Mario Andretti and his wife, Dee Ann Andretti, were married for over five decades until her passing on July 2, 2018, at the age of 76 due to a heart attack.
Born on February 28, 1940, in Italy, Mario Andretti began racing on dirt tracks and transitioned to open-wheel racing after emigrating to the United States with his family in 1955.
He succeeded across multiple racing platforms, including Formula One, IndyCar, sports cars, and stock cars.
Over his career, he won the Formula One World Championship in 1978, the Indianapolis 500 in 1969, and four USAC/IndyCar championships.
Dee Ann Was Known For Her Steady Support of Mario’s Racing Career and the Family They Built Together
Mario Andretti’s wife, Dee Ann Andretti (née Hoch), was his lifelong partner and a vital part of his personal and professional journey.
The couple met in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, where Mario’s family had settled after emigrating to the United States.
She graduated from Nazareth Area High School and was the one who taught English.
Dee Ann was born on July 10, 1942, in Allentown and was the daughter of the late Earl and Alethea Hoch.
They married on November 25, 1961, shortly before Mario’s racing career began taking off to stardom.
— Andretti INDYCAR & INDY NXT (@AndrettiIndy) July 4, 2018
Dee Ann preferred to stay out of the limelight, focusing on family life. However, she was a constant presence in Mario’s life, offering encouragement and support.
Mario Andretti once found himself at the center of an intriguing salary negotiation involving Enzo Ferrari, owner of Ferrari, and Colin Chapman, the legendary founder of Lotus, in 1977.
At the time, Andretti had a handshake agreement with Chapman, who had promised him a salary matching that of Ronnie Peterson, then the highest-paid driver in Formula 1.
However, Andretti was also in discussions with Ferrari, creating a unique opportunity to negotiate his worth.
When Andretti asked what the team was willing to pay him, Ferrari’s response was both flattering and unexpected,
“I can’t put a price on your talent, so you tell me.”
Caught off guard, Andretti turned to his wife, Dee Ann, who had accompanied him to the meeting. She said,
“double it.”
Andretti relayed this bold demand to Ferrari, who surprisingly agreed to the terms.
This reflects Dee Ann’s influential role in shaping one of the most pivotal negotiations of his career.
Dee Ann was also a longtime trustee for the Fund to Benefit Children & Youth of Allentown, a nonprofit organization she strongly advocated for.
Mario Andretti’s Sons Also Followed His Footsteps
Mario Andretti and his wife, Dee Ann, had three children: Michael, Jeff, and Barbie.
Both Michael and Jeff followed in their father’s footsteps, pursuing careers in IndyCar racing, while Barbie chose a more private life.
Michael enjoyed a highly successful career, winning 42 races, ranking fourth all-time, and earning one championship title.
After retiring from driving, Michael transitioned to team ownership and now leads Andretti Autosport, a prominent team in the IndyCar Series.
Jeff competed in 21 IndyCar races between 1990 and 1994. He also made three appearances in the iconic Indy 500 before stepping away from racing.
Their daughter, Barbie, chose a different path and is a successful realtor based in their hometown of Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
The Andretti legacy extends to a third generation through Michael’s son, Marco Andretti.
Marco has competed in the IndyCar Series for over a decade, driving exclusively for his father’s team, Andretti Autosport.
While Marco has yet to achieve the same level of success as his grandfather or father, he remains a respected driver in the sport and a vital part of the Andretti racing dynasty.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Mario Andretti has a twin brother, Aldo, who was also a talented racer, but Aldo’s career was cut short after a near-fatal crash in 1969.
- Andretti has made cameo appearances in TV shows, commercials, and movies, including an appearance in the animated film Cars.
- He is the only driver in history to win races in Formula 1, IndyCar, NASCAR, and sports cars.
- Andretti owns a winery in Napa Valley, California, called Andretti Winery.
