Tallest Miss America Contestant Ever: Jeanne Robertson Dies After Sudden Illness
The 6'2" former Miss North Carolina, known for her razor-sharp wit and viral stories, leaves fans stunned after her sudden passing at 77.
Jeanne Robertson was Miss North Carolina in 1963 and became a beloved humorist and storyteller. At 6 foot 2 inches, she is the tallest contestant ever to participate in the Miss America pageant. By the time of her death, she had built an estimated net worth of around $1 million.
Personal life
In 1965, while attending Auburn University, Jeanne married Walter Bailey Bowline III. The couple had one son, Walter Bailey “Beaver” Bowline, before divorcing in the early 1970s.
In 1974, she married Jerry Robertson, a former Duke University basketball player and educator. Jeanne often referred to him affectionately as “Left Brain” in her routines. Jerry passed away in June 2021, just two months before Jeanne.
How did Jeanne Robertson die?
On August 12, 2021, it was announced that some of Robertson’s future engagements had been canceled due to a “serious but non-COVID-related” illness.
She died at her home in Burlington, North Carolina on August 21, 2021, at age 77.
Robertson is survived by her only son Beaver (from her first marriage).