Bing Crosby, celebrated as one of the most influential entertainers of the 20th century, had a life marked by both soaring success and profound tragedy. At the center of his story was his beloved wife, Dixie Lee, whose life took a heartbreaking turn amidst the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.
Dixie Lee, born Wilma Winifred Wyatt on Nov 4, 1909, was a talented actress and singer whose star shone brightly before she met Bing. Hailing from Harriman, Tennessee, Dixie’s journey to stardom began when her family moved to Chicago during her teenage years. She attended Sen High School, where her passion for performing blossomed. It was during this time that she adopted the stage name Dixie Lee and caught the attention of talent scouts.
In 1920, Dixie’s career took off when she signed a contract with Fox Studios, marking the beginning of a promising career in Hollywood. Her talents garnered recognition, and she appeared in several films, capturing the hearts of audiences with her charm and voice.
However, Dixie’s life took a significant turn when she crossed paths with Bing Crosby, then a rising star in the entertainment industry. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and in 1930, they exchanged vows, embarking on a journey that would shape both their lives forever.
Together, Bing and Dixie welcomed four sons, Gary, Dennis and Phillip, and Lindsay, into the world, creating a picture-perfect family in the eyes of the public. However, behind the scenes, Dixie grappled with the challenges of being married to a man whose career demanded his presence on stage and screen.
As Bing’s fame skyrocketed, Dixie made the difficult decision to step away from her own career to focus on raising their children. While Bing traveled the globe, enchanting audiences with his velvety voice, Dixie remained at home, struggling with loneliness and the weight of her husband’s absence.
Dixie Lee’s personal life, as depicted by Bing Crosby’s biographer Gary Giddins, unveils a woman of quiet strength and resilience. Described as shy and private, Dixie approached life with a sensible demeanor, a stark contrast to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. As a young couple, Dixie and Bing often found themselves amidst social gatherings where alcohol flowed freely. While Dixie indulged socially to keep pace with Bing, she managed to temper his alcohol consumption, but sadly, her own struggles with alcoholism only worsened over time.
Amidst his marriage to Dixie Lee, Bing Crosby was involved in one confirmed extramarital affair, detailed in Patricia Neal’s 1988 autobiography “As I Am,” during a cruise to England in 1948 alongside actress Joan Caulfield. Tragically, Dixie turned to alcohol as a means of coping with her loneliness and the pressures of being a homemaker. Her descent into addiction strained her marriage and fractured her relationship with her children, who often found her passed out from excessive drinking.
This escalating addiction took a toll on their marriage, leading to moments of crisis. In January 1941, divorce briefly loomed as a possibility for Bing, reflecting the strain caused by Dixie’s deteriorating health and their marital struggles. In January 1945, Dixie’s health took a critical turn when she collapsed with what was initially described as a respiratory infection. However, rumors circulated suggesting that she had accidentally overdosed on sleeping tablets, leaving her life hanging in the balance for over a week.
Despite the challenges they faced, Bing remained devoted to Dixie, standing by her side during her darkest hours. He accompanied her to the hospital and remained by her bedside throughout the night, a testament to their enduring bond amidst adversity. Despite rumors of marital strain during Bing’s extended visit to Europe in 1950, the couple remained steadfast in their commitment to each other.
In a poignant gesture of reconciliation, Bing persuaded Dixie to join him on his radio show broadcast in December 1950, marking her first professional appearance since 1936. This symbolic reunion hinted at a renewed sense of hope for their relationship. By January 1951, press reports indicated that Bing had returned home to Holmby Hills, signaling a rekindling of their bond after a period of separation.
Despite attempts to overcome her addiction, Dixie’s health deteriorated rapidly. Tragically, Dixie’s battle with ovarian cancer cut short any hopes of a brighter future together. On November 1, 1952, just three days shy of her 43rd birthday, Dixie Lee passed away, leaving behind a devastated family and a void that could never be filled. Her untimely death cast a shadow over Bing’s life, leaving him grappling with grief and regret.
She was laid to rest in the Crosby plot at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California, after a solemn Requiem High Mass, surrounded by her loved ones and mourned by fans around the world. Dixie’s life may have been marked by struggle and sorrow, but her memory lives on as a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the power of love to transcend even the darkest of times.
While Bing’s career continued to flourish, his personal life was marred by tragedy and heartache. His relationship with his children, particularly his eldest son Gary, was strained, marred by allegations of abuse and neglect. Gary’s memoir, “Going My Own Way,” painted a grim portrait of Bing as a distant and authoritarian figure, forever tarnishing his public image.
Following Dixie Lee’s passing, Bing Crosby entered into relationships with model Pat Sheehan, who later married his son Dennis in 1958, as well as actresses Inger Stevens and Grace Kelly. In 1957, he married actress Kathryn Grant, who converted to Catholicism, and together they had three children: Harry Lillis III, Mary Frances, and Nathaniel, each carving their own paths in various fields, including entertainment and sports.
In his later years, Bing’s health declined, and he faced his mortality with a sense of resignation. His last moments, spent on a golf course, were a reflection of a life filled with triumphs and tribulations, love and loss. Following Bing Crosby’s passing in 1977, his widow Kathryn Crosby, now 90, occasionally participated in local theater productions and made appearances in television tributes dedicated to honoring her late husband’s legacy.
The legacy of Bing Crosby and Dixie Lee serves as a cautionary tale of the high price of fame and the toll it can take on family life. While Bing left an indelible mark on the entertainment world, his personal life was marked by sorrow and regret, a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of success and the importance of cherishing those we hold dear.
