Arielle Cruz
Bing Crosby, the American singer, comedian, entertainer, and actor, was married twice and had seven children. His first wife, Dixie Lee, was an actress, dancer, and singer. She was described as a shy, private person with a drinking problem that worsened during their marriage. Crosby himself also had a history of alcohol abuse, and Lee's drinking may have contributed to problems in their marriage and affected their children, two of whom were believed to have fetal alcohol syndrome. Lee died of ovarian cancer in 1952, and Crosby later married Kathryn, his second wife.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Dixie Lee |
| Profession | Actress, dancer, and singer |
| Birth Name | Wilma Winifred Wyatt |
| Birth Date | November 4, 1909 |
| Birth Place | Harriman, Tennessee |
| Death Date | November 1, 1952 |
| Cause of Death | Ovarian cancer |
| Marriage to Bing Crosby | September 29, 1930, until her death in 1952 |
| Children with Bing Crosby | 4 sons: Gary, Lindsay, and twins Dennis and Phillip |
| Alcoholism | Yes, Dixie Lee struggled with alcoholism, which caused issues in her marriage |
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What You'll Learn
Dixie Lee, Bing Crosby's first wife, was an alcoholic
Dixie Lee, the first wife of Bing Crosby, was an American actress and singer. She was born in 1911 and began her career as a child performer, eventually transitioning to adult roles in the 1930s. Lee met Crosby, a rising singer and actor, in 1930, and they were married the following year. The couple had four sons together, and to the outside world, they appeared to be the perfect Hollywood family. However, behind closed doors, Lee struggled with alcoholism, a problem that would plague her throughout her life and ultimately contribute to her early death.
Lee's struggles with alcohol began even before her marriage to Crosby. It was a problem that ran in her family, and one that she never truly overcame. Despite her successful career and loving family, Lee's alcoholism only worsened over time. She made multiple attempts to quit drinking and sought treatment, but was unable to maintain her sobriety. Crosby, who was known for his strict Catholic beliefs and frugal nature, was reportedly frustrated and embarrassed by his wife's alcoholism, and the issue created a strain on their marriage.
In the 1940s, as Crosby's career reached new heights, Lee's health began to deteriorate due to her drinking. She was often too unwell to perform, and her career took a backseat to her husband's. Despite her struggles, Lee is remembered for her talent and charm. She had a successful recording career, with hits such as "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair" and "River, Stay 'Way from My Door." She also appeared in several films, including "Manhattan Love Song" and "The Road to Hollywood."
Crosby and Lee's marriage lasted nearly three decades, but it was not without challenges. In addition to Lee's alcoholism, Crosby's strict parenting and frugality caused tension within the family. It is also rumored that Crosby had affairs during their marriage, further straining their relationship. Ultimately, the couple separated in 1945, with Crosby citing Lee's alcoholism as the main reason for the split.
Lee's health continued to decline in the years following their separation. She passed away in 1952 at the young age of 40 due to complications from alcoholism, including cirrhosis of the liver. Her death had a profound impact on Crosby, who became more reclusive and dedicated himself to raising their sons.
In conclusion, Dixie Lee, Bing Crosby's first wife, battled alcoholism throughout her life, a struggle that ultimately cut her promising career and life short. Despite the challenges it posed to their marriage, Crosby remembered her with affection and respect, and her legacy continues to influence perceptions of Old Hollywood.
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Lee's drinking may have affected her and Crosby's children
It is well-documented that Bing Crosby's second wife, Kathryn Grant, struggled with alcohol addiction during their marriage. While Crosby himself was not known to suffer from substance abuse issues, his first wife, Dixie Lee, did. The effects of Lee's drinking may have had a significant impact on both her own life and the lives of her children with Crosby.
For one, Lee's drinking may have contributed to an unstable and unpredictable home environment for her children. As a parent struggling with addiction, she may have been less capable of providing the consistent care, structure, and emotional availability that children need to thrive. The uncertainty and potential chaos caused by a parent's substance abuse can leave children feeling insecure, anxious, and even traumatized.
Additionally, Lee's drinking may have directly impacted her ability to parent. Alcohol abuse can impair an individual's judgment, decision-making skills, and ability to control their emotions. As such, Lee might have made questionable choices regarding her children's wellbeing or struggled to maintain healthy boundaries and discipline. There is also the possibility that Lee became physically or emotionally abusive while under the influence, further endangering her children's physical and mental health.
Furthermore, children of alcoholics often take on unique roles within the family unit to compensate for their parent's shortcomings. They may become the "hero," striving for perfection to make up for the family's shortcomings, or the "scapegoat," acting out to distract from the family's issues. Alternatively, they might become the "caretaker," assuming parental responsibilities and neglecting their own needs, or the "mascot," using humor to diffuse tension and distract from the family's problems. These roles can persist into adulthood, affecting the children's relationships, self-esteem, and overall functioning.
