Despite Having 7 Kids, John Wayne Was Buried in Private & His Grave Went Unmarked for 20 Years

John Wayne, whose Hollywood career lasted more than 50 years, rose to fame as an emblem of the Wild West. But his grave would go unmarked for decades after his passing, which always sparked questions. Hollywood actor John Wayne was most known for his western-themed movies. But more than anything, his admirers adored him because, unlike other Hollywood celebrities, he took the time to patiently respond to each and every fan letter. The actor who played “The Lady of the Night” enjoyed a fruitful acting career, appearing in over 100 films and winning an Oscar Award. Wayne was a devoted father to a brood of seven kids away from the silver screen.

Married to his first wife, Josephine Alicia Saenz, in 1933, the couple had four children, Melinda Wayne, Michael Wayne, Patrick Wayne, and Mary Antonia “Ton” Wayne. The marriage ended in 1945, and he had three more children, Aissa Wayne, Marissa Wayne, and John Ethan Wayne, with his third wife, Pilar Palette.He was a doting father to his children, and for the years that have passed after his death, they have strived to keep his memories and legacy alive.

Wayne met his untimely death from stomach cancer after a successful career as a no-nonsense American hero in more than 200 Western films. He had enrolled in a cancer vaccine study to help with the illness. Unfortunately, on June 11, 1979, the acclaimed actor succumbed to the disease while at the UCLA Medical Center. He was buried at the Pacific View Memorial Park Cemetery at Newport Beach, on an ocean-view hillside, a spot that remained a secret for decades.

For years, his grave’s location remained a mystery to many as guards locked fans out of his funeral service. His farewell ceremony remained a private affair, and his grave was left unmarked for two decades. Out of respect for the family, the cemetery never disclosed the location of his grave. Still, those conversant with the ways of the internet can easily follow a step-by-step guide to the exact spot where the “Duke” was laid to rest.

Jim Tipton, who operates a website dedicated to finding the graves of famous people, says that over seven thousand people visited his website attempting to find Wayne’s final resting place over six weeks. He says: “It’s not some ghoulish, morbid thing. It’s more about remembering the person as they lived. You go there because you respected the person and their life.”

REMEMBERING THEIR DAD : Wayne is remembered for more than just the tremendous impact he made on people’s lives through his films. His children hold his memories dear to their hearts and honor him for the wonderful father that he was. Ethan remembers an affectionate dad who would always pick him up, kiss him on the head, and tell him that he loved him. His other children recall how kind and loving their father was, each with a story of how he impacted their lives with even the smallest actions. These included playing golf with them and taking them with him to the set of his movies.

PROTECTING HIS LEGACY : His presence as a dad is just one of the many reasons his kids came to his defense when he came under fire for saying that he believed in “white supremacy” during an interview with Playboy in 1971. Although his comments on the subject caused controversy among many circles, his children defended him. They explained that he was, more than anything, a people person and anything but a racist. Ethan disclosed that Wayne judged everyone individually and believed in everyone having an equal opportunity. He recalled how Wayne had hired and worked alongside people of all sexual orientations, creeds, and races to put his point to perspective.

A SIMPLE HEADSTONE FOR A NOT-SO-SIMPLE MAN : Today, the Duke’s resting place is marked with a bronze plaque that displays Wayne riding a horse, with a U.S flag dancing in the wind. On the plaque is a quote from his infamous Playboy interview.