Paul Mansfield was more than a name attached to a Hollywood legend. While he is widely known as the first husband of Jayne Mansfield, his own life story tells of a man who lived quietly, served his country, raised a family, and navigated the difficult balance between personal dreams and the blinding fame of his former wife. This detailed biography explores who Paul Mansfield was, his early life, family, relationships, and the truth behind what happened to Paul Mansfield — including his later years, cause of death, and legacy.
Biography Table – Profile Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Paul James Mansfield |
| Date of Birth | November 28, 1929 |
| Place of Birth | Galveston, Texas, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Public relations, journalism, U.S. Army Reserve |
| Education | Sunset High School, Dallas (Graduated 1947) |
| Father | Norman Mansfield |
| Mother | Virginia Ruth (née Pigue) Mansfield |
| Marital Status | Married twice |
| First Wife | Jayne Mansfield (Hollywood actress, 1950–1958) |
| Second Wife | Mary Sue Greer (later life partner) |
| Children | Jayne Marie Mansfield, Robert Greer Mansfield, Paul James Mansfield Jr. |
| Religion | Christian |
| Military Service | U.S. Army Reserve (Korean War era) |
| Date of Death | June 8, 2013 |
| Place of Death | San Angelo, Texas, USA |
| Age at Death | 83 years |
| Known For | First husband of Jayne Mansfield |
| Net Worth (Estimated) | Around $200,000–$500,000 (unverified estimate) |
Early Life and Background
Paul James Mansfield was born on November 28, 1929, in the coastal city of Galveston, Texas. He was the son of Norman and Virginia Ruth Pigue Mansfield. His family later relocated to Dallas in 1932, where Paul grew up during the Great Depression. The Mansfield family was middle-class — hardworking, practical, and deeply rooted in traditional values. His upbringing emphasized discipline, responsibility, and education, which shaped the man he became.
As a young boy, Paul displayed strong academic performance and a curious mind. He graduated from Sunset High School in 1947. Unlike the glamorous world that would later surround his first wife, Paul’s early life was defined by stability, structure, and community. Friends and relatives remembered him as grounded and modest — someone who preferred hard work over attention.
Paul Mansfield’s Parents
Father – Norman Mansfield
Norman Mansfield worked in the Texas coastal area before the family relocated to Dallas. He was known as a disciplined, firm father who valued honesty and education. Norman’s work ethic had a deep influence on Paul, who carried the same integrity throughout his life. Though not much public record survives about Norman, it’s clear he instilled in his son a sense of duty that would later reflect in Paul’s military service.
Mother – Virginia Ruth Pigue Mansfield
Virginia Ruth Pigue Mansfield, Paul’s mother, was the emotional backbone of the family. Described as compassionate and kind, she nurtured Paul’s curiosity and ambition. She played an essential role in his education and moral upbringing. Her gentle nature and patience were key to Paul’s balanced personality — a quality that stood in stark contrast to the flamboyant Hollywood world he later entered through his marriage to Jayne.
Education and Early Career
Paul Mansfield’s education began in Dallas public schools. After graduating from Sunset High School, he pursued further training while working part-time to support himself. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Paul served in the U.S. Army Reserve during the Korean War era. Military life reinforced his discipline and sense of responsibility, traits that would define his adult life.
After his service, Paul ventured into journalism and public relations. He worked for small newspapers and communication agencies in Texas and later California. His career in media was modest but steady — a reflection of his practical character. Paul was not drawn to fame or glamour; he sought stability and purpose.
Marriage to Jayne Mansfield – The Beginning of Fame
Paul Mansfield’s life changed forever when he met Vera Jayne Palmer, a vibrant 17-year-old aspiring actress. They married on May 6, 1950, in Fort Worth, Texas. Jayne was already three months pregnant with their daughter, Jayne Marie. Their marriage began like any young couple’s — filled with dreams, ambition, and love — but fame would soon complicate everything.
Paul was a devoted husband who initially supported Jayne’s dreams of becoming an actress. He worked in Los Angeles while she pursued acting lessons and modeling gigs. However, as Jayne’s career took off, the differences between them widened. Paul preferred a simple, private life, while Jayne was drawn to the spotlight, determined to be a star.
Life with Jayne Mansfield – Fame and Conflict
The early 1950s were turbulent for Paul and Jayne. Jayne’s relentless ambition clashed with Paul’s traditional values. He reportedly hoped their daughter’s birth would temper Jayne’s Hollywood aspirations, but it only fueled them. Paul Mansfield wanted a quiet home life, while Jayne wanted cameras, contracts, and celebrity.
Paul’s biggest struggle was balancing his role as a husband and father with Jayne’s growing fame. He supported her financially and emotionally in the beginning but grew uncomfortable with the increasing exposure, especially the revealing photoshoots and publicity stunts that became Jayne’s trademarks. Their disagreements grew severe, leading to emotional distance and eventual separation.
Divorce and Custody Battle
By 1955, their marriage had deteriorated beyond repair. Jayne filed for separation, citing differences and conflicts over her acting career. Paul Mansfield later sought custody of their daughter, Jayne Marie Mansfield, believing Hollywood was not the right environment for a child. The custody battle was long and emotionally draining. Their divorce was finalized on January 8, 1958.
