Michelle Marvin of "Palimony" fame, Dies at 76

Michelle Triola Marvin, former partner of movie star Lee Marvin ("Dirty Dozen") died recently from lung cancer.  She died at the home of Dick Van Dyke, her partner of 30 years.  Marvin is most widely known from her public split with the former actor, who had promised to support her for life in exchange for her contributions as a "cook, companion, and confidant."  Upon their dissolution, Ms. Marvin challenged the traditional notion of restricting support to married couples only.  Finding that the Marvins' cohabitation contract was not based on "meretricious services," the court held that nonmarital agreements could be enforced. After she won her case, Marvin v. Marvin, the landscape of family law opened to recognize the legal needs of unmarried couples.

LA TImes article here.

Picture: Michelle Marvin with attorney Marvin Mitchelson after winning her case.

Comments

[Eric Fink]

Wow, I'd forgotten that her attorney was named Marvin. So confusing! And I had no idea she'd taken up with Dick Van Dyke. That must have been quite a change from Lee Marvin.