Marvella Bayh
Encyclopedia
Marvella Hern Bayh was the wife of Indiana Senator Birch Bayh
and the mother of former Indiana Senator Birch Evans Bayh III (Evan).
She was born in Oklahoma, married Birch Bayh in 1952 and moved to Indiana. When Birch Bayh decided to run first for the Indiana House of Representatives in 1954 and then for the US Senate in 1962 she began her career as the ultimate political wife—juggling campaign duties, motherhood, and household responsibilities with aplomb.
Mrs. Bayh suffered from a variety of health problems as the result of a car accident shortly after her marriage. Despite recurring back problems and double vision, Mrs. Bayh always was deeply involved in the Washington political and social scene. She and her husband also survived a plane crash in 1964 that killed two people and critically injured Senator Ted Kennedy
.
The Bayhs were close friends with Senator Kennedy and his wife Joan Kennedy, as well as President John F. Kennedy
and Jacqueline Kennedy. As an Oklahoman, Marvella Bayh also formed warm and close relationships with President Lyndon B. Johnson
and Mrs. Lady Bird Johnson
.
Marvella had a keen interest in current events and public affairs and was a skilled campaigner and public speaker. In 1967 President Johnson recognized her abilities and asked her to become the vice-chairman of the Democratic National Committee—a job she turned down with great reluctance at the request of her husband who was launching his own Senate re-election campaign.
Personal tragedy also marred her family life. Her mother died early from heart failure. Her father, her greatest champion while she was growing up, became a violent alcoholic later in life, eventually murdering his second wife and then taking his own life.
In 1971, Marvella faced another personal crisis with a diagnosis of breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy followed by radiation and chemotherapy treatments. In order to support his wife, Birch Bayh announced that he would not be a candidate for president in 1972.
After her recovery, Marvella became a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society
. She was also a television “Bicentennial Reporter” every Sunday through July 4, 1976.
In 1978, more than six years after her cancer operation and treatment, the cancer recurred. Despite aggressive treatment, she lost her battle and died on April 24, 1979.
Birch Bayh
Birch Evans Bayh II is a former United States Senator from Indiana, having served from 1963 to 1981. He was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president in the 1976 election, but lost to Jimmy Carter. He is the father of former Indiana Governor and former U.S. Senator Evan Bayh.-Life...
and the mother of former Indiana Senator Birch Evans Bayh III (Evan).
She was born in Oklahoma, married Birch Bayh in 1952 and moved to Indiana. When Birch Bayh decided to run first for the Indiana House of Representatives in 1954 and then for the US Senate in 1962 she began her career as the ultimate political wife—juggling campaign duties, motherhood, and household responsibilities with aplomb.
Mrs. Bayh suffered from a variety of health problems as the result of a car accident shortly after her marriage. Despite recurring back problems and double vision, Mrs. Bayh always was deeply involved in the Washington political and social scene. She and her husband also survived a plane crash in 1964 that killed two people and critically injured Senator Ted Kennedy
Ted Kennedy
Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy was a United States Senator from Massachusetts and a member of the Democratic Party. Serving almost 47 years, he was the second most senior member of the Senate when he died and is the fourth-longest-serving senator in United States history...
.
The Bayhs were close friends with Senator Kennedy and his wife Joan Kennedy, as well as President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
and Jacqueline Kennedy. As an Oklahoman, Marvella Bayh also formed warm and close relationships with President Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
and Mrs. Lady Bird Johnson
Lady Bird Johnson
Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Taylor Johnson was First Lady of the United States from 1963 to 1969 during the presidency of her husband Lyndon B. Johnson. Throughout her life, she was an advocate for beautification of the nation's cities and highways and conservation of natural resources and made that...
.
Marvella had a keen interest in current events and public affairs and was a skilled campaigner and public speaker. In 1967 President Johnson recognized her abilities and asked her to become the vice-chairman of the Democratic National Committee—a job she turned down with great reluctance at the request of her husband who was launching his own Senate re-election campaign.
Personal tragedy also marred her family life. Her mother died early from heart failure. Her father, her greatest champion while she was growing up, became a violent alcoholic later in life, eventually murdering his second wife and then taking his own life.
In 1971, Marvella faced another personal crisis with a diagnosis of breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy followed by radiation and chemotherapy treatments. In order to support his wife, Birch Bayh announced that he would not be a candidate for president in 1972.
After her recovery, Marvella became a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
. She was also a television “Bicentennial Reporter” every Sunday through July 4, 1976.
In 1978, more than six years after her cancer operation and treatment, the cancer recurred. Despite aggressive treatment, she lost her battle and died on April 24, 1979.