Meet Cleo Shelby

[CobraDan]

An exciting day at the monthly Dream Car Classic in Downtown Hollywood, FL

[mickmate]

Nice one!

[DanEC]

Very interesting. Thanks.

[Mark IV]

His estranged wife at the end of his life...........

But she certainly is not milking it!

[twobjshelbys]

I've met with her several times. To me, a very classy lady.

[Chook]

Nice clip.
Does anyone have the time line of all of Shelby's wives, who they were and further details?
Curiosity has got the better of me, and I couldn't dig up a comprehensive list from the net!
Thanks

[CobraDan]

1. Shelby's first wife was Jeanne Fields; they married on December 18, 1943. Their daughter Sharon Anne Shelby was born a year later on September 27, 1944. They had two more children — sons named Michael Hall (born November 2, 1946) and Patrick Bert (born October 23, 1947). Shelby and Fields later separated and divorced in February 1960.

2. The second of five wives was the movie and TV star Jan Harrison. Married September 1960, but only lasted a few months.

3. His third wife was Sue Stafford.

4. The fourth was Swedish-born Lena Dahl Shelby, Married in August 1990, who died in a 1997 highway accident. Afterwards, he said that he was never going to get married again.

5. Nevertheless, four month later, he married Cleo Patricia Marguerita Shelby, a vivacious Briton who was always by his side, even as she pursued her interests in flying, art and jewelry. Shelby married surviving spouse Cleo Shelby in Las Vegas in 1997 Cleo, an English woman considerably his junior. But the marriage had problems and Shelby had a divorce petition pending in Texas. Shelby met Cleo in 1970 & married her 27 years later.
It’s an interesting note regarding his personality that he maintained good relations with all his exes.
Like many high-profile men, Shelby seemed to have trouble staying married.
Shelby's survivors consist of his wife, Cleo Shelby; his sister and only sibling, Anne Shelby Ellison; daughter Sharon Lavine and sons Michael and Patrick Shelby (all three from his first marriage to Jeanne Fields); six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by CobraDan

1. Shelby's first wife was Jeanne Fields; they married on December 18, 1943. Their daughter Sharon Anne Shelby was born a year later on September 27, 1944. They had two more children — sons named Michael Hall (born November 2, 1946) and Patrick Bert (born October 23, 1947). Shelby and Fields later separated and divorced in February 1960.

2. The second of five wives was the movie and TV star Jan Harrison. Married September 1960, but only lasted a few months.

3. His third wife was Sue Stafford.

4. The fourth was Swedish-born Lena Dahl Shelby, Married in August 1990, who died in a 1997 highway accident. Afterwards, he said that he was never going to get married again.

5. Nevertheless, four month later, he married Cleo Patricia Marguerita Shelby, a vivacious Briton who was always by his side, even as she pursued her interests in flying, art and jewelry. Shelby married surviving spouse Cleo Shelby in Las Vegas in 1997 Cleo, an English woman considerably his junior. But the marriage had problems and Shelby had a divorce petition pending in Texas. Shelby met Cleo in 1970 & married her 27 years later.
It’s an interesting note regarding his personality that he maintained good relations with all his exes.
Like many high-profile men, Shelby seemed to have trouble staying married.
Shelby's survivors consist of his wife, Cleo Shelby; his sister and only sibling, Anne Shelby Ellison; daughter Sharon Lavine and sons Michael and Patrick Shelby (all three from his first marriage to Jeanne Fields); six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

In the "authorized biography" by Rinsey Mills I counted SEVEN wives including the 18 year old that only lasted a short time.

[Chook]

I thought there was seven in total too.
Cheers for the list Dan - v. Interesting!!

[Ron61]

Great interview and I enjoyed it. She is a very nice woman and has some good causes she supports. Thanks for posting it.

Ron

[CobraDan]

I ran into articles that said 7 wife's also but when it came to names & dates most articles only listed 5.

[cobrajeff]

Here's a photo of Shelby's first wife, Jeanne:



She attended SOA III in Wichita, KS, with Shelby back in 1974. That's Jeanne Shelby on the right, and my first wife, Diane
on the left in her famous "Shelby dress".

Jeff

[CobraDan]

This Shelby family photo was taken towards the beginning of the fifties. Shelby is holding one of his many trophies with Sharon on his left, then Patrick, Jeanne and Michael. (Photo: Joel Finn Collection)