Ray Kroc’s Ex-Wife Jane Dobbins Green: Her Real Story Revealed

You’ve probably heard of Ray Kroc — the man who turned McDonald’s into a global fast-food empire. But have you ever heard of Jane Dobbins Green, Ray Kroc’s ex-wife? Probably not. That’s because Jane lived a very private life, even when she was married to one of the most powerful businessmen in America.

While Ray Kroc’s first and third marriages are well-known, his second marriage — to Jane Dobbins Green — is mostly forgotten. But her story is still important. It’s full of love, quiet strength, heartbreak, and a peaceful life away from fame. In this article, we’ll share Jane’s real story. You’ll learn about her early life, her marriage to Ray Kroc, their divorce, and what happened after that.

Let’s begin by getting to know Jane Dobbins Green a little better.

Jane Dobbins Green Quick Bio

Who Was Jane Dobbins Green?

Jane Dobbins Green was not a celebrity or a public figure. But she became known after marrying Ray Kroc, the man behind McDonald’s. Even though their marriage only lasted five years, her name became a small but interesting part of McDonald’s history.

Jane wasn’t someone who wanted attention. She didn’t give interviews. She didn’t appear in public events. But her quiet presence during an important time in Ray’s life still makes her story worth telling.

Many people are now curious about Jane. Who was she before she met Ray? And what happened to her after the divorce? Let’s find out.

Jane Dobbins Green’s Early Life and Family

Jane was born on November 22, 1911, in Walla Walla, Washington, USA. She grew up in a simple and modest home. Her parents were Warren David Dobbins and Grace Myrtle Duncan Frechette. Sadly, Jane lost her baby sister, Eula Grace Dobbins, who died as an infant. This must have been a hard experience for the family.

Jane’s parents divorced when she was still young. Her mother later married another man named Theodore Frechette, who became Jane’s stepfather. Jane lived with her mother after the divorce and likely had a mix of emotions growing up between two different homes.

Even though not much is known about her early education or teenage years, one thing is clear: Jane was a quiet, calm person who preferred to live a simple life.

Jane Dobbins Green Before Ray Kroc

Before becoming Ray Kroc’s ex-wife, Jane had her own life and career. Reports say she once worked as a secretary for famous actor John Wayne, one of Hollywood’s biggest stars at the time. That alone shows that Jane was organized, smart, and trusted in important circles.

She also worked at a restaurant called the Criterion Restaurant in St. Paul, Minnesota. This is where she may have met Ray Kroc. She was said to be playing the organ at the time, while Ray was already known for his business work.

At this point in her life, Jane wasn’t famous. She lived quietly, did her job, and didn’t look for the spotlight. That didn’t change much — even after she married one of the most successful businessmen in America.

How Jane Dobbins Green Met Ray Kroc

Jane met Ray Kroc in the late 1950s, around the time Ray’s first marriage was falling apart. Ray had been married to his first wife, Ethel Fleming, for nearly 40 years. But his business life had grown so big that his personal life started to change.

Ray and Jane likely met through mutual friends or during Ray’s visits to the restaurant where she worked. At the time, Ray was focused on building McDonald’s into something big, and Jane was working quietly in the background.

Their connection was strong enough that Ray decided to marry her. They tied the knot on February 23, 1963, just two years after his divorce from Ethel.

Ray Kroc’s Marriage to Jane Dobbins Green

Being Ray Kroc’s wife meant living in a world of business meetings, travel, and the fast-growing McDonald’s brand. Jane and Ray were together during a time when McDonald’s was becoming a huge global success. But Jane didn’t play a public role in the company. She stayed out of the spotlight and never tried to take credit.

Their marriage lasted for five years, from 1963 to 1968. They had no children together. Jane focused on supporting Ray in private, while Ray focused on his work and growing his empire.

From the outside, it may have looked like they had everything — fame, money, and success. But inside, things were not as perfect as they seemed.

Why Did Ray Kroc and Jane Dobbins Green Divorce?

In 1968, Ray and Jane divorced. The reason? Ray had been having an affair with a woman named Joan Smith, whom he had met years earlier. Joan and Ray reconnected during a McDonald’s convention, and their relationship became serious.

Just six months after divorcing Jane, Ray Kroc married Joan in 1969. This quick switch surprised many people and left Jane completely out of the picture. There was no big public fight, no media drama — just a quiet ending to a short marriage.

Jane never spoke publicly about the divorce. She didn’t ask for fame or try to share her side. Instead, she stayed silent — something that made her life even more mysterious to many people.

