'Marge Simpson' Inspiration Dead at 94

Margaret Ruth Groening, Matt's mom, was married to real-life Homer
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted May 7, 2013 8:22 AM CDT
'Marge Simpson' Inspiration Dead at 94
Matt Groening, center, is flanked by people costumed as, from left, Homer Simpson, Bart Simpson, Lisa Simpson, and Marge Simpson holding Maggie Simpson.   (AP Photo/Alaric Lambert)

You might recognize some names in the obituary published yesterday for Margaret Ruth Groening, who died last month at age 94: She was married to Homer and had two daughters named Lisa and Maggie ... plus a son named Matt, of Simpsons fame. Yes, Margaret Groening was the inspiration for Marge Simpson, and here's a sweet line from her obituary about why she chose Homer Groening for her husband: "He made her laugh the most." Groening also had a third daughter, Patty, and a second son, Mark.

Groening never actually went by "Marge," the Oregonian notes, but many equated her with the TV mom nonetheless. As one commenter wrote to Matt in the online obituary guest book, "Your mom became everyone's mom." The Simpsons creator has said more than once that the characters were named after his family; he even gave one character, Chief Wiggum, his mom's maiden name. (More Matt Groening stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X