Rose Swisher is the ex-wife of famous basketball player Bill Russell.
Although the former couple has been divorced since 1973, many fans are curious to know more about his first wife.
Who is Rose Swisher?
Rose Katherine Swisher was born on July 21, 1936, in Austin, Travis County, Texas. She was famous for being Bill Russell’s first wife.
Information about her parents and early life is not readily available to the media. She prefers living a private life away from the press, even while married to her famous ex-husband.
Swisher was a prominent activist from the 1960s to the 1970s. Before becoming a social activist, Rose was a student at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
In an X (Twitter) post in April 2023, Rose’s daughter, Karen, spoke about her mother’s life as an activist. She also shared the pain her mother had to endure during feminist meetings with white women.
I miss my parents.
My Mom ALWAYS came home in tears after going to her feminist meetings with White Women.
Now I get it. pic.twitter.com/g5pnJZrV1Q
— Karen Thee Russell (@Karen_Russell) April 4, 2023
Aside been an activist, Swisher was also into the world of fashion. She graced famous magazines like Ebony and was one of the foremost African-American supermodels to rise to the limelight.
Marriage
Rose Swisher was previously married to legendary basketball player Bill Russell. The pair were high school sweethearts and officially tied the knot in 1956.
While Rose was studying at California Polytechnic State University, their union produced three children— Karen Russell, a lawyer, and two sons, Jacob and Williams Jr.
After 17 years of marriage, the love between Rose and her then-husband Russell grew cold. They sought a divorce, which was granted officially in 1973.
One of Swisher’s sons, William Felton Russell Jr., died in January 2016 at the age of 58.
He passed away after a short battle against cancer. Until his death, he had a family, which included his wife, Sherrill Hansen, and son, Sean Tyler Russell.
Rose’s second son, Jacob, lives a very private life with his family; the media have no information about him.
However, he has a Twitter (X) account with the handle @JacobRussell_6.
On the contrary, Karen, Rose’s only daughter, is a TV personality, lawyer, and activist like her mother.
While Rose Swisher remained single after her divorce, her ex-husband was in three different marriages.
However, he never had any other children aside from the three he shared with Rose. Bill Russell died on July 31, 2022, at 88 years old.
Death
Rose Swisher died on September 11, 2014, in King County, Washington, USA, at the age of 78.
After her divorce from Russell, Rose began practicing Buddhism and did various jobs during her life.
Until her death, she remained unmarried and devoted her time to her community and religion.
The life of Rose Swisher was very impactful, and she lived fighting for the black race.
She will be remembered as the iconic activist and the ex-wife of legendary basketballer Bill Russell.
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