Marilyn Nault

Marilyn Nault was an American jewelry saleswoman who became famous for being the wife of American professional basketball player Bill Russell.  Her husband was a star player for the Celtics in the NBA during his heydays.

Nault was born on January 15, 1950, in Concordia, Kansas, and is American by birth. She had Caucasian ethnicity and her parents were Quentin and Helen Nault. By all accounts, she was a kind and patient person.

By profession, Marilyn Nault used to be a saleswoman of expensive jewelry. But all that changed when she met the man of her dreams.

This Is What Happened To Marilyn Nault

Marilyn Nault passed away on January 21, 2009, at Virginia Mason Hospital, Seattle, Washington at the age of fifty-nine years of age. She had cancer for a long time prior to her passing and was getting treatments.

Marilyn was mourned by her husband, Bill Russell, her mother Helen, and her four brothers as well as her nephews and nieces. Her husband Bill Russell also passed away years later on July 31, 2022. 

In a 2009 interview, Bill talked about her passing and said:

She was the great gift that God gave me, and cancer took that away. I'm wounded by that. I'll never be the same. 

Married Life Of Marilyn Nault And Bill Russell

The lovely couple Marilyn Nault And Bill Russell started dating in 1996 when she started working for him as his assistant. She was a longtime friend of Bill previously.  

Nault and Russell dated for years and later got engaged in the late 1990s. They soon tied the knot on February 17, 2000. By all accounts, there was a loving union, and the pair supported each other. 

Nault often went by the name Marilyn Nault Russell in her personal life among her friends and family. She spent her days as a homemaker and a celebrity wife after her marriage.

About Nault & Russell's Relationship Beginnings

Russell and Nault met in 1973 in Seattle when he visited the jewelry store she was working at. They hit it off immediately and quickly became fast friends. According to Marilyn: 

Let me tell you, working in a jewelry store is the worst place to meet a man, because if one comes in, it's to buy something for another woman.

Through Russell's brief second marriage and afterward, they remained good friends. Bill had a good impression of the lady and they had a good rapport.

In 1995, Bill's secretary died and Nault offered her assistance. The pair realized that they had a love for each other after almost twenty years of meeting. They dated for years and tied the knot in 2000.

According to Russell's stepdaughter Karen:

They're the ultimate '50s couple. They have nothing but kind things to say about each other, and it's part of their arrangement that at least once a day, he has to make her laugh

Net Worth: Marilyn Nault Married A Millionaire 

At the time of his passing, Bill Russell had an estimated net worth of $10 million. He gained his net worth through a combination of his NBA salary, various business ventures, and endorsements.

Following his retirement from basketball, Russell went on to pursue various business ventures. He owned a car dealership and a radio station. He also worked as a basketball analyst for several networks and appeared in commercials and advertisements for various companies.

Marilyn, on the other hand, came from a simple background. Her family owned a jewelry store in her hometown of Concordia and both her parents held regular jobs.

Family Details Of Marilyn 

Bill Russell's wife Marilyn Nault was born in Concordia, Kansas as the only sister of four boys. Her parents, Quentin, and Helen Nault had a long and happy marriage. Sadly, her father passed away on January 21, 1987.

Nault's father Quentin was a military veteran of WWII and owned a jewelry store similar to American politician Patty Murray's father. Among his affiliations were the Catholic Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Concordia Country Club, Elks, and the American Gem Society.

Nault's mother also passed away on April 12, 2022, at the age of ninety-five. She co-owned the family jewelry store with her late husband and held jobs as a secretary and a cashier.

Early Life

Marilyn Nault was born in Concordia, Kansas. She went to a local Catholic public school and later Catholic High School. After high school, she later moved to Seattle to pursue life as a jewelry salesperson. 

According to records, Nault later went to Portland, Oregon with her brother Kyle in her thirties. However, she later moved to Seattle in the 1970s.

Bill Russell's Wife Nault Was Raised A Christian

Nault comes from a Catholic Christian family. Her parents Quentin Nault and Helen Nault were a loving couple and were a dual-income household. Her parents were regular churchgoers. 

Nault's parents Quentin and Nault were members of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Concordia. Like her, her brothers also went to church.

Hobbies  Of Marilyn Nault

Nault was reportedly an excellent homemaker. She had an artistic eye and loved jewelry. As an NBA coach's wife, she was involved in basketball topics.

Bill Russell's wife Nault was an amazing dominoes player and had an interest in watches. She also loved traveling with her husband and spending time in nature.

Marilyn's memory is one of a person with a quick wit and a generous spirit. She left a lasting impression on many people with her warmth and genuine interest in their lives. 

Physical Appearance

Bill Russell's third spouse Nault was a gentle and calm woman. She was a beautiful lady who gave a soothing and reassuring vibe. 

Nault was fair-skinned and often colored her hair red. She was a tall woman and had a height of 5 ft 8 in. She had a healthy glow that was sadly eroded by cancer in her later life.

Interestingly, Nault has an age gap of sixteen years with her spouse, Bill Russell. Her husband was a tall and athletic African American man.