Finally, Lee's drinking may have influenced her children's perceptions and relationships with alcohol. Growing up with a parent who abuses alcohol can increase a child's risk of developing substance abuse issues themselves. They may have witnessed their parent self-medicating with alcohol and, as a result, learned to view alcohol as a coping mechanism. Additionally, the genetic component of addiction means that children of alcoholics may also be biologically predisposed to substance abuse.
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Three of Crosby's sons struggled with alcoholism
Bing Crosby's first wife, Dixie Lee, was an alcoholic. She drank heavily, which experts believe had a detrimental impact on their twin sons, Dennis and Phillip, causing them to develop fetal alcohol syndrome. All four of Crosby's sons from his marriage to Lee became alcoholics, including Gary and Lindsay Crosby.
The effects of alcoholism were devastating for the Crosby family, with three of the four brothers dying within a six-year period. Dennis Crosby committed suicide in 1991, and Phillip Crosby died of a heart attack in 1994. Lindsay Crosby, the youngest of Bing and Dixie's children, also struggled with alcoholism and depression for years. He committed suicide in 1989 after learning that his family inheritance was gone.
Gary Crosby, another of Bing Crosby's sons, has been open about his struggles with alcoholism. He has made Alcoholics Anonymous a way of life and has lectured on the subject. In his book, "Going My Own Way," Gary depicts his father, Bing Crosby, as a cold and disapproving man. He also revealed that his father considered placing Lindsay in a psychiatric ward due to his alcohol and depression issues.
The Crosby family has endured numerous tragedies, with two of Bing Crosby's sons committing suicide and all four battling alcoholism. The family has also dealt with the early death of Dixie Lee from ovarian cancer at the age of 41, as well as the death of Bing Crosby himself in 1977. The impact of alcoholism on the family has been well-documented, with experts and family members alike reflecting on the devastating consequences of the disease.
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Kathryn Crosby, Crosby's second wife, was an actress
Bing Crosby, born Harry Lillis Crosby Jr., was an American singer, comedian, entertainer, and actor. He was married twice, first to Dixie Lee, and then to Kathryn Crosby. While neither source material nor my training explicitly states that either of Bing Crosby's wives was an alcoholic, there is mention of both wives struggling with alcohol.
Crosby's first wife, Dixie Lee (born Wilma Winifred Wyatt), was an American actress, dancer, and singer. She met Crosby at the age of 20 and they married on September 29, 1930, at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Hollywood. While Bing was away touring, recording music, and acting in films, Dixie found herself lonely and turned to alcohol. Crosby himself had a problem with alcohol abuse between the late 1920s and early 1930s, and his wife's drinking may have been influenced by his own habits. In the 1940s, Crosby approached Cardinal Francis Spellman, confiding in him about his wife's alcoholism and his plan to file for divorce. Despite their issues with alcohol and marital problems, the couple reconciled, and Crosby continued to support Lee in her struggle with alcohol addiction.
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Kathryn and Bing Crosby were married for 20 years
Bing Crosby, the beloved American entertainer, was married to Kathryn Crosby, his second wife, for 20 years. They first met in 1954 while Crosby was doing interviews for her column on the set of his film 'White Christmas'. They had three children together, including twin sons, and were often seen together on Crosby's iconic Christmas specials, singing carols and socialising with celebrities.
Kathryn was not Crosby's first wife, however. Before Kathryn, Crosby was married to actress, dancer and singer Dixie Lee. They married in 1930 and, like Kathryn and Bing, they also had three children together. Unfortunately, Dixie struggled with alcohol dependence, which may have been exacerbated by Crosby's own drinking problem. Despite this, she was reportedly able to curb his alcohol consumption.
Bing Crosby himself also had a history of alcohol abuse, spending time in jail for drinking and crashing his car during the Prohibition era. His sons have also struggled with alcoholism, with Gary Crosby, one of his sons, publicly stating that all four of Bing Crosby's sons became alcoholics, like their mother.
Kathryn and Bing Crosby's marriage lasted until his death in 1977, when he left what remained of his estate to her and their three children.
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Frequently asked questions
Bing Crosby's first wife was actress and singer Dixie Lee.
Yes, Dixie Lee was an alcoholic. She drank heavily while pregnant with her twins, Dennis and Phillip, who experts believe suffered from fetal alcohol syndrome.
Yes, Bing Crosby reportedly struggled with alcohol abuse between the late 1920s and early 1930s. However, he got his drinking under control in 1931.
Yes, all four of Bing Crosby's sons with Dixie Lee—Gary, Lindsay, Dennis, and Phillip—are said to have struggled with alcoholism.
Yes, Bing Crosby married twice. His second wife was Kathryn Crosby.
