Bill Russell, the first black head coach in the NBA, died “peacefully” on Sunday, per a family statement on his Twitter profile.
Russell won 11 titles with the Boston Celtics, including eight straight from 1959 through 1966. He was an All-Star twelve times and the NBA MVP five times.
Being the head coach to win an NBA championship, he guided the Celtics to two titles when he was their coach.
In addition, the illustrious athlete was married four times over his life, with three marriages ending in divorce. However, here in this article, we will learn more about his first wife, Rose Swisher.
What Happened To Bill Russell Ex Wife Rose Swisher?
On September 11, 2014, Rose Swisher, Bill Rusell’s first love and wife, passed away at age 78.
They were both in college together when the two ex-lovers first met. Rose and Bill Russell got hitched on December 9, 1956. Similarly, they married for approximately 20 years before being divorced in 1973.
Moreover, his second marriage was to Dorothy Anstett. He married Dorothy in 1977, amid the controversy surrounding interracial relationships. Dorothy was white, and although interracial marriages had only been legal in 1967, they were still unusual.
When they married, Dorothy Anstett was 29 years old, and Russell was 43. They cohabitated for three years before their 1980 divorce.
After that, Russell married Marilyn Nault, his third wife, in 1996; their union lasted until her passing in January 2009. And at the time of his demise, Russell was hitched to his fourth wife, Jeannine Russell.
Rose Swisher And Bill Rusell Children: How Many Kids Did They Have?
Bill Rusell and Rose Swisher raised three children together: sons William Jr. and Jacob, and daughter Karen Russell, a television commentator and attorney.
Karen Russell, an attorney and legal analyst for television, was born on January 20, 1962. She holds degrees from Georgetown University and Harvard Law School.
Likewise, the exceptional television reporter Karen previously served as the development director for the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights and as the executive director of Artists for a New South Africa. The Huffington Post has published some of her writing.
As a legal and political commentator, Karen frequently appears on CNN, MSNBC, and TruTV.
On November 2, 1957, in Melrose, Massachusetts, William Felton Russell Jr., also known as Buddha, was born to Bill and Rose. During his time in St. George, Utah, the son of a legendary basketball player worked for Cox Trucking for several years.
Further, William married Sherrill Hansen, his boyhood sweetheart, and they have a child named Sean Tyler Russell.
NBA Legend Bill Rusell Dead At 88
Bill Russell, a former NBA champion and legendary Boston Celtics member, passed away at the age of 88.
According to a message on social media, Russell passed away “amicably” with his wife Jeannine by his side. The statement said plans for his memorial service would be revealed soon.
Russell’s family emphasized his lengthy history of engagement and commitment to social justice, noting that his “knowledge of the fight is what illuminated his life.”