The Untold Story of Noel J. Mickelson: John Amos’ First Wife

When we think of John Amos, we often think of his big roles on TV, like Good Times, Roots, and Coming to America. But behind this famous actor’s rise was a woman named Noel J. Mickelson. She wasn’t just his first wife — she was also an artist, horse rider, mother, and a quiet hero in her own way.

Noel’s life is not very well known, but it should be. She lived through a time when love across races was against the law in many places. Yet, she still chose love. She supported John’s dreams, raised a family, and followed her passions. This article will tell the full story of Noel J. Mickelson and show you why she was much more than just “John Amos’ ex-wife.” Let’s begin.

Noel J. Mickelson Quick Bio

Who Was Noel J. Mickelson?

Noel J. Mickelson was an American artist, craftswoman, and equestrian. She is best remembered as the first wife of actor John Amos, but her story goes way beyond that. She had a deep love for horses, a gift for art, and a strong spirit that helped her face tough times.

She lived a quiet life for the most part. But the decisions she made — especially during the 1960s — were very bold. She wasn’t someone who chased fame, but her story ended up becoming part of history. And today, many people are finally learning just how special she really was.

Noel J. Mickelson’s Early Life

Noel was born on March 18, 1944, in Estherville, Iowa, a small town in the Midwest. She came from a Jewish family with roots in Eastern Europe. Her daughter Shannon later shared that Noel had Ashkenazi Jewish and Danish heritage. Even though we don’t know much about her parents or siblings, we know she grew up with strong values and a creative soul.

Estherville was quiet, peaceful, and full of open land — the kind of place where a love for nature could really grow. And that’s exactly what happened for Noel. She developed a deep connection with the outdoors and a strong love for animals, especially horses. This love would stay with her for life and shape her future in big ways.

Noel J. Mickelson and John Amos’ Relationship

Noel met John Amos in college at Colorado State University. She was studying fine arts, and he was playing football while studying sociology. From the moment they met, there was a spark. Shannon, their daughter, later said it was “love at first sight.”

This was the 1960s. Back then, dating someone of another race was still seen as “wrong” in many parts of America. But Noel and John didn’t care about that. They followed their hearts, even when the world around them wasn’t ready. That brave choice would become a powerful part of their story.

In 1965, Noel and John got married. But here’s something wild: their marriage was illegal in 16 states at the time. Yes, just because they were an interracial couple. Laws in many parts of the U.S. still banned Black and white people from marrying. But Noel and John went ahead anyway. Their love was stronger than fear.

Just two years later, in 1967, the Supreme Court made interracial marriage legal across the country. So their marriage became legal everywhere. But Noel and John didn’t wait for laws to catch up — they chose each other first.

Their daughter Shannon once said, “I was born a year before my parents would be recognized as a legal couple in 16 states.” That fact alone shows how brave her parents were.

After getting married, Noel and John moved to New Jersey, where John was from. They worked as social workers at first, helping people, even though they were still building their own lives. John wanted to be a pro football player, and Noel fully supported that dream.

Later, when John started landing TV commercials and small acting roles, they moved to Los Angeles. Noel was by his side the whole time, cheering him on as his career grew. She understood his creative mind because she was an artist too.

John once said, “Being an artist herself, she understood my reluctance to accept the 9-to-5 world.” That kind of support is rare, and it helped him become the actor we all know today.

Noel J. Mickelson and John Amos Children

Noel and John had two children together. Their daughter Shannon Amos was born in 1966, and their son K.C. Amos (short for Kelly Christopher) was born in 1970. The family settled in Sylmar, a peaceful area in Los Angeles surrounded by nature.

Noel loved horses, so they raised their kids on a property with horses around them. She also brought her love of art and freedom into their daily lives. Shannon later said that her mom gave her the space to feel, create, and heal — a gift that shaped who she is today.

Both children grew up to be successful in their own ways: Shannon became a writer and producer, while K.C. became a Grammy-nominated director and editor. They both credit their mom for helping them stay grounded.

The End of the Marriage

Even though Noel J. Mickelson and John Amos shared many good years together, their marriage didn’t last forever. In 1975, after being married for 10 years, the couple separated.

