Renowned American tennis player Don Budge experienced two noteworthy marriages in his lifetime. He entered into a marital union with his second wife, Loriel McPherson, in 1967.
Don Budge, widely known as the first tennis player to win all four Grand Slam events consecutively overall, has achieved remarkable achievements in his career.
John Donald Budge, widely known as Don Budge, held the World’s Number One player for five years, first as an amateur and then as a professional.
The athlete was born in Oakland on June 13, 1915, to Scottish parents John “Jack” Budge and Pearl Kincaid Budge.
Furthermore, he commenced his professional career in October 1938 after winning the Grand Slam and thereafter played primarily head-to-head matches.
In addition to his tennis career, Budge joined the United States Army Air Forces in 1942 to serve in World War II.
Don Budge Shared Over Three Decades of Marital Life With His First Wife, Deirdre Conselman!
Aside from his extraordinary athletic career, Budge has gained significant attention for his vibrant personal life.
According to reports, the elite athlete experienced two marriages throughout his lifetime.
Don Budge tied the knot with his first partner, Deirdre Conselman, at St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church in Chicago on May 26, 1941.
Deirdre was the daughter of the famous screenwriter and cartoonist William Conselman and Wilhelmina Rambo, affectionately known as Mina.
Don Budge and Deirdre Conselman were proud parents of two wonderful sons, David Bruce and Jeffery Donald.
Additionally, she co-authored a book titled ‘Keedle, the Great: And All You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Fascism‘ with her brother, William Conselman Jr.
Published in 1940, the book offers Americans hope that the world can overcome dictatorships.
The book provides an exceptional reminder that we have always ridiculed authoritarian regimes and that using humor against oppressors can weaken their power.
After 33 years of togetherness, the couple decided to part ways in 1974.
Unfortunately, Dierdre took her last breath in 1978 at the age of 56; however, the cause of her passing remains unknown.
Don Budge Was Married to His Second Wife, Loriel McPherson, Until His Last Breath!
The tennis player and Loriel allegedly exchanged vows in 1967 while Budge was still married to his first wife, Dierdre.
Meanwhile, little to no information surrounding Loriel’s life is available online, which has sparked controversy among netizens.
26 January 2000. Don Budge died (aged 84). In 1938, he was the first male player to achieve the tennis Grand Slam, winning the US, French, Australian and Wimbledon championships in the same year. It was not until 1962 the feat was equalled by a male player, Australian, Rod Laver. pic.twitter.com/5vmTvijk7b
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) January 26, 2024
Over three decades of their marriage, Budge and Loriel did not have any children.
It was in December 1999 when their life turned upside down when Budge sustained fatal injuries in an automobile accident from which he never recovered.
Budge passed away on January 26, 2000, at an 84-year-old nursing home in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- In 1937, Don Budge became the first tennis player ever to be voted the James E. Sullivan Award as America’s top amateur athlete.
- After retiring from competition, the tennis player started coaching and conducted tennis clinics for children.
- Budge is also the only man to have achieved the Triple Crown on three separate occasions (Wimbledon in 1937 and 1938, and the US Championships in 1938), and the only man to have achieved it twice in one year.
