Margie Washiche is no household name herself, but was a major influence on singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. Little is known of her private life but she certainly influenced Buffett during his formative musical years. This article looks at some of the known facts about Margie Washiche – her background, education, career – and her role in Jimmy Buffett’s early music career.
Background and Education
Details about Margie Washiche’s early life, family background and education are unavailable because of her privacy. The public records give little detail about her birthplace, upbringing or siblings.
Career
Also not available is information about Margie Washiche’s professional life. Whether she chose a career path or worked elsewhere outside the public eye is unknown.
Marriage to Jimmy Buffett
Most prominent is Margie Washiche’s marriage to Jimmy Buffett. They got married in 1969 – a pivotal year in Buffett’s early music career. No one knows the specifics of their courtship but it seems they crossed paths sometime during Jimmy’s early attempts to make it in the music business.
A Supportive Role in Jimmy Buffet’s Career
Margie Washiche was instrumental in Jimmy Buffett getting his first big break. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Buffett was creating his signature sound and gaining fans. Margie reportedly stood by him through that period.
Few instances of her particular contributions are documented, but we can safely conclude that her presence provided stability and encouragement. There are many demands on a music career – Margie probably helped Jimmy focus on his music.
Some say Margie even managed Jimmy’s early career, but there is no hard proof. Regardless of the details, her support during this critical period in Jimmy Buffett’s career was invaluable.
Short-Lived Marriage
Despite the solid foundation Margie Washiche laid, their marriage was not meant to last. They divorced after only three years together in 1972. The reasons behind the separation were not publicized.
Margie Washiche after Divorce
After the divorce, Margie Washiche stayed out of the public eye. There’s absolutely no information on her life post-split. Whether she remarried, found a specific career path or simply retired is unknown.
Net Worth
It’s impossible to determine what Margie Washiche is worth without knowing more about her career.
Personal Life
Like her career, Margie Washiche’s personal life is kept away from the public view. No information about her hobbies, interests or children from the marriage is publicly available.
Margie Washiche’s Legacy
Although Margie Washiche never sought the spotlight, her influence on Jimmy Buffett’s career was undeniable. Her support gave him a firm foundation at an important moment in his music career. The success Jimmy Buffett eventually achieved is in part due to the stable, encouraging environment Margie Washiche created.
Her Ex-Husband, Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffet is the man behind island escapism and tropical rock. His laid-back persona, catchy tunes and beach bumming tales have entertained millions for more than five decades.
Born James William Buffett on Christmas Day 1946 in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Jimmy spent his childhood along the Gulf Coast in Alabama. He grew up with the lure of the ocean – his grandfather was a steamship captain and his father a marine engineer. He attended McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile, Alabama, where he started playing guitar.
After high school, Jimmy’s educational path was not linear. At Pearl River Community College, Auburn University and finally the University of Southern Mississippi, he majored in journalism. Important as his academic pursuits were, his musical calling developed during this time. He started his first band, The Now Generation, and performed at local venues.
With a degree and a taste for music, Jimmy moved to Nashville in 1969 with plans of becoming a country singer. He briefly worked for Billboard magazine while writing and recording his own music. His 1970 debut album Down to Earth received little attention.
Undeterred, Jimmy worked on his songwriting and sound. A particularly memorable visit was in 1971 to Key West, Florida, with fellow musician Jerry Jeff Walker. This relaxed island vibe attracted Jimmy and he wrote music about that carefree lifestyle. Songs like “Margaritaville” and “A Pirate Looks at Forty” followed, giving him his “tropical rock” sound.
Jimmy Buffett’s empire goes beyond music. He runs the Margaritaville restaurant chain, a clothing line and a casino. He writes several best-selling books about his island lifestyle.
In terms of personal life, Jimmy Buffett lived a private life. He married Margie Washiche in 1969 but divorced three years later. He later married Jane Slagsvol in 1977 and had one daughter – Savannah. They split in the early 1980s but remained friends. Unfortunately, Jimmy Buffett passed away on September 01, 2023.
Jimmy Buffett had a net worth of around USD 600 million at his time of death. But the legacy he let behind goes beyond money, his music continues to inspire millions of fans worldwide.
