Jane Dobbins Green: What Happened to Ray Kroc’s Second Ex-Wife?

When you think of McDonald’s, you probably picture a fast cheeseburger, golden fries, and those famous golden arches. But behind that giant company is a man named Ray Kroc, the one who turned McDonald’s into a worldwide success. And behind Ray Kroc—at least for a little while—was a woman named Jane Dobbins Green.

Jane wasn’t famous. She didn’t run a business. She didn’t like being in the spotlight. But for five years, she was married to the man behind the McDonald’s empire. Many people don’t know much about her, and that’s what makes her story so interesting.

In this article, we’ll take a simple, step-by-step look at who Jane Dobbins Green really was, how she met Ray Kroc, why their marriage ended, and what happened to her after she stepped away from the fast-food fame.

Jane Dobbins Green Quick Bio

Who Was Jane Dobbins Green?

Jane Dobbins Green was an American woman who lived a very private life. She was born on November 22, 1911, in Walla Walla, Washington. Her full name was Jane E. Dobbins Green, and later in life, she also used the name Jane Whitney after marrying her second husband.

Jane didn’t come from a rich or famous family. She was just a regular woman who grew up quietly and chose to live away from the spotlight—even when she married someone as big as Ray Kroc.

She didn’t like attention. She never gave interviews. She didn’t try to be on TV. But her life still became part of history because she was once Ray Kroc’s second ex-wife.

Jane Dobbins Green’s Childhood and Family

Jane’s childhood had some sad moments. Her parents were Warren David Dobbins and Grace Myrtle Duncan Frechette. When Jane was still young, her parents went through a divorce. That can be tough on any child. Later, her mother married another man named Theodore Frechette, who became Jane’s stepfather.

Jane also had a baby sister named Eula Grace Dobbins, but sadly, her sister died when she was just five months old. Jane grew up as an only child, and that early loss likely had a deep impact on her.

By the time Jane was 38 years old, she had lost both of her parents. Her dad passed away in 1946, and her mom died just three years later. These early life events may have helped shape Jane into a calm, quiet person who didn’t seek attention or drama.

How Jane Dobbins Green Met Ray Kroc

Ray Kroc was not always rich and powerful. Before he became the man behind McDonald’s, he tried many jobs—he was a paper cup salesman, a piano player, and even a milkshake machine salesman. He worked hard for many years before his big break came.

In 1957, Jane met Ray Kroc at the Criterion Restaurant in St. Paul, Minnesota. At that time, she was working as an organist, playing music at the restaurant. Ray was still married to his first wife, Ethel Fleming, but their marriage was already struggling.

Over time, Jane and Ray got closer. Their friendship grew into something more. After Ray divorced Ethel in 1961, he and Jane became more serious. A few years later, they got married.

Jane Dobbins Green and Ray Kroc’s Marriage

Jane and Ray Kroc got married on February 23, 1963. By then, Ray was already pushing McDonald’s into every corner of America. He was busy, ambitious, and focused on growing his business. Jane, on the other hand, liked calm and peace. She didn’t want the fame or the fast life that came with Ray’s success.

Their marriage lasted for five years, but it wasn’t always easy. Jane stayed quiet and out of the spotlight while Ray traveled, worked, and built his empire. She didn’t attend big events. She didn’t try to be a business partner. She just wanted a peaceful home life.

But being the wife of a growing business tycoon came with stress. Ray’s attention was mostly on work, and over time, that created distance between them.

Why Did Jane Dobbins Green and Ray Kroc Divorce?

By 1968, the marriage was over. One of the main reasons was Ray’s growing closeness to a woman named Joan Smith—a woman he had known for years. Ray and Joan met again at a McDonald’s event, and their bond quickly grew stronger.

Six months after meeting Joan again, Ray divorced Jane. Just a year later, in 1969, Ray married Joan. That relationship lasted until Ray’s death in 1984.

Jane, however, did not speak about the divorce. She didn’t go to the press. She didn’t write a book. She quietly walked away, choosing peace over publicity.

What Happened to Jane Dobbins Green After the Divorce?

After leaving Ray Kroc, Jane Dobbins Green disappeared from public life. She didn’t try to tell her story. She didn’t want interviews. She didn’t ask for fame. In a world where many people try to stay in the spotlight, Jane did the opposite.

She chose a quiet path. She never talked about what happened in her marriage. She didn’t make headlines or post about her life. She simply moved on.