Their daughter Shannon was just 9 years old at the time. She remembers that period as very hard. In interviews, she shared that her mom had a nervous breakdown after the breakup. It was a sad time for the whole family.

Some reports say Noel even filed a restraining order against John, though the details of their divorce were never made public. What’s clear is that things ended quietly, and both moved on in different directions.

Noel J. Mickelson’s Life After Divorce

After the divorce, Noel didn’t stay in the spotlight. Instead, she lived a peaceful and private life. She later remarried — this time to a man who worked as a special-effects engineer for Disney. They lived on a ranch in California, surrounded by horses and nature, just the way Noel loved it.

She continued creating art and riding horses. Her life was slower and simpler, but it was full of meaning. She focused on the things that brought her peace — her animals, her creativity, and her home.

Noel didn’t speak publicly about her past with John Amos. She preferred to keep her life private, and that’s something her children have always respected.

A Health Struggle That Changed Everything

In the mid-1990s, Noel faced something she never expected. After a routine hysterectomy, she suffered rare and serious medical complications. Sadly, the surgery led to her becoming blind and quadriplegic.

It was a huge change in her life. She lost her ability to walk, see, and do many of the things she loved. Her second husband cared for her with great love until he passed away about nine years later.

After that, her children stepped in to care for her. Shannon and K.C. did everything they could to make their mother feel safe, loved, and comfortable.

Even though Noel J. Mickelson lived away from the public eye, her children never forgot her strength and love. Both Shannon Amos and K.C. Amos often share posts and memories about their mom on social media.

In one post, Shannon wrote that her mom was “my rock” — the person who gave her space to cry, feel, and heal. She also said her mom used to call it “grief-letting” — and taught her how to let emotions flow like a river.

Their love for her is deep and real. Even today, almost a decade after her death, they keep her memory alive through photos, stories, and kind words.

Noel J. Mickelson Love for Horses and Art

One thing people admired about Noel was her deep love for horses. She wasn’t just someone who liked animals — she was a true equestrian. In the 1970s and 1980s, she was known in horse-riding circles as a skilled endurance rider.

She also had a quiet talent for art and crafts. Whether it was woodworking, drawing, or handmade pieces, Noel used her hands to create beauty. She didn’t seek fame, but those who knew her respected her talent and calm strength.

Noel J. Mickelson lived a life that was rich in passion, even if most people never saw it on a big screen.

Her Final Wish Was Beautiful

As Noel’s health declined, she spoke to her daughter Shannon about one regret — she never got to see the world. Travel was something she had always dreamed about, but life got in the way.

So Shannon made a promise. After Noel passed away in December 2016, Shannon began traveling the world with her mother’s ashes, scattering them in different places. This became her way of helping her mom’s spirit experience the world.

It was a beautiful and emotional journey. One full of love, respect, and healing.

Final Thoughts

Today, Noel J. Mickelson is remembered as a strong, gentle, and creative woman. She made bold choices during a time when the world wasn’t always kind. She married across racial lines when it was still banned in many places. She raised two amazing children. And she lived her truth, quietly and fully.

Yes, she was once the wife of John Amos, but her story is so much bigger than that. She was a trailblazer, a mother, an artist, and a fighter — all in her own way.

In 2025, more people are learning about Noel’s life. And that’s a good thing. Because her story shows that strength doesn’t always shout — sometimes, it just rides a horse, paints a picture, or hugs a child tight.

(FAQs)

Who was John Amos’ first wife?

John Amos’ first wife was Noel J. Mickelson, a white Jewish artist and horse rider. They married in 1965 when interracial marriage was still banned in 16 U.S. states.

Is Noel J. Mickelson still alive? What happened to her?

No, Noel J. Mickelson died in December 2016. She became blind and quadriplegic after a surgery went wrong in the 1990s.

Was there an obituary for Noel J. Mickelson?

There was no big or public obituary for Noel J. Mickelson. But her daughter Shannon gave her a special goodbye by taking her ashes around the world, just like Noel had wished.

What was Noel J. Mickelson’s nationality and background?

She was American, born in Iowa. Her ethnic background was Ashkenazi Jewish and Danish, which made her interracial marriage to Amos even more historic.

How many children did Noel J. Mickelson have?

She had two children with John Amos — Shannon Amos, a media producer, and K.C. Amos, a Grammy-nominated director.