About Marilyn Nault's Husband Bill Russell

Bill Russell was a retired American professional basketball player. He is widely considered one of the greatest players in NBA history. He played college basketball at the University of San Francisco, where he won two NCAA championships. 

Russell was named the College Player of the Year two times. He was then drafted by the Boston Celtics as the second overall pick in the 1956 NBA draft. During his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics, he helped the team win 11 NBA championships.

Nault's husband Russell was named the NBA Most Valuable Player five times. He was known for his exceptional defensive skills, rebounding, and shot-blocking abilities, and was a key player in the Celtics' dynasty of the 1950s and 1960s.

After retiring from basketball in 1969, Russell went on to become a coach and later an NBA analyst. He was also a vocal civil rights activist and was involved in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, participating in protests and speaking out against racism in sports and society at large.

Bill's Date Of Birth & Hometown

Nault's husband Bill was born on February 12, 1934, in Monroe, Louisiana. However, he grew up in Oakland, California. 

Unfortunately, Bill passed away on  July 31, 2022, at the age of eighty-eight.

How Many Rings Does Bill Russell Have?

In his NBA career, Bill Russell remains one of the greatest players to date. He played for thirteen seasons, from 1957-1969. He has also won multiple coveted NBA championship rings.

Bill Russell has won a total of 11 championships during his career with the Boston Celtics. This feat makes him one of the most successful players in the history of the sport.

Although Bill is not in this world his legacy as a leader and winner continues to inspire basketball players and fans around the world.

What Happened to Bill's Rings?

Bill Russell auctioned off his first and eleventh rings in a 2021 auction. The two rings were sold for $700 thousand and $550 thousand respectively.

The other nine rings remaining part of Bill's estate is still a mystery. They are quite possibly with his children and grandkids, and his widow.

Marilyn Nault's Husband Was Married Four Times

Bill Russell has been married four times in his life. He first married his high school sweetheart, Rose Swisher, in 1956. They had three children together but they grew apart and eventually divorced in 1973.

Russell then married his second wife, Dorothy Anstett, a model, and actress in 1977. She was the Miss USA 1968  title holder. Sadly, their marriage ended in divorce three years later in 1980.

In 1996, Russell met Marilyn Nault, and they married in 2000. The union lasted till her death in 2009. After being widowed, he later married Jeanine Fiorito Russell in 2016. The marriage lasted till his death in 2022.

Only Russell's first wife, Rose Swisher was an African American woman. The rest of his wives were of Caucasian ethnicity. This was a viral topic for many fans.

Nault Was A Stepmother To Russell's Children

Nault was a caring stepmother to her husband's three children born from his first marriage. She never has any kids of her own. Her oldest stepchild is Bill Jr, who was named after his father. 

Bill Jr was born in 1957. Then there is his younger brother, Jacob Russell who was a troublemaker. He was born in 1959.

The youngest child is Karen Russell who was born in 1962. All the siblings grew up with each other and were often times the only Black kids in their schools and neighborhoods.

Nault's Oldest Stepson Also Died From Cancer

Marilyn's oldest stepson, William Felton Russell Jr., named after his father, Bill Russell, the basketball legend, sadly passed away in 2016. He was born on November 2, 1957, from his father's first marriage to Rose Swisher.

From an early age, Williams Jr. had a fascination with trucks, which led him to pursue his passion for driving. He worked for Cox Trucking for several years. 

Williams Jr. was known by his nickname "Buddha." He died due to cancer and passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 25, 2016. He was with his partner Sherrill Hansen, his son Sean Tyler Russell as well as his family.

About Stepson Jacob

Jacob H. Russell has largely remained out of the public eye. As the youngest son of the NBA legend Bill Russell, information about him is scarce. 

Jacob is a graduate of the Galileo Academy of Science and Technology and has worked as a digital artist. He is the Transit Operator at King County Metro Transit.

Jacob is a married man and he resides with his wife Sara Marckx Russell in Washington State. He is a skilled string instrument player. The couple has a son named Miles.

Cancer Activism

Ever since Marilyn Nault died of cancer, Bill Russell had used his platform to raise awareness about the disease and raise funds for research.

Bill's brother author Charlie L. Russell, and his son, Bill Jr. also passed from the disease. Russell, as well as his Celtics team, did a lot of charity and awareness programs for the disease.

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Nault's Stepdaughter Karen Is A Hotshot Lawyer

Karen Kenyatta Russell is a graduate of Harvard Law School. She is a prominent legal and political analyst, appearing frequently on CNN, MSNBC, and TruTV, where she dissects high-profile trials and debates national political issues. Jill Filipovic is also another high-profile lawyer and feminist.

Karen has provided legal commentary on several high-profile cases, including Michael Jackson, Scott Peterson, and the Duke Lacrosse Rape Case. She is also a producer of benefit events, including The Bill Russell Tribute, and has been on many TV and Radio shows.

Nault's stepdaughter Karen is also an attorney, corporate trainer, and political strategist. She helps employers create a positive work environment, boost productivity, and resolve employment issues before they become lawsuits. 

Karen is a prominent civil rights activist, and her work has been featured in several publications, including the New York Times Sunday Magazine and the Seattle Times. She does public speaking and panels.

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