Mister Rogers' Wife Makes Candid Admission About Her Late Husband
Mister Rogers was a 30-year TV veteran who enchanted America's children and parents for decades. But behind the beloved man was one very special partner who knew all of his secrets. Yes, Joanne Rogers helped Fred Rogers be the man he was in life, and after his death, she made a candid confession about her husband. This revealed the stunning truth about the man often labeled the kindest in the world.
Mrs. Rogers
The revelation came after the documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor? and the Tom Hanks film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood renewed interest in Mister Rogers. Naturally, people turned to Joanne Rogers — the woman who'd been married to Fred for 50 years — for the reality behind the world-famous man. And she didn't disappoint.
First Meeting
She could tell everyone the truth, as she had known Fred since 1948. Two years previous, Joanne had received a scholarship to Rollins College to study music. And this college campus would be the setting for the fateful first meeting between herself and Fred. It was an adorable moment that played out almost like a movie.
Early Courtship
Fred Rogers transferred as a music major from Dartmouth, and Joanne was part of the group that initially welcomed him to Rollins. The meeting likely played a part in convincing Fred to stay in Florida to study. And the pair certainly hit it off right away — though not in the way you might think.
Strong Friendship
The base for their romantic relationship was a solid companionship. “I must say, we were just good friends,” Joanne told The Baltimore Sun in 2001. “We didn’t do much dating, as such. We all ran around in a group. But I think we thoroughly enjoyed each other's company." For the time being, at least.
