Lou Gehrig, one of the greatest baseball players in American history, was married to the love of his life, Eleanor Grace Twitchell Gehrig, until he took his last breath in 1941.
The late baseball player Lou lived with his parents in New York City until he was 30, heavily influenced by his mother, Christina, a German immigrant and the family’s primary breadwinner, who was protective and controlling, especially over Lou’s personal life.
His mother, Christina, disapproved of his earlier romantic relationships, keeping him single until Eleanor came along in 1932, when they crossed paths at a party.
Eleanor’s charm won Lou over, and she helped him gain independence from his mother’s influence, encouraging him to move out of his parents’ home.
Born to Chicago Parks Commissioner Frank Twitchell and Nellie Twitchell on March 6, 1904, in Chicago, Illinois, Eleanor grew up in a well-off family.
Despite Christina’s initial resistance, Eleanor and Lou married on September 29, 1933, in a simple ceremony in New Rochelle, New York.
Eleanor was more than just Lou’s wife; she became his biggest supporter. She traveled with him during his baseball career, cheering him on as he played alongside stars like Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio.
She helped manage his career, acting like an agent and promoter in a time when most players didn’t have such support.
For example, Eleanor encouraged Lou to hire a publicity agent, which led to endorsements, such as appearing on a Wheaties cereal box.
In 1935, Eleanor even worked with songwriter Fred Fisher to create a song called “I Can’t Get to First Base With You,” a playful nod to Lou’s baseball fame.
When Lou’s health began to decline in 1938, Eleanor noticed changes, like his stumbling or dropping things.
In 1939, Lou was diagnosed with ALS, a rare disease that weakens muscles and has no cure.
Eleanor became his caregiver, helping him with daily tasks as his condition worsened. She kept his spirits up by hosting gatherings and reading to him, including books like Anna Karenina.
She cared for him as his health declined, staying by his side until his death on June 2, 1941, at their home in the Bronx.
Eleanor, who was widowed at 37 but never remarried, said, “I had the best of it. I would not have traded two minutes of my life with that man for forty years with another.”
Eleanor Never Remarried And Worked to Keep His Legacy!
Lou’s wife of 9 years, Eleanor, lived quietly in New York City after Lou’s death, often attending Yankees events with Claire Ruth, Babe Ruth’s widow, despite past tensions between their families.
She remained a beloved figure at Yankee Stadium, appearing at an old-timers’ game in a wheelchair shortly before her death.
Following Lou’s demise, Eleanor took charge of his estate, ensuring his image was used respectfully.
In the 1960s, she prevented an alcohol company from using his likeness in an advertisement, as she wanted his name associated with positive causes.
She donated his baseball glove, uniform, and personal scrapbooks to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, where they remain today.
These items helped shape the 1942 film The Pride of the Yankees, starring Gary Cooper as Lou and Teresa Wright as Eleanor, for which she served as a consultant and was paid $30,000 for her life rights.
During World War II, Eleanor raised $6 million by auctioning Lou’s memorabilia to support the war effort, earning praise from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who invited her to the Little White House.
She also volunteered with the American Red Cross Motor Corps, showing her commitment to helping others.
Eleanor became a passionate advocate for ALS research. As National Campaign Chair for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, she raised awareness and funds for the disease.
She lobbied Congress to fund research and establish a national institute for neurological disorders.
Eleanor donated $100,000 to Columbia University, Lou’s alma mater, to create the Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center, which continues to study and treat ALS.
She also gave $100,000 to the Rip Van Winkle Foundation, forming The Lou Gehrig Society to support ALS research and honor the Gehrigs’ legacy.
In 1945, Eleanor made history as the vice president of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC), becoming the first female sports league executive in the U.S.
In 1976, Eleanor published My Luke and I with Joseph Durso, sharing her life with Lou and their love story.
The memoir inspired a 1978 TV movie, A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story, starring Blythe Danner as Eleanor, which was nominated for two Emmy Awards.
After 43 years of his demise, Eleanor passed away on her 80th birthday on March 6, 1984. She was laid to rest beside Lou at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York, where their headstone remains.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Lou Gehrig spoke German as a child and only learned English when he was five.
- Before his baseball career took off, Lou Gehrig studied engineering at Columbia University and even played football there.
