Bing Crosby’s Children: The Legacy of a Music Icon’s Family
Bing Crosby, born in 1903, became one of the world’s most famous musical icons, contributing significantly to jazz and pop music. From 1926 to 1977, Bing Crosby dominated the entertainment industry.
As a pioneer in record sales, network radio ratings, and box office success, he established himself as one of the initial global cultural icons. His entertaining repertoire includes over 70 feature films and an impressive record of over 1,600 songs.
He rose to fame in the 1930s with unforgettable hits such as “White Christmas.”
In 1977, he gracefully bowed from the acting scene, leaving behind not only his remarkable work but also his legendary touch in Hollywood and the music industry.
Bing Crosby’s Marital Life: Two Wives and a Loving Family
Bing Crosby shared his life with two amazing women.
His first wife was Dixie Lee, a singer and actress widely known for her natural talent in entertainment. They got married in 1930 when Bing was 27 years old. Together, they had four children: Gary (1933), twins Dennis and Phillip (1934), and the youngest, Lindsay (1938).
During some years, they had to deal with Dixie’s drinking problems and even had an attempt to divorce in 1941, but their family tie was so strong that they did stay together.
Unfortunately, Dixie left Bing heartbroken when she prematurely passed away from ovarian cancer in 1952.
Surviving the Loss: Bing Crosby Remarries Kathryn Grant
Picking up the pieces of his life, Bing Crosby started dating women such as Pat Sheehan, Inger Stevens, and even Grace Kelly, but eventually, he found love again in Kathryn Grant, an actress known for her role in “The 7th Voyage of Sinbad.”
Crosby was 54 years old when they wed in 1957. The couple added three children to their beautiful family: Harry (1958), Mary (1959), and Nathaniel (1961).
The Crosby Legacy: Where Are Bing Crosby’s Children Now?
Despite many notable accomplishments, the Crosby family had their fair share of troubles.
After Bing Crosby died in 1977, his eldest son Gary penned a memoir, “Going My Own Way,” in which he portrayed his father as cruel and abusive. Despite confirmation of physical punishments, the other Crosby children distanced themselves from these allegations.
Bing’s younger son Phillip openly contested Gary’s claims, and, according to Phillip in a People magazine interview, any physical discipline they received from their father was merited.
In 1989, tragedy struck when Lindsay ended his life due to struggles with depression. Only two years later, her brother Dennis also killed himself.
However, the remaining Crosby children have lived on and continued to make their marks in various fields.
Nathaniel, the youngest Crosby son, has become a renowned golfer. He became the youngest winner of the US Amateur in 1981, and Harry Crosby is a very successful investment banker.
The Crosby Brothers
The other Bing Crosby’s sons, Dennis, Gary, Lindsay, and Phillip, frequently collaborated with their father. Their shared ventures include radio shows and a holiday record in 1950, “A Crosby Christmas,” which reached number 22 on the Billboard charts.
In the late 50s and early 60s, the Crosby sons formed their musical group, The Crosby Boys, delivering noteworthy performances in numerous nightclubs and television shows. Through these ventures, they added their chapters to the beautiful saga of the Crosby family in the entertainment world.
Mary Crosby: The Starlet of the Crosby Family
Of Bing Crosby’s children, Mary Crosby has carved a name for herself in Hollywood. Now in her early 60s, she is known for her unforgettable role as Kristin Shepard in the popular TV show, “Dallas.”
Encouragingly, she continues to shine in her acting career, creating a legacy separate from her father’s legendary fame.
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