Who Was Edith Mack Hirsch, Desi Arnaz’s Wife After Lucille Ball?

When people talk about Desi Arnaz, they usually think of him with Lucille Ball. Their love story, both on and off the screen, was known all over the world. But after that chapter of his life ended, something quiet and beautiful began. That’s when he met Edith Mack Hirsch.

Edith wasn’t a celebrity. She wasn’t in the spotlight. But she became the woman who stood beside Desi during the calm years of his life. She gave him peace, support, and love. A lot of people don’t know her name, but once you learn about her, you’ll understand why Desi called her the love of his life.

In this article, we’ll walk through who she was, where she came from, and how her quiet presence made a big difference—not just in Desi’s life, but in the hearts of those who knew her.

Edith Mack Hirsch Quick Bio

Who Was Edith Mack Hirsch?

Edith Mack Hirsch was a gentle and kind woman. Most people remember her as Desi Arnaz’s wife after Lucille Ball, but there was so much more to her than that. She was someone who stayed out of the spotlight, even though she was married to a man the whole world knew.

She was born as Edith Mack McSkimming, and she lived a private, peaceful life. Edith wasn’t interested in fame. She just wanted a simple life filled with love and kindness. She didn’t try to stand out. Instead, she focused on helping others and supporting the people she loved. And for Desi, she became his safe place after years of living in the fast lane.

 Her Early Life in Illinois

Edith was born on April 15, 1917, in Illinois, right in the middle of the United States. Not much is known about her childhood, because Edith was the kind of person who kept her personal life private. She didn’t talk much about her family or growing up, and there aren’t many public records about that time in her life.

But we do know this: she was kind, thoughtful, and always willing to help others. People who knew her said she had a gentle soul. She went to school in Illinois and spent most of her early years there. While we don’t know if she went to college, it’s clear that she was smart, caring, and full of heart.

Edith Mack Hirsch’s First Marriage

Before she met Desi Arnaz, Edith was married to a man named Clement L. Hirsch. He was a well-known businessman who worked in horse racing. He helped start a horse racing group in California and had a good reputation in that world.

We don’t know much about their marriage—how long it lasted or why it ended. But by 1963, Edith and Clement had already gone their separate ways. And like many parts of her life, she didn’t talk about it publicly. She quietly moved on and started a new chapter, one that would change everything.

How She Met Desi Arnaz

In 1963, something unexpected happened—Edith met Desi Arnaz. This was three years after Desi’s very public divorce from Lucille Ball. At that time, Desi was still famous, but his life had slowed down. He was looking for peace, not fame. And that’s when Edith came into his world.

No one knows exactly how they met. It’s one of those quiet stories that never got told in magazines or TV interviews. But what we do know is this: they fell in love fast. Just six months after meeting, they got married on March 2, 1963, at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. That day also happened to be Desi’s birthday.

For Desi, it felt like a fresh start. He had already lived a very public life. Now, with Edith, he was ready for something simpler—something real.

Life as Desi Arnaz’s Wife After Lucille Ball

Being the next wife after someone like Lucille Ball wasn’t easy. Lucille was loved by millions. She was funny, famous, and full of energy. So of course, people were curious about Desi’s new wife. Some even wondered if their marriage would last.

But Edith wasn’t trying to take anyone’s place. She didn’t want the spotlight. She just wanted a happy home. And that’s exactly what she gave Desi. Their life was calm, private, and full of quiet moments that mattered. Desi, who had once been caught up in the rush of showbiz, now had someone who made him slow down and smile.

Their Private Married Life

After they got married, Edith and Desi moved to Del Mar, California—a peaceful beach town away from the noise of Hollywood. They lived a simple life there. No big parties. No flashing cameras. Just long walks, good conversations, and the joy of being together.

Desi even stepped away from the spotlight so he could spend more time at home. He had done everything he needed to do in his career. Now, he wanted to focus on being a husband. And Edith made that life feel warm and safe.

They didn’t have children together, but they didn’t need to. Their love was enough. They stayed happily married for 22 years, until Edith’s passing in 1985.

Stepmother to Lucie and Desi Arnaz Jr.

Even though Edith didn’t have kids of her own, she became a stepmother to Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr., the children Desi had with Lucille Ball. Being a step-parent is never easy, especially when the children come from a very famous family. But Edith handled it with care and kindness.