Jayne kept the surname “Mansfield” professionally — a decision that kept Paul’s name attached to Hollywood history forever. While Jayne’s star continued to rise, Paul retreated into a quiet, private life, avoiding media attention entirely.
Paul Mansfield’s Later Life and Second Marriage
After his divorce, Paul Mansfield moved back to Texas. He later married Mary Sue Greer, often affectionately referred to as “Sue.” Together, they built a family grounded in normalcy and stability — the very opposite of his life with Jayne. They had children together: Robert Greer Mansfield and Paul James Mansfield Jr.
Paul settled into a peaceful domestic life. He worked in communications and local public relations, focusing on family and service rather than fame. He was described by family and friends as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather — a man who valued simplicity and kindness over celebrity.
Children and Family Legacy
Paul had three known children. His eldest, Jayne Marie Mansfield, was born in 1950 to Jayne Mansfield. She went on to become a model and actress, inheriting some of her mother’s fame. His two younger sons, from his marriage to Mary Sue, followed more private lives.
Family meant everything to Paul. In his later years, he spent much of his time surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was a loving patriarch, known for his quiet wisdom and generosity.
What Happened to Paul Mansfield?
After decades of living away from Hollywood, Paul spent his final years in San Angelo, Texas. He lived a modest life, maintaining close ties with his family and staying out of the media. He occasionally appeared in local obituaries and family announcements but never sought public attention. His story is one of peace after chaos — a man who once lived in the orbit of Hollywood but chose tranquility over fame.
Paul Mansfield Cause of Death
Paul Mansfield died on June 8, 2013, at the age of 83. While his cause of death was not publicly disclosed, reports suggest that it was due to natural causes related to age. His passing was marked quietly, surrounded by family, without media spectacle. He left behind a legacy of dignity and resilience, remembered by those who knew him as a man of integrity and strength.
Paul Mansfield Obituary
His obituary described him as a devoted husband, a caring father, and a proud veteran. It noted his service in the U.S. Army Reserve, his lifelong dedication to family, and his quiet nature. Unlike the tabloid chaos that surrounded Jayne, Paul’s final years reflected stability and peace. His obituary confirmed that he was survived by his wife Mary Sue, his children, grandchildren, and extended family — all of whom remembered him as a man who lived by his principles.
Dr. Paul Mansfield and MD Anderson – Clarifying the Confusion
Many people mistakenly associate Paul Mansfield with Dr. Paul F. Mansfield, a distinguished surgical oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. It is important to note that these are two completely different individuals.
- Paul James Mansfield (1929–2013) was Jayne Mansfield’s husband.
- Dr. Paul F. Mansfield is a living medical professional specializing in cancer surgery.
This confusion often arises due to the shared name, but their careers and lifetimes are entirely separate.
Net Worth of Paul Mansfield
There are no verified records of Paul Mansfield’s net worth, but estimates suggest it was between $200,000 and $500,000 at the time of his death — mostly from his lifelong work in journalism, communications, and savings. He did not enjoy the wealth or fame of Hollywood, but he lived comfortably and securely with his family in Texas.
Legacy and Memory
Paul Mansfield’s name will always be linked to Jayne Mansfield, one of Hollywood’s most iconic blonde bombshells. However, beyond the tabloids, he was a man who valued quiet dignity. His life illustrates the contrast between fame and normalcy — between those who chase the spotlight and those who find peace in its absence.
His greatest legacy lies in his children and grandchildren. Through them, his values of responsibility, humility, and love endure. While Jayne’s legacy lives in Hollywood’s history, Paul’s legacy lives in family and memory — away from the glare of cameras.
Conclusion
Paul Mansfield’s story is not one of fame, but of humanity. He was the first husband of Jayne Mansfield, the father of her first child, and a man who stood at the crossroads of Hollywood glamour and Texas modesty. From his early days in Galveston to his final years in San Angelo, his life was guided by integrity, faith, and love for his family.
Though much of the world remembers him through the lens of Jayne Mansfield’s celebrity, Paul’s life deserves recognition on its own — as a portrait of quiet strength and grace in a world obsessed with fame.
FAQs About Paul Mansfield
Q1: Who was Paul Mansfield?
Paul Mansfield was the first husband of Hollywood actress Jayne Mansfield, born in 1929 in Texas, and father of Jayne Marie Mansfield.
Q2: What happened to Paul Mansfield?
He lived a quiet life in Texas after divorcing Jayne Mansfield and passed away in 2013 at the age of 83.
Q3: What was the cause of death of Paul Mansfield?
His cause of death was not publicly revealed but is believed to be natural causes related to age.
Q4: Did Paul Mansfield die?
Yes, Paul Mansfield died on June 8, 2013, in San Angelo, Texas.
Q5: Who was Paul Mansfield married to?
He was married first to Jayne Mansfield (1950–1958) and later to Mary Sue Greer, with whom he remained until his death.
Q6: Was Paul Mansfield a doctor at MD Anderson?
No. The Dr. Paul F. Mansfield at MD Anderson is a different individual, not related to Jayne Mansfield’s ex-husband.
Q7: Did Paul Mansfield have children?
Yes, he had three children — Jayne Marie Mansfield with Jayne, and two sons, Robert and Paul Jr., with his second wife Mary Sue.
Q8: What is Paul Mansfield’s net worth?
Though not publicly verified, his estimated net worth ranged from $200,000 to $500,000 at the time of his death.
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