Lillian Disney | |
|---|---|
 Disney in 1951 | |
| Born | Lillian Marie Bounds February 15, 1899 Spalding, Idaho, U.S. |
| Died | December 16, 1997 (aged 98) West Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Burial place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Ink and paint artist |
| Years active | 1924–1997 |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 2, including Diane Disney Miller |
| Relatives | See Disney family |
Lillian Marie Disney (née Bounds; February 15, 1899 – December 16, 1997) was an American ink artist at the Walt Disney Animation Studios and the wife of Walt Disney from 1925 until his death in 1966. Born in Spalding, Idaho, Disney graduated from high school in Lapwai before moving to Lewiston to attend college. She left Idaho in 1923 to move to southern California, where she met future husband Walt while working as a secretary for his company.
During a train ride in 1928, Walt revealed to his wife a new animated character, whom he called "Mortimer Mouse". Lillian suggested that he rename his character "Mickey Mouse", a name which has since become synonymous with the Disney brand.
Walt Disney died from lung cancer on December 15, 1966, after which Lillian remarried, to John L. Truyens (a Southern California real estate developer) 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.