Maggie Griffin is the mother of comedian and actress Kathy Griffin. Maggie’s daughter Kathy Griffin has starred in television comedy specials and released comedy albums. Her six comedy albums have all received Grammy Award nominations. She has appeared as a guest star on several television shows. She is also an LGBTQ activist who supports same-sex marriage and the repeal of “Don’t ask, don’t tell”.
Maggie Griffin: Bio Summary
| Name | Maggie Griffin |
| Date of birth | 10 June 1920 |
| Place of birth | Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA |
| Famous as | mother of Kathy Griffin |
| Nationality | American |
| Died | 17 March 2020 (aged 99) |
| Parents | Michael Corbally and Agnes Green |
| Spouse | John Patrick Griffin |
| Children | Kathy Griffin, Kenny Griffin, Joyce Griffin, Gary Griffin, and John Griffin |
Who Was Kathy Griffin’s Mother, Maggie Griffin?
Maggie Griffin was born Margaret Mary Corbally on 10 June 1920, in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA to Michael Corbally and Agnes Green. Her parents were Irish immigrants who ran a grocery store. She was the youngest of her parent’s 16 children. She studied at a Catholic school in Chicago. She was the wife of John Patrick Griffin (1916 – 2007), whom she got married to on March 20, 1942.
Maggie and her husband John Patrick Griffin had five children together. Their children are Kenneth Kenny Griffin (died in the 2000s), Joyce Griffin (September 27, 1946 – September 14, 2017, died from lymphoma), Gary Griffin (Gary Michael Griffin; 1950/1951 – January 22, 2014, died from cancer), John Griffin, and Kathy Griffin (Kathleen Mary Griffin; b. November 4, 1960).
Maggie Griffin worked as a hospital administrator. She was a very supportive wife and mother. She was called “Margie” her whole life until she changed her nickname to “Maggie