Willie Mays, famously nicknamed “the Say Hey Kid,” is considered one of baseball’s all-time greats. He began his professional journey in the Negro Leagues before becoming a star in Major League Baseball with the New York and later San Francisco Giants, and he finished his playing career with the New York Mets.
From an eye-catching rookie season to earning the MVP in 1954 — a year highlighted by his legendary World Series catch — Mays continually impressed. He captured another MVP in 1965 and kept playing at a high level through 1973, known for both his power at the plate and exceptional defense. After hanging up his cleats, he stayed involved in the sport as a coach and mentor to younger players.
Mays’s life off the field included two notable marriages. He first wed Margherite Wendell Chapman; that marriage eventually ended in divorce. He later found a second partner in Mae Louise Allen after a friend suggested they meet, and their relationship developed into a lasting partnership. When Mae faced health struggles, Mays remained devoted, honoring the commitment of “in sickness and in health.”
Below is everything you should know about Willie Mays’ two wives.
Margherite Wendell: Her Early Career, Marriages and Life After Baseball
Margherite Wendell—also later known as Margherite Wendell Chapman and Marti Marciano—was born to Sadie and Frank Wendell on November 13, 1925, in St. Louis, Missouri. From youth she gravitated toward music and fashion, interests that shaped much of her professional life.
Her career began in the music business. In 1950 she married Bill Kinney, the lead singer of The Drifters, and took on the role of the group’s personal manager, handling promotion and day-to-day artist responsibilities.
She broadened her influence beyond managing her husband’s group. Margherite was instrumental in bringing Gladys Knight to New York to record for Buddha Records and even welcomed Knight and the Pips into her home, helping them polish interview skills and public presentation.
Her consultation work reached notable figures such as Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali. Alongside Ruth Bowen, she also worked to develop the careers of the Isley Brothers, underscoring her wide-ranging role in the industry.
Margherite married Willie Mays in 1956. The couple adopted a five-day-old son, Michael, in 1959. Their marriage later encountered difficulties; they separated in 1962 and divorced in 1963, with Margherite taking primary responsibility for raising Michael.
In 1978 she moved to San Antonio and found work as a buyer for women’s boutiques. She eventually retired to Fort Lauderdale and died on July 20, 2010, at the age of 84.
Mae Louise Allen: The Woman Who Became Willie Mays’ Second Partner
Willie Mays shared a long and meaningful partnership with Mae Louise Allen Mays, whose presence shaped both his personal life and the causes she championed. Their relationship got off to a lighthearted start — Mae, a skilled athlete who later worked in social services, initially questioned whether she was really speaking to the baseball star during a playful phone exchange. That early amusement turned into a lasting connection after a recommendation from basketball great Wilt Chamberlain.
The two were married in 1971 after roughly a decade of knowing one another, building a life grounded in shared values and mutual respect. Mae’s career reflected her commitment to children and families — she grew up in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood, excelled as a sprinter, and went on to do pioneering work in single-parent adoptions in San Francisco. In 1997 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and Willie cared for her through a 16-year struggle with the illness. After more than a decade and a half of declining health, Mae died on April 19, 2013, a loss felt deeply by Willie, the San Francisco Giants organization, and all who knew her work and compassion.
Mae Louise Allen was born on May 26, 1938. Raised in the racially segregated Homewood section of Pittsburgh, she distinguished herself early as a sprinter before dedicating her life to child welfare and adoption services.