Many people wonder what happened to her during those years. The truth is—she just wanted peace. And she found it.

Jane Dobbins Green’s Second Marriage

After her divorce from Ray Kroc, Jane didn’t stay alone forever. In 1984, she married a man named Paul D. Whitney. This was a big change from her first marriage. Paul was not a celebrity or a business tycoon. He lived a quiet life, just like Jane wanted.

They shared a peaceful, private life together. There were no cameras, no media stories, and no big events. Jane never tried to talk about her past with Ray Kroc. She simply moved forward with a man who gave her calm and comfort.

Jane and Paul didn’t have any children, but they seemed happy together. Their life was simple, just the way Jane liked it.

Jane Dobbins Green’s Life in Her Final Years

Jane spent her last years living in Los Angeles, California. She stayed completely out of the spotlight. You wouldn’t find her in the news, and she didn’t make any public appearances.

While Ray Kroc’s third wife, Joan Kroc, became known for her charity work and public speaking, Jane chose a different path. She didn’t want fame. She didn’t want to be remembered for drama or attention. She just wanted peace.

She was known by a new name—Jane Whitney—after marrying Paul. Most people who lived near her probably had no idea she was once married to the man behind McDonald’s. And that’s exactly how she wanted it.

When and How Did Jane Dobbins Green Die?

Jane Dobbins Green passed away on August 7, 2000, in Los Angeles. She was 88 years old. Her death was natural, simply caused by old age. There were no major headlines, no big reports—just a quiet goodbye.

She was buried at Westwood Memorial Park, a calm and beautiful cemetery in Los Angeles. She now rests beside her second husband, Paul Whitney, who passed away a few years later in 2008. They share a grave—a quiet ending for a quiet life.

Unlike Ray Kroc, who was buried in San Diego with much public attention, Jane’s funeral was private. It matched the way she lived—calm, peaceful, and far away from the spotlight.

Jane Dobbins Green’s Net Worth and Wealth

When it comes to money, Jane Dobbins Green was never rich or flashy. She didn’t make business deals. She didn’t inherit big money from Ray Kroc. In fact, many reports say she walked away from the marriage with very little.

At the time of her death, her net worth was estimated to be around $100,000. That may sound small, especially when you compare it to Ray Kroc, who had over $600 million when he died in 1984. Today, that would be more than $1.4 billion.

Jane never talked about money. She didn’t try to sell her story or ask for fame. She lived a very humble life, which shows her strong values and quiet dignity.

Why Jane Dobbins Green’s Story Still Matters

So why do we still talk about Jane Dobbins Green, even after all these years?

Because she showed us something rare. In a world where many people chase attention and money, Jane chose peace over fame. She could have written books or done TV interviews. She could have shared her secrets about life with Ray Kroc. But she didn’t.

She lived a quiet life. She stayed true to herself. And that’s what makes her story special.

Jane reminds us that not every story needs to be loud to be meaningful. Her grace, her strength, and her choice to stay silent tell us just as much as any headline.

Final Thoughts

Jane Dobbins Green may not be a household name, but her story is full of quiet strength. She was once Ray Kroc’s second ex-wife, a woman tied to the golden arches of McDonald’s. But she didn’t want the spotlight. She didn’t want power. She just wanted peace—and she found it.

From her early days in Washington to her final years in Los Angeles, Jane lived her life with dignity. Her story may be quiet, but it matters.

And now, more people are finally asking the question: What happened to Jane Dobbins Green? And thanks to stories like this one, we now know.

(FAQs)

How old was Jane Dobbins Green when she died?

Jane Dobbins Green was 88 years old when she died. She was born on November 22, 1911, and passed away on August 7, 2000.

How much money did Jane Dobbins Green have?

When she died, Jane had about $100,000. That’s very small compared to Ray Kroc, who had over $600 million. She didn’t get rich from her time with him.

Was Jane Dobbins Green shown in The Founder movie?

Jane was not in the movie The Founder. Even though she was Ray Kroc’s second wife, the movie didn’t show her at all.

What did Jane Dobbins Green look like when she was young?

When Jane was young, she had blonde hair and blue eyes. She looked very graceful, but there are only a few photos of her because she stayed very private.

Did Jane Dobbins Green get money after her divorce?

She didn’t get much after her divorce from Ray Kroc. She left quietly and didn’t take a big settlement. Ray moved on, and Jane never spoke about it.

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