband. Ray and Ethel met in 1919 and got married in 1922. Before marriage, Ethel was an actress in silent films. After marrying Ray, Ethel stopped acting to take care of Marilyn. Ray and Ethel stayed married for almost forty years but divorced in 1961.

Love for Horses

One big part of Marilyn’s life was her love for horses. When she was young, she felt a strong connection with horses. She made horses a big part of her life. She didn’t just ride horses. She learned how to breed them and show them.

Marilyn Kroc Barg loved two types of horses most. These were Arabian horses and American Saddlebreds. Both are beautiful horses. She learned everything about taking care of horses. For Marilyn, horses were not just a hobby. They were her passion. Working with horses made her very happy.

This love for horses showed what kind of person Marilyn Kroc Barg was. She cared about animals and nature. She followed her own heart instead of just focusing on the family business.

Her Marriages

When Marilyn Kroc Barg was 24 years old, she married Sylvester Nordly Nelson on April 27, 1949. Sylvester was a soldier in World War II. But their marriage had problems. After some years together, they decided to divorce in the 1950s.

After her first marriage ended, Marilyn found love again. In 1960, she married Walter James Barg. Walter was born on May 3, 1920, in Evanston, Illinois. He had a job in administration. This marriage seemed happy and strong. Walter and Marilyn liked helping others. They worked together on charity projects.

Marilyn Kroc Barg stayed married to Walter until she died in 1973. After Marilyn died, Walter lived for eleven more years. He died on June 17, 1984, at age 64. They stayed together until the end, which shows they had a good marriage.

Did She Have Children?

Many people ask if Marilyn had any children. From what we know, Marilyn did not have children. She was married two times, but no children were born. This means Ray Kroc did not have grandchildren from his daughter. Without children, she had more time for her charity work and her horses.

Love for Art and Helping Others

Marilyn Kroc Barg also loved art. She liked to collect paintings and other artwork. She supported art in her community. Marilyn wanted other people to enjoy art too. She gave some of her art collection to museums so more people could see and enjoy the art.

Many people remember Marilyn only as Ray Kroc’s daughter. But her charity work was very important. She spent a lot of time and money helping people who needed it. She specially cared about families with sick children. Marilyn gave money to help doctors study diseases like diabetes. She also helped Catholic churches and community centers.

Health Problems and Death

Sadly, Marilyn Kroc Barg had serious health problems. She had diabetes. This is a disease that affects how your body uses sugar. In the 1970s, doctors didn’t have as many ways to treat diabetes as they do now. People with diabetes must watch what they eat and check their blood sugar often.

Even with her sickness, Marilyn kept doing what she loved. She still worked with her horses and helped others. She didn’t let her illness stop her from living her life.

On September 11, 1973, Marilyn Kroc Barg died in Arlington Heights, Illinois. She was only 48 years old. She died because of problems from her diabetes. Her funeral was held at a funeral home, and she was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, Illinois. She died eleven years before her father Ray Kroc died in 1984.

Her Money and Legacy

When Marilyn Kroc Barg died in 1973, she had about $600,000. This money came from her own work and probably some help from her family. In 1973, this was a lot of money. If we count for inflation, it would be worth several million dollars today.

Her father Ray Kroc had much more money. When he died in 1984, he had about $600 million. Most of this money went to his third wife, Joan Kroc, who later became famous for her own charity work.

Conclusion

Marilyn Kroc Barg lived only 48 years. But she filled that time with good things. She could have just enjoyed being rich and comfortable. Instead, she chose to follow her own path. She loved horses and art. She helped people through charity.

Her story reminds us that behind every famous person is a family with their own stories. While Ray Kroc’s name is known everywhere because of McDonald’s, Marilyn Kroc Barg made her own mark through kindness and caring about others.

Marilyn died more than fifty years ago. But her story still matters today. She showed that true success is not just about money or fame. It is about the good we do for others. It is about how we make the world better. Marilyn Kroc Barg may not be as famous as her father, but her life was full of meaning. She touched lives through kindness and love. That is a legacy worth remembering.

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