By Bayo Olupohunda,John Ouma,Lucy Zawadi
Copyright legit
John Wayne was one of the biggest movie stars for over three decades. He starred in movies like Stagecoach, Sands of Iwo Jima, Hondo, The High and the Mighty, True Grit, and many more. The actor died on 11 June 1979, at the age of 72, due to cancer. He was survived by his seven children from two of his three marriages. Here is all you need to know about John Wayne’s children.
Key takeaways
John Wayne was an American actor known for his roles in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, True Grit, and The Quiet Man. During his marriage to Josephine Saenz from 1933 to 1945. The couple had four children: two daughters, Antonia and Melinda, and two sons, Michael and Patrick. With his third wife, Pilar Palette, he had three more children, Ethan, Aissa, and Marisa. Wayne died of stomach cancer on 11 June 1979, aged 72, at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.
All about John Wayne’s children
When the legendary actor died, he left behind seven children from his marriages and more than 15 grandchildren. Here is a breakdown of who John Wayne’s children are.
1. Michael Wayne
Full name: Michael Anthony MorrisonDate of birth: 23 November 1934Died: 2 April 2003 (age 68 years)Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, United StatesProfession: Actor and film producer
John Wayne’s oldest son was Michael Wayne, who built a successful career in the film industry. He worked his way up from production assistant to producer, contributing to several of his father’s films, including McLintock! (1963), Big Jake (1971), and Cahill U.S. Marshal (1973).
Beyond film production, he also served as president and chairman of the John Wayne Foundation board. Michael married Gretchen Ann Deibel in Los Angeles on 30 August 1958, and together they had five children:
Alicia Maria (born 1959)Teresa Ann (born 1960)Maria Utilla (born 1962)Josephine Michele (born 1965)Christopher Michael (born 1967)
Which one of John Wayne’s sons died?
Sadly, Michael died from heart failure due to complications from lupus erythematosus in Burbank, California, on 2 April 2003, at the age of 68. He was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles.
2. Toni Wayne
Full name: Mary Antonia Wayne LaCavaDate of birth: 25 February 1936, Los Angeles, California, United StatesDied: 6 December 2000 (age 64 years)Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, United StatesProfession: Actress
The actor’s next child was his first daughter, Mary Antonia’ Toni’ Wayne LaCava, who passed away in 2000. Mary pursued a brief acting career but dedicated most of her life to her family after marrying Donald La Cava on 16 May 1956.
Together, they had eight children: Anita, Mark, Kevin, Christopher, Brigid, Brendan, Peter, and David. One of her sons, Brendan Wayne, inherited his grandfather’s striking looks and made a name for himself in Hollywood.
Born Daniel Brendan La Cava on 8 February 1972 in Encino, California, he entered the film industry in 2008 as an actor and producer. Brendan later co-starred in the 2011 sci-fi blockbuster Cowboys & Aliens, directed by Jon Favreau.
3. Patrick Wayne
Full name: Patrick John MorrisoDate of birth: 15 July 1939 Age: 86 years old (as of 2025)Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, United StatesProfession: Actor
Patrick’s mother was Wayne’s first wife, Josephine Alicia Saenz. Patrick Wayne, John’s middle son, built a slightly successful acting career when he appeared in movies such as Mister Roberts and The Searchers.
Patrick became an actor early – he made his film debut at age 11. He is credited with appearing in 40 films, 11 with his legendary dad. He married Peggy Hunt on 11 December 1965 and later married Misha Anderson on 8 May 1999. Wayne has three children.
4. Melinda Wayne Munoz
Full name: Melinda Wayne MunozDate of birth: 3 December 1940Died: 13 April 2022 (age 81 years)Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, United StatesProfession: Actress
Even though John’s fourth child and second daughter, Melinda Wayne Munoz, made several appearances in her father’s films as a child, she did not become a film star.
Melinda’s son, Matthew Munoz, bears a striking resemblance to his famous grandfather. He is a Catholic priest. Father Matthew Munoz is a priest of the Diocese of Orange in California.
Before John died, Matthew witnessed his grandfather’s conversion to the Catholic faith. His ex-wife, Josephine Wayne Saenz, introduced the famous actor to the Catholic world.
The priest is proud of his grandpa’s conversion to become a Catholic. Out of all his successes and achievements, this is one Matthew is majorly proud of. He said:
He wanted to become baptized and become Catholic. It was wonderful to see him come to the faith and to leave that witness for our whole family.
