16 Facts About Lillian Disney

Lillian Marie Disney was an American ink artist at the Disney Studios and the wife of Walt Disney from 1925 until his death in 1966.

Lillian Disney left Idaho in 1923 to move to southern California, where she would meet future husband Walt while working as a secretary at Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Walt Disney died from lung cancer on December 15,1966, after which Lillian remarried John L Truyens from 1969 until his death in 1981.

On December 15,1997, Lillian Disney suffered a stroke and died the following morning in Los Angeles at age 98.

Lillian Disney was the youngest of ten children, and the family struggled financially; her father died when she was seventeen.

Lillian Bounds and Walt Disney married on July 13,1925, in Idaho at her brother's home.

Lillian Disney wore a dress that she had made herself.

Lillian Disney is credited with having named her husband's most famous character, Mickey Mouse, during a train trip from New York to California in 1928.

Lillian Disney replied that the name sounded "too depressing" and she was very proud to have suggested the name "Mickey Mouse" instead of Mortimer.

At the Carolwood Pacific Railroad, Walt Lillian Disney named his 1:8-scale live steam locomotive the "Lilly Belle" in his wife's honor.

Walt Disney died of lung cancer on December 15,1966, aged 65, and Lillian was married to John L Truyens from May 1969 until his death on February 24,1981, aged 73.

Lillian Disney helped fund the founding of The California Institute of the Arts.

Lillian Disney was a wonderful husband to me, and wonderful and joyful father and grandfather.

Lillian Disney suffered a stroke on December 15,1997, which was exactly 31 years after the death of her first husband, Walt.

Lillian Disney died the following morning at her home in West Los Angeles at the age of 98.

Lillian Disney was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.