Who Was Lee Iacocca Wife
Lee Iacocca was married twice. His first wife was Mary McCleary, and his second wife was Peggy Johnson. Mary McCleary and Iacocca married in 1946 and remained married until her death in 1983. Peggy Johnson became his wife in 1986, and they stayed together until Iacocca died in 2019. Both marriages were long-term partnerships that spanned decades of his career at Ford and Chrysler. Forbes has detailed his leadership timeline alongside family milestones.
Peggy Johnson Iacocca kept a lower public profile than Mary McCleary during Iacocca's peak executive years. She supported his post-Chrysler activities, including board roles and charitable work. Iacocca frequently credited both wives for their stability during intense corporate turnarounds. Public records and biographies focus more on his business decisions than on detailed personal life.
Lee Iacocca First Wife Mary McCleary
Mary McCleary Iacocca married Lee Iacocca in 1946 and was his wife during the early Ford years. She supported him through the rise of the Ford Mustang and the early corporate conflicts with Henry Ford II. She died in 1983, before Iacocca's famous Chrysler turnaround. Their marriage lasted 37 years and produced two children.
Mary McCleary Iacocca rarely appeared in business press, but her role is noted in biographies covering his early career. Iacocca often spoke about the personal cost of long hours at Ford and Chrysler. The marriage coincided with his ascent from Ford division manager to president.
Lee Iacocca Second Wife Peggy Johnson
Peggy Johnson married Lee Iacocca in 1986, after his divorce from Mary McCleary and during his Chrysler chairmanship. She supported him through the Chrysler loan guarantees, the 1990s restructuring, and his later brand campaigns. They remained married until his death in 2019 at age 94. SEC filings show his corporate directorships during this period.
Peggy Johnson Iacocca participated in charity events tied to Iacocca's Parkinson's disease advocacy. Iacocca helped launch research funding for Parkinson's after his diagnosis. She continued to represent his legacy in interviews and public appearances after his death. Bloomberg reported on his passing and legacy.