Melinda Wayne passed away on 13 April 022, after outliving the standard longevity of the lung transplant she received 11 years ago.
5. Aissa Wayne
Full name: Aissa WayneDate of birth: 31 March 1956Age: 69 years old (as of 2025)Place of birth: Burbank, California, United StatesProfession: Actress
Aissa Wayne was born on 31 March 1956 in Burbank, California, USA. She is the daughter of John Wayne and Pilar Wayne and is recognised for her roles in The Alamo (1960), McLintock! (1963), and the documentary Dreaming the Quiet Man (2010).
The American actress has been married to Richard Putnam Robinson since 16 March 2002. She was previously married to Earl Lawrence Kuhle II from 3 October 1981 until 1984, and later to Thomas A. Gionis from 14 February 1986 until 2 July 1988.
6. Ethan Wayne
Full name: John Ethan WayneDate of birth: 22 February 1962Age: 63 years old (as of 2025)Place of birth: California, United StatesProfession: Actor, stuntman, and podcast host
Ethan Wayne was named after Ethan Edwards, a character from The Searchers. His mother is Pilar Pallete, John Wayne’s third wife. Ethan has worked as both an actor and a stuntman.
He now manages John Wayne Enterprises, serves as director of the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, and created its Team DUKE fundraising programme in honour of his father.
Although his father was a Hollywood legend, Ethan described his childhood in Newport Beach, California, as usual. He grew up in a small-town setting surrounded by orange and strawberry farms. He told The Guardian in 2020:
My father was tough, but very loving. He was old school. I don’t know how else to describe it. He didn’t talk much, but he could make his few words very, very impactful and meaningful.
I learned a lot from my father. He never told me ‘do this’ or ‘do that,’ but led by example. You never wanted to disappoint him.
John Wayne was in his late 50s when Ethan was born, and he made sure his son did chores at home. At 17, Ethan drove his father to UCLA Medical Center when he fell ill; John never returned.
Ethan married Gina Rivadenegry in 1989. He continues to oversee John Wayne Enterprises, directs the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, and hosts The John Wayne Gritcast podcast.
7. Marisa Carmella Wayne
Full name: Marisa Carmella WayneDate of birth: 22 February 1966Age: 59 years old (as of 2025)Place of birth: Burbank, California, United StatesProfession: Actress
Marisa Wayne was born on 22 February 166, in Burbank, California. She is the youngest daughter of John Wayne. She married Tony Ditteaux on 4 May 200, and they have two children. Marisa appeared in Hollywood Greats (1977), A Woman’s Guide to Firearms (1987), and 100 Years of John Wayne (2007).
In 2013, she co-founded GritCycle, a health club based in Costa Mesa, California. The business has since expanded to Orange County and East Long Beach locations. GritCycle also organizes fundraisers to benefit the John Wayne Cancer Foundation.
Ethan and Marisa also took part in a John Wayne exhibit in Texas, showcasing personal belongings of the Western legend and stories from his children. As part of the exhibit, Ethan and Marisa shared memories, including their experience attending the Oscars with their father. Marisa shared on Instagram:
Every opportunity he had, he made somebody feel special. He really had that personal touch, and it has transcended generations and gone well beyond the movie screen. It wasn’t an act—he really was a genuine, great guy.
How many times did John Wayne marry?
John Wayne married three times in his lifetime. His marriages were as follows:
Josephine Alicia Saenz (1933–1945)
Wayne’s first wife, Josephine Saenz, was the daughter of a Panamanian Consul in Los Angeles. They married on 24 June 1933 and had four children: Michael in 1934, Toni in 1935, Patrick in 1938, and Melinda in 1940.
After a few years, their marriage was in trouble. Wayne practically lived for his work, which his wife found hard to accept. He was always surrounded by work associates and friends from the film world, which did not impress Josephine very much.
The couple also had different opinions about how their children should be raised. In 1943, they separated and a year later, divorced.
Esperanza Baur (1946–1954)
While vacationing in Mexico, Wayne met his second wife, Esperanza Baur Diaz, nicknamed Chata. They got married on 17 January 1946, in California. Unlike Wayne’s first marriage, this marriage was rocky and volatile from the start.
John Wayne’s wife was reportedly jealous of his devotion to his work and his four children – the couple had no children. The second marriage lasted seven years, ending in November 1953. A Superior Justice granted them a divorce under a little-used provision of a California law, reserved for cases where neither party concedes the other’s charges.