Jane Dobbins Green’s Life After Divorce

After her marriage with Ray Kroc ended in 1968, Jane Dobbins Green chose to step away from the public. While Ray moved on quickly and remarried, Jane went in a different direction. She didn’t go to the media. She didn’t try to stay in the spotlight.

Jane lived quietly, focusing on her own life. She never shared her side of the story. She didn’t ask for fame, attention, or money. This showed how private and calm she really was. Some people might have tried to get rich or famous after a divorce like that — but not Jane.

Her life after the divorce was peaceful. She never tried to claim any part of Ray’s fortune. She simply moved on, showing strength in her silence.

Jane Dobbins Green’s Second Marriage

Seventeen years after her divorce from Ray Kroc, Jane found love again. In 1984, she married Paul D. Whitney. Their relationship was not in the public eye. They lived quietly, far away from the media and business world.

Jane and Paul were together until Jane’s death. Their marriage was simple and peaceful — the kind of life Jane had always seemed to prefer. Unlike her marriage to Ray, this one had no pressure from fame or money.

This second marriage shows us a new side of Jane — a woman who, after being in a high-profile marriage, chose a path that brought her peace and stability.

Jane Dobbins Green’s Final Years and Death

Jane Dobbins Green spent her last years in Los Angeles, California. She passed away on August 7, 2000, at the age of 88. Her cause of death was natural — simply old age.

Jane was buried at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles. She shares a grave with her second husband, Paul Whitney. This final resting place speaks volumes. While she once lived in the world of fame and fortune, she chose to be remembered for love and peace.

She left this world quietly, just like she lived most of her life. But her story still matters — especially because it shows us how someone can walk away from fame and still live a full life.

What Was Jane Dobbins Green’s Net Worth?

One big question people ask is: Did Jane Dobbins Green get any of Ray Kroc’s money? The answer is no. There is no public record showing that Jane inherited anything from Ray after their divorce.

At the time of his death in 1984, Ray Kroc had a net worth of about $600 million. That would be around $1.4 billion today. But Jane didn’t receive a big settlement or any part of that fortune.

She lived a modest life. She didn’t use Ray’s name for money or fame. This shows her strong character and independent spirit.

How She’s Remembered

Even though Jane was Ray Kroc’s ex-wife, she is often left out of his story. Most people talk about Ray’s first wife, Ethel, or his third wife, Joan. But Jane Dobbins Green was part of his life during an important time — when McDonald’s was growing fast.

Jane is remembered not for her fame, but for her quiet strength. She didn’t fight for the spotlight. She didn’t complain. She simply lived her life with grace.

In many ways, she was the opposite of the fast-paced McDonald’s world. She was calm, quiet, and strong — and that’s something truly rare.

Shocking Facts About Jane Dobbins Green and Ray Kroc’s Marriage

• Ray married Joan just six months after divorcing Jane.

• Jane never received a share of Ray’s fortune, even though she was married to him during McDonald’s rise.

• Jane never gave a single interview or went public about her marriage or divorce.

• She was completely left out of McDonald’s image, even though she was part of Ray’s life during a key time.

• Jane chose peace over fame and stayed out of public drama her whole life.

These facts may surprise people. They show how different Jane’s life was from the loud, busy world Ray lived in. She chose her own path — one that was private and peaceful.

Final Thoughts

Jane Dobbins Green may not be a name everyone knows, but her story is powerful. She was more than just Ray Kroc’s ex-wife. She was a woman who lived with grace, kept her privacy, and found peace after heartbreak.

Her life teaches us that not all stories need to be loud to be meaningful. Sometimes, the strongest people are the ones who choose to walk away from the spotlight — and live a quiet, happy life.

We hope Jane’s story gave you a new view of the McDonald’s legacy and the woman who quietly stood beside it — even if only for a short time.

(FAQs)

Was there ever a movie made about Jane Dobbins Green?

No, there’s no movie about Jane Dobbins Green — even though she was once married to McDonald’s billionaire Ray Kroc during the rise of the fast-food empire.

What was Jane Dobbins Green’s net worth?

Her net worth was never made public, and she didn’t receive any large settlement from Ray Kroc. He was worth $600 million, but she walked away with almost nothing.

Who was Jane Dobbins Green’s first husband?

Ray Kroc was her first and most famous husband. She only married again years later, to Paul D. Whitney.

When was Jane Dobbins Green born, and how old was she when she died?

She was born on November 22, 1911, and died on August 7, 2000, at the age of 88.

Why did Jane Dobbins Green divorce Ray Kroc, and did she get a big settlement?

Ray Kroc left Jane because of an affair with Joan Smith, whom he married just 6 months later. Jane got no known settlement and never spoke publicly about the divorce.

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