Mary Haise: Apollo 13's Untold Story And Family Life

Ever wondered what it felt like to be the wife of an astronaut during the most perilous space mission in history? Mary Haise lived that reality, and her story is a testament to the resilience, strength, and quiet heroism of the women behind the men who dared to reach for the stars.

The year was 1970. The nation, and indeed the world, held its breath as Apollo 13 hurtled through space. Onboard was Fred Haise, lunar module pilot, a man who, along with James Lovell and John Swigert, was meant to walk on the moon. Back on Earth, his wife, Mary Haise, ne Grant, found herself at the epicenter of a media storm. An explosion had crippled the spacecraft, and the fate of her husband, and his crewmates, hung precariously in the balance. It was a time of unimaginable stress, a period etched forever in the annals of space exploration and in the heart of a woman who had to maintain composure for her children and the world while her husband faced near-certain death.

Mary Haise's experience wasn't unique in the era of the Apollo missions. The "astrowives," as they were known, navigated a world of public scrutiny and private anxieties. NASA, in its own way, even dictated some of their public appearances, including clothing choices designed to project an image of calm and unity during a time of immense national pressure. These women were symbols, whether they wanted to be or not. They represented the home front, the families waiting and hoping for the safe return of their heroes. Mary, like the other astrowives, bore this burden with grace, even as she grappled with the terrifying uncertainty of Apollo 13's mission.

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The public saw glimpses of Mary Haise in carefully orchestrated press conferences. Photos from that era show her with her children, addressing the media after Apollo 13 safely splashed down in the South Pacific Ocean on April 17, 1970. There's an intentional red, white, and blue color scheme often present in those images, a visual reminder of the patriotism and national pride intertwined with the space program. In one photograph, she holds a framed photo commemorating President Richard Nixon's meeting with the Apollo 13 crew and their families in Honolulu, a symbol of the nation's collective relief and gratitude.

But beyond the public persona, Mary Haise was a wife, a mother, and an individual facing a deeply personal crisis. While Fred Haise was discussing Mary's pregnancy with Jim Lovell while floating in the lunar module. Fred wondered aloud, "Wonder if it's a boy or a girl?" Lovell responded, "You're gonna find out soon enough." Fred, gazing out at the moon, simply said, "Sure."

Her strength during that time is undeniable. She received explanations of the revised flight plan from astronaut Gerald P. Carr in the viewing room of Mission Control Center (MCC), building 30, at the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC). Those moments, captured in photographs, show a woman absorbing complex technical information, trying to understand the risks and the odds facing her husband. Jerry Carr, another astronaut, was there alongside her, monitoring the mission, offering support, and undoubtedly sharing in the collective anxiety.

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The safe return of Apollo 13 was a triumph of engineering, ingenuity, and human spirit. But it was also a testament to the strength of the families who supported the astronauts. As Fred Haise himself acknowledged, the human problems were as big as the technical ones. It's easy to imagine Mary's relief when she finally heard those words: "Houston, we've had a problem." It meant they were alive, and fighting to come home.

The marriage between Fred and Mary Haise ultimately ended in divorce on July 21, 1978, after nearly 24 years together. They married on June 4, 1954, and had four children: Mary Margaret Haise, Stephen William Haise, Frederick Thomas Haise, and Thomas Jesse Haise. Stephen William Haise, unfortunately, passed away in 2023.

Mary Margaret Haise, Freds daughter, was born on January 25, 1956, making her 67 years old as of 2023. She has maintained a very private life, and details about her career and current activities remain largely unknown.

Later, on January 9, 1979, Fred Haise married Frances Patt Price. She died on February 7, 2022. Fred Haise, now 90 years old, is widely known as the lunar module pilot for the famed Apollo 13 mission. He recalls that he had been 9 when his father, Fred Haise Sr., enlisted after Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor. That example of personal sacrifice and commitment resonated with him, and it made him think he should probably serve like his dad and two uncles had served.

Today, glimpses of Mary Haise can be found in snippets and memories scattered across the internet. Online searches reveal that several women named Mary Haise have lived across the United States, from Oregon to California, Colorado, and Louisiana. Public records suggest that their ages range from 62 to 90 years old.

Apollo 13 wasn't just a space mission; it was a human drama played out on the world stage. And at the heart of that drama was a woman named Mary Haise, whose strength and resilience remain an inspiration to us all. Her story reminds us that behind every great achievement, there are unsung heroes, those who provide the unwavering support and love that make the impossible possible.