Pilar Pallete (1954–1979)
Wayne met his third wife, Pilar Weldy (born Palette), in Lima, Peru, in 1953, while he was scouting locations for The Alamo. Younger than Wayne by 22 years, Pilar came from an upper-class family; her father was a Peruvian politician. On 1 November 1954, he very day Wayne’s divorce became final, the couple married.
Unlike his previous wives, Pilar took an active interest in his career. She was an actress with some stage experience, although she did not pursue her career. She bore Wayne three children: Aissa in l956, John Ethan in 1962, and Marisa Carmella in 1966.
The third marriage lasted 17 years, but in November 1973, a trial separation was announced. Pilar complained about Wayne’s lengthy absences from home, even when he was not working; he said they had lost interest in each other.
Who are John Wayne’s grandchildren?
John Wayne has many grandchildren, some of whom have carried on his legacy in entertainment and philanthropy. They include Alicia Maria, Teresa Ann, Maria Utilla, Josephine Michele, and Christopher Michael.
Others are Anita, Mark, Kevin, Christopher, Brigid, Brendan, Peter, David, Melanie, Anthony, and Michael. His family includes Matthew Muñoz, Jennifer, Anastasia Pilar Gionis, Nicholas Kuhle, Carmela Louise Ditteaux, and Duke Morrison Ditteaux.
How did John Wayne die?
John Wayne died on 11 June 1979. The cause of death was stomach cancer, which he had been battling for several months. He passed away at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, surrounded by his family.
After his death, his kids founded the John Wayne Cancer Institute at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California, and the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, in his memory. Ethan said on Instagram in 2023:
When he was in bed, sick and dying, he looked up at his kids and said, ‘Use my name to fight cancer,’ and that’s what we’ve tried to do the last 44 years.
How old was John Wayne when he died?
John Wayne was 72 years old when he died on 11 June 1979. The American actor was born on 26 May 1907 in Winterset, Iowa, United States.
What was John Wayne’s net worth?
According to The New York Times, John Wayne’s estate was valued at $6.85 million at his death in 1979. This figure represents his net worth, which was documented in his will filed in Orange County Superior Court.
Are John Wayne’s children still alive?
No, not all of John Wayne’s children are still alive; as of September 2025, Michael Wayne, Toni Wayne, and Melinda Wayne Munoz have passed away. His other four children, Patrick Wayne, Aissa Wayne, John Ethan Wayne, and Marisa Wayne, live.
What are some of John Wayne’s children in movies?
John Wayne often featured his children in his movies. They appeared in multiple films, including Big Jake, The Searchers, and McClintock!.
Are any of John Wayne’s children famous?
Yes, Patrick Wayne gained recognition as an actor in his own right, while Ethan Wayne became known for acting and managing his father’s estate. Jennifer Wayne, his granddaughter, is famous as a country singer with Runaway June.
What happened to all of John Wayne’s children?
Most of John Wayne’s children went into acting or production, with some later shifting to business or philanthropy. Many remain active in preserving their father’s legacy through the John Wayne Cancer Foundation.
What happened to John Wayne’s son, Patrick?
Patrick Wayne enjoyed a successful acting career in the 1950s–70s and later hosted television shows. He eventually retired from Hollywood and served as president of the John Wayne Cancer Foundation.
Did John Wayne leave his money to his children?
Yes, John Wayne left money and other provisions for his children in his will, though the amount varied by age and the form of distribution.
He gave his adult children a lump sum of $5,000 each year over age 21, and set up trust funds for his younger children to cover college and living expenses. The remainder of his estate was used to fund a trust for his first wife and the children’s foundation.
John Wayne’s children have played an essential role in keeping the legendary actor’s legacy alive. Although Michael, Toni, and Melinda have passed away, Patrick, Aissa, Ethan, and Marisa remain devoted to preserving his memory through their careers and charitable work. Together, they ensure that the Duke’s influence inspires future generations.
Legit.ng recently reported on the inspiring journey of Kountry Wayne. He is an American comedian, social media influencer, and actor. He is most recognized for his comedic videos uploaded to his Instagram and YouTube accounts.
Comedian Kountry Wayne has committed to creating short comedy skits and posting them daily on his channel. He released his first book, Help Is On the Way: Stay Up and Live Your Truth, in April 2023.
Source: Legit.ng
