9 Fun Facts About Marie Osmond
Happy birthday to pop icon Marie Osmond, who was born 65 years ago today, on Oct. 13, 1959! The American singer, actress, television personality, author and businesswoman has stood the test of time, working steadily since getting her start in Hollywood at the very young age of 4, when she appeared on The Andy Williams Show. Most recently, she has cohosted the daytime show The Talk from 2019 to 2020, and starred in Lifetime movies, as well as releasing her own classical album in 2021.
Here are some things you may not know about this TV and country music legend.
1She is the Eighth of Nine Children
Courtesy of Everett
When we think of Marie, many of us also think of her brother, Donny, because of their famous relationship as hosts of the variety show Donny & Marie. But in addition to Donny, there were a slew of other Osmond siblings in their home, and the talent seems to have been hereditary. “I never knew a day of my childhood life where music wasn’t being played, practiced, written, or sung,” Marie recalled in 2009. Several of those siblings — all brothers — performed as members of the Osmonds.
2She Wrote Her First Hit at Age 13
Everett Collection
By 1970, the Osmonds had reached commercial stardom with a series of successful pop singles. Marie, wanting to follow in their footsteps, chose to market herself as a country music artist, thinking that it was the only genre that allowed women to have both a family and career. She recorded a demo tape, singing Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors;” Don Ovens of MGM Records was so impressed by it that he signed her to a solo recording contract with the label’s Nashville division. Among the tracks recorded on her first album (and while she was still only 13!), was “Paper Roses,” her August 1973 debut single. The song was a huge hit, and she became the youngest female country artist whose debut single hit No. 1 in the U.S.
3Her Favorite Performance Was Playing “Paper Roses” at Madison Square Garden for the First Time
She was still just 13!
4She Fainted on Dancing With the Stars.
photo: Carol Kaelson / © ABC / Courtesy: Everett Collection
According to an interview with People, she doesn’t remember the 2007 embarrassing moment.
5Kurt Russell Was Her Childhood Crush
Everett Collection
“He used to come over and hang out with my brothers,” she said in an interview. “I’d just sit there and think, ‘He’s so handsome.’”
6Watch Out! She Knows Martial Arts!
© Osmond Productions / Courtesy: Everett Collection
Osmond was trained by Texas Ranger star and karate champ Chuck Norris himself!
7She is a Published Author
Osmond has penned three nonfiction books: Behind the Smile: My Journey Out of Post-Partum Depression (2001), Might as Well Laugh About It Now (2010) and Marie Osmond’s Heartfelt Giving: Sew and Quilt for Family and Friends (2010).
8She Was Offered the Role of Sandy in Grease
Monty Brinton / ©CBS / courtesy Everett Collection
Osmond turned down the role for moral reasons: she disagreed with the character’s decision to act badly in order to impress a boy. However, she did have a lifelong friendship with the woman who went on to portray Sandy in the film, Olivia Newton-John.
9She Has a Huge Family of Her Own
In addition to all her brothers, Marie has eight kids of her own: Stephen Jr., Rachael, Jessica, Michael, Brandon, Brianna, Matthew and Abigail.
Osmond and her first husband, Stephen Craig Sr., welcomed their only child together, son Stephen James Craig Jr., on April 20, 1983. Osmond and Craig divorced in 1985, and she married her second husband, Brian Blosil in 1986. The pair had seven children together before divorcing in 2007. At that point, Marie reconnected with Craig through their son and married again in 2011.
She’s also a grandma!
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