Maxine Sneed is the former editor of Black Radio Magazine but is more famously known as the former wife of famous Canadian–American actor, director, writer, comedian, and cannabis rights activist Tommy Chong.
The pair have one of Hollywood’s most complicated love stories, but despite it all, they have remained good friends. When the popular cannabis rights activist talks about her, he praises her and the work she put into raising their kids.
Since their split, Sneed has gone under the radar, embracing a more slow-paced lifestyle. Keep reading to explore lesser-known aspects of this resilient woman’s life and learn more about her complicated history with Tommy Chong.
Who Was Tommy Chongs’ First Wife?
The first woman Tommy Chongs ever married was Maxine Sneed. She is believed to have been born on September 23, 1961. There is also barely any information about her parents and close relatives, as her life had been chiefly private until her marriage to Chong.
When they tied the knot, public interest in her surged, and while it has dramatically reduced since their divorce, it has never ultimately died down. Some sources have claimed that Sneed holds Canadian and American citizenship, and it has been confirmed that she is of Cherokee and Afro-Canadian descent.
Maxine Sneed Career
Sneed has lived a very private life, so there are many gaps in what is known about her professional life. We know that she once held the post of former editor of Black Radio Magazine.
However, the precise duration of time she spent with the magazine has not been revealed. Some sources also claim she has liaised with some big corporate houses as a proofreader.
What Happened Between Tommy Chong and Maxine Sneed?
Maxine Sneed and Tommy Chong were introduced to each other by her brother Bernie, Chong’s bandmate. They started dating soon after, but then Chong suddenly changed his career, becoming a truck driver, and Sneed, uninterested in dating a trucker, broke up with him.
Their relationship slowly faded away after that, but it was not the end. Chong was still very much in love with Sneed, but he tried to move on. He got into a relationship with a lady named Gail Toulson and ultimately proposed to her.
However, the level of love he felt for her was subdued compared to his raging emotions regarding Sneed. Ultimately, Chong called off his engagement with Gail, who did not seem bothered about the split.
In the process of calling off their engagement, Gail got pregnant with Chong’s child, and months later, they welcomed Rae Dawn, who resided with her for the first month of her life.
Sneed, who was also not entirely over Chong, later called to express her feelings for him and let him know she was ready to get married. The news made Chong happy, and he immediately agreed to get hitched with her.
They tied the knot on her birthday, September 23. Afterward, the pair moved from Calgary to Vancouver, where Sneed started working as a secretary in a large firm. At the same time, Chong did his part by working as a salesman at a family-owned bakery.
The couple became biological parents for the first time when they welcomed their daughter, Robbi. Tommy Chong and Maxine Sneed moved to a new house shortly after her birth.
Tommy Chong and Maxine Sneed’s Divorce
Upon settling down in their new home, Chong quickly realized something. Their next-door neighbor, Shelby, was a woman he had previously encountered at a dance party. It began what eventually led to the ruin of their family.
Chong ultimately started a secret affair involving drug use with Shelby, leading to her getting pregnant. Unable to stomach his unfaithfulness, Sneed left Chong in 1974 and moved with their daughters to Detroit. Then, later, Los Angeles.
Tommy Chong also relocated to L.A. and stayed with Sneed and their daughters for a while. Their marriage did not go as planned, but they have remained good friends.
Chong never fails to point out how kind Sneed has been to him. She reportedly gave him money when he got too broke to care for himself and Shelby.
Does he regret what happened? Perhaps. Can he change it? Not anymore. That ship has sailed, never to return. Since their split, Maxine Sneed has lived under the radar, avoiding social media while doing things that make her happy.
Other women like Sneed who have relegated themselves to living private lives after separation from their famous spouses include Anya Longwell, Melanie Lynn Clapp, and Opal Stone Perlman.
