Rose Swisher is the wife of Bill Russell, a former professional basketball player in the United States. Bill Russell is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players ever. He is an equivalent of our modern-day Michael Jordan, having won 11 NBA championships with the Boston Celtics between 1956 and 1969.
Rose Swisher’s Early Life and Marriage
Bill Russell and Rose Swisher married in 1956 and were together for 17 years until their contentious divorce in 1973. Their marriage produced three kids, Karen Russell, Jacob Russell, and William Russell Jr.
Bill did not have another child in his other marriages. The reasons for their divorce remain some sort of a mystery, considering that they were college sweethearts. But it has been said that they grew emotionally distant over the years. That is probably the weight running two different careers in sports and civil justice had on their marriage.
Even though Swisher was married to an American star, she largely stayed out of the public’s eye. But she was a supportive partner during the years they spent together. Also, Rose Swisher was involved in various charitable and philanthropic causes.
Who Is Bill Russell?
It’s impossible to tell Swisher’s story without referencing the NBA legend Bill Russell. Bill is the subject of a new two-part Netflix documentary about his outstanding achievements on and off the court.
Although Bill Russel was married several times during his lifetime, his marriage to Rose Swisher was the most notable. The primary reason is because that’s the only one that yielded children.
Following Bill and Swisher’s divorce in 1973, he married a white woman, Dorothy Anstett, in 1977. But their marriage faced public backlash until their divorce three years later.
Interracial marriages were still relatively uncommon in those days in the mainland United States. His third wife after Dorothy was Marilyn Nault, and they were married until Marilyn died in 2009.
Rose Swisher’s Legacy
There is little information about Rose Swisher as she lived a private life, far away from the media, until her death. But that did not stop her from leaving behind a legacy. In the 1960s, Swisher was active in the fight against civil injustice in America.
She is regarded as a good product of the American civil rights movements that created change in America. Before the term supermodel became a thing in corporate America, Rose Swisher had borne the title in the 50s and 60s as she was a Black Panther, a feminist, and an activist.
Swisher graduated with a Nursing degree from the University of San Francisco, where Bill also obtained a degree in Physical Education. She was also a renowned photographer and model. It was reported that she also earned features on the cover of Ebony magazine, fashion runways, and as the face of Maybelline Cosmetics.
Rose Swisher’s Private Life
It was clear that Rose Swisher moved on with her life following the collapse of her marriage with Bill. But she moved on to a more private life, making it hard to determine if she ever remarried.
On the other hand, Bill remained married until his death on July 31, 2022. He married Jeannine Fiorito, a former pro golfer who stayed by his side until his death. The pair did a lot of golfing together, even in Bill’s old age.
Rose Swisher’s Death
Rose Swisher passed away on September 11, 2014, prompting nationwide tributes to the American supermodel. Her cause of death was never made public because of her lowkey lifestyle, but it is assumed she died of old age. Swisher was survived by her three children.
One of her sons, William Jr, passed away from cancer in 2016, and he lived a private life like his mother. Swisher’s only daughter, Karen Russell, is the most popular among all her kids. She is an alumnus of Georgetown University and a Harvard-trained employment lawyer. Till today, Karen remains a television pundit, lawyer, human rights advocate, and political activist.
Rose Swisher’s relationship with her husband, children, and society was inspirational. She was known not just for being Bill’s wife but for purpose and passion. It is, therefore, a known fact that her lifestyle and activism set a path for her children, especially Karen, who continues to make an impact with her career.