Orenthal James Simpson, better known as O.J. Simpson, had two marriages that defined different chapters of his life. His first wife, Marguerite Whitley, was there before the fame, before the scandals, before his name became one of the most polarizing in American history.
O.J. Simpson’s Marriage With His Ex-Wife, Marguerite Whitley
O.J. Simpson and his first wife, Marguerite Whitley, met in high school in California, where he was still a struggling young man with a troubled past, including multiple arrests. But she saw something in him, something beyond his early brushes with the law. On June 24, 1967, the two tied the knot in a quiet ceremony, and over the next decade, they built a life together.
They had three children: Arnelle, born in 1968, Jason in 1970, and Aaren in 1977. However, tragedy struck in August 1979 when their youngest, Aaren, drowned in the family’s pool just before her second birthday. By then, the cracks in their marriage were already showing. O.J. had skyrocketed to fame as a football star, and the spotlight strained their relationship. Their divorce was finalized in 1979, the same year he became romantically involved with Nicole Brown, a woman who would later change the course of his life in unimaginable ways.
Who Was O.J. Simpson’s Second Wife, Nicole Brown?
Nicole Brown was just 18 when she met O.J. Simpson in 1977 at The Daisy, a Beverly Hills nightclub where she worked as a waitress. He was 30, already married to his first wife, Marguerite, and nearing the end of his football career. Their relationship moved quickly, and once his divorce was finalized, he and Nicole became inseparable. On February 2, 1985, they married in the backyard of O.J.’s estate in Rockingham. That same year, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and he publicly credited Nicole for helping him get through the end of his playing days.
Together, they had two children—Sydney, born in October 1985, and Justin, born in August 1988. But beneath the glamorous public image, their marriage was volatile. Friends recalled O.J.’s possessiveness, his explosive temper, and the way Nicole often withdrew from social events without explanation. Police reports from the late 1980s and early 1990s revealed that Nicole had called 911 multiple times with concerns about her safety. In one particularly distressing call, she reportedly expressed fear for her life.
By 1992, Nicole had had enough. She filed for divorce, and her family celebrated the fresh start she was making. However, O.J. was still present in her life, reportedly being a nuisance to his ex-wife even after their split. On June 12, 1994, Nicole and her friend Ron Goldman were tragically found deceased outside her home in Brentwood, Los Angeles.
Nicole was 35, and Goldman was 25. The nature of the incident was deeply disturbing, and in the days that followed, O.J. Simpson emerged as the primary person of interest. On June 17, after failing to turn himself in, he was involved in a widely televised slow-speed chase in a white Ford Bronco, during which he was reportedly holding a firearm while his friend Al Cowlings drove. The chase was broadcast live to millions across the country and became a defining moment in media history.
The Trial of the Century
O.J. Simpson’s trial, dubbed “The Trial of the Century,” began in January 1995 and lasted 11 months. The prosecution presented forensic findings, including traces of blood, hair, and fibers, along with shoe prints at the scene and past allegations related to domestic issues. The defense, led by Johnnie Cochran, challenged the evidence and raised concerns about the investigation, famously stating, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit” in reference to a pair of gloves introduced in court. After just three hours of deliberation, the jury found O.J. not guilty on October 3, 1995. The verdict divided the country, with many celebrating his acquittal while others were outraged.
Though he walked free from criminal charges, the case wasn’t over. In 1997, the families of Nicole and Ron Goldman filed a civil lawsuit against Simpson, and this time, the jury found him liable for their deaths. He was ordered to pay $33.5 million in damages. Despite this ruling, he paid only a fraction of the amount before his death. In the years that followed, he remained in the public eye, facing legal troubles that culminated in a 2008 armed robbery conviction that landed him in prison for nearly a decade.
On April 10, 2024, O.J. Simpson passed away at the age of 76 after battling cancer. His death reignited conversations about Nicole and Ron, with many taking to social media to honor their memories. Though the case officially remains unsolved, the shadow of suspicion still lingers over his name. But beyond the headlines, Nicole Brown Simpson’s family hopes she is remembered not just as a victim of a crime, but as a devoted mother, a loving sister, and a woman who deserved so much more than the fate she met.
The crime of the century. The hunt for the truth.
American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson premieres January 29. Featuring new and candid interviews, the series reexamines the true crime story that changed American culture. pic.twitter.com/E7jQpwdAYO
— Netflix (@netflix) January 17, 2025
American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson is streaming on Netflix.