She didn’t try to be their mom. She simply became someone they could trust. A quiet presence. A steady supporter. She helped Desi stay close to his kids and made sure they all felt like a family.

Edith Mack Hirsch’s Role as a Humanitarian

Even though Edith Mack Hirsch became known to the world as Desi Arnaz’s wife after Lucille Ball, she also had a quiet passion for helping others. She didn’t just support Desi—she cared about people in general. Friends and family described her as someone who was always kind, thoughtful, and giving.

Edith didn’t join Hollywood or chase fame. Instead, she used her time to support good causes. She liked to help those who were struggling and often gave her time to charity work. Even though she never bragged about it, many people remembered her for her gentle heart and warm spirit.

Her work as a humanitarian never made the news. But to those she helped, it mattered. And that’s something beautiful about her life—she didn’t need attention to do good things.

Edith Mack Hirsch’s Death and Legacy

Sadly, Edith’s health began to get worse in the early 1980s. On March 25, 1985, she passed away at the age of 67 in Del Mar, California. The cause was cancer, but the exact type was never shared with the public.

Her death came quietly, just like the way she lived. But it left a big hole in Desi’s life. They had been together for more than two decades, and losing her was incredibly hard for him. He had finally found someone who brought him peace—and now she was gone.

Even after all these years, people still speak kindly about her. Fans of Desi Arnaz remember Edith not just as his wife, but as the woman who truly loved him when he needed it most. Her memory lives on through that love.

What Happened to Desi Arnaz After Her Passing?

After Edith passed away, Desi’s health also started to decline. He had already lived a full life, but the sadness of losing Edith weighed heavily on him. Less than a year later, in December 1986, he was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Desi passed away on December 2, 1986, at the age of 69. Many people believe he died with a broken heart. He had once said that even though his first marriage didn’t work out, Edith had brought him the kind of love he had always hoped for.

Before he died, Desi was asked what I Love Lucy meant to him. He answered, “It wasn’t just the name of the show. It was how I felt.” And even though Lucille Ball had once been that love, it was Edith who stood by his side until the very end.

Facts About Edith Mack Hirsch You May Not Know

There are a few more things about Edith that many people don’t know. For example, her full birth name was Edith Mack McSkimming. She stood about 5 feet 5 inches tall and had soft brown hair and kind blue eyes.

She loved traveling, exploring new places, and meeting new people. She also had a great sense of humor and was always polite and friendly. Some even said she looked a little like Lucille Ball, which made people curious at first—but Edith never paid attention to those comments.

Even though she lived a private life, her story continues to reach new generations, especially those who want to know more about Desi Arnaz’s life after Lucille Ball.

Final Thoughts

So why does Edith’s story still matter in 2025? Because it shows that you don’t have to be famous to be important. You don’t need to be on a movie screen to touch someone’s life. Sometimes, quiet love and loyal friendship are the most powerful things of all.

Edith Mack Hirsch may not have had her name in lights, but her presence in Desi’s life was like a light to him. She gave him calm after chaos, comfort after heartbreak, and love after loss. That’s something people should never forget.

Even now, when fans look back on Desi Arnaz’s life, they remember the wild love he had with Lucille Ball—but they also smile when they learn about Edith. Because she was the one who stayed beside him when the cameras were off, and real life began.

(FAQs)

Did Edith Mack Hirsch have any children?

No, Edith Mack Hirsch never had children of her own. But she became a loving stepmother to Desi Arnaz’s two kids from his first marriage to Lucille Ball.

What caused Edith Mack Hirsch’s death, and how old was she?

She passed away from cancer on March 25, 1985, at the age of 67. The exact type of cancer was never made public.

Where is Edith Mack Hirsch buried?

Although her death is well documented, her exact burial location is not publicly known, which adds to the quiet and private life she lived.

Who was Edith Mack Hirsch’s first husband before Desi Arnaz?

Before marrying Desi Arnaz, she was married to Clement L. Hirsch, a wealthy businessman and horse racing executive.

What was Edith Mack Hirsch’s net worth when she died?

At the time of her passing, Edith Mack Hirsch’s net worth was estimated at around $12.5 million, mostly from her marriage to Desi Arnaz.