Lou Gehrig’s wife, Eleanor Gehrig, outlived him by many years, passing away on March 6, 1984.
Eleanor Twitchell Gehrig was widowed when Lou Gehrig passed away in 1941 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which later became commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. After her husband’s death, Eleanor dedicated herself to supporting ALS research and worked with the Muscular Dystrophy Association. She never remarried and remained a prominent figure in the baseball community, often attending events and ceremonies honoring her late husband.
Eleanor was instrumental in preserving Lou Gehrig’s legacy, and she was a key figure in the production of the film “The Pride of the Yankees,” which was a biographical film about her husband’s life and career. She served as a consultant to ensure the film accurately represented Gehrig’s story.
Throughout her life, Eleanor was known for her philanthropy and her efforts to raise awareness about ALS. She maintained her connection with the New York Yankees and was a respected figure in the world of baseball until her death in 1984 at the age of 79. Her ashes were interred with her husband’s in Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York, ensuring that they would be together for eternity.