When you hear the name Ray Kroc, your mind probably jumps to McDonald’s, fast food, and business dominance. But hidden behind his towering legacy is the name Jane Dobbins Green, a woman whose life is often reduced to a footnote as “Ray Kroc’s second wife.” While the marriage to Kroc forms a notable chapter in her story, there’s much more to Jane’s life than most people realize. She lived through eras of great social change, made her way through the Hollywood elite, and eventually chose a life of privacy and peace far from the public spotlight.
Early Life: Quiet Beginnings in Washington
Jane Dobbins Green was born on November 22, 1911, in Walla Walla, Washington, a small city with a humble American backdrop. Raised by her parents, Warren David Dobbins and Grace Myrtle Duncan Frechette, Jane grew up during a time of shifting values in early 20th-century America. Details about her early years are scarce, which isn’t surprising given that women of her era were often overlooked in public records unless tied to a prominent man. But it’s clear that her upbringing gave her the independence and character to later navigate complex social circles.
From Hollywood Secretary to High-Profile Marriage
Before marrying Ray Kroc, Jane had a career of her own—working as a secretary for Hollywood icon John Wayne. That job placed her in the middle of Los Angeles’ bustling entertainment industry, where she built connections and experienced the lifestyle of the elite. It was during this time that she met Ray Kroc, a man who was already starting to make a name for himself through McDonald’s.
The two married in 1963, during a period when Ray was undergoing personal upheaval. He had recently ended his first marriage with Ethel Fleming, and his career was entering a period of intense growth. Jane offered stability and calm during those years. She brought a level of grace and elegance that balanced Ray’s high-strung ambition. But their marriage didn’t last.
A Brief Marriage with a Complicated Ending
Though Jane and Ray stayed married for five years, their relationship wasn’t destined to last. Behind the scenes, Ray still held strong feelings for Joan Beverly Smith, a woman he had met during the 1950s. These feelings eventually led to the breakdown of his marriage with Jane. By 1968, the couple officially divorced, and Ray married Joan the following year.
Jane and Ray had no children together, and after their separation, she quickly faded from the media’s attention. Ray’s life continued in the spotlight, while Jane took a different route.
Life After Ray Kroc: A Step Away from Fame
After her divorce from one of the most well-known businessmen in American history, Jane chose not to return to the celebrity lifestyle. Instead, she built a quieter life. In 1984, she married Paul D. Whitney, a man far removed from the fast-food world and its constant buzz. With Paul, Jane found the kind of peace and stability she seemed to have wanted all along.
They lived in Los Angeles, where Jane stayed for the remainder of her life. Despite being once married to a man who forever changed American dining habits, Jane kept her distance from the spotlight and rarely appeared in public events or interviews.
Final Years and Legacy
Jane Dobbins Green passed away on August 7, 2000, at the age of 88, in Los Angeles, California. She was laid to rest at Westwood Memorial Park, a cemetery known for being the final resting place of many entertainment figures. Her life ended quietly, just as she had chosen to live it after her time with Ray Kroc.
Though her chapter in Ray’s story was brief, it was impactful. She was with him during a transitional period, a time when McDonald’s was still evolving into the empire it would become. While Joan Kroc often gets the recognition for being Ray’s partner during the peak of his fame and philanthropy, Jane played her own role during the growth years.
Misunderstood and Often Misidentified
In recent years, Jane has been mistaken online for the British-American novelist Jane Green, leading to widespread confusion. While the author Jane Green is known for her fiction novels, Jane Dobbins Green had no links to the literary world. Unfortunately, this name mix-up has contributed to misinformation in various online articles and biographies, robbing Jane Dobbins Green of her own identity and story.
Missing from the History Books
One glaring omission is her absence from the 2016 film The Founder, which dramatizes Ray Kroc’s life and the rise of McDonald’s. In the movie, much attention is given to Joan Kroc and Ray’s business dealings, but Jane’s role is completely left out. Whether intentional or not, this left a significant gap in portraying the full personal story of Ray Kroc.
Jane’s story might not be one filled with headlines, book deals, or celebrity interviews, but it’s a reminder of how many women supported powerful men behind the scenes—only to be forgotten when the spotlight moved on.
Final Thoughts
Jane Dobbins Green lived a life of dignity, privacy, and grace. From her days as John Wayne’s secretary to her marriage with Ray Kroc, and later her quiet years with Paul Whitney, she witnessed and experienced major cultural shifts without letting them define her. While she may never be as widely recognized as Joan Kroc, Jane’s presence in Ray’s life was real and meaningful.
Sometimes, the most compelling stories aren’t the loudest ones. Jane’s legacy lies not in fame, but in choosing a path of peace over publicity—a story worth telling in its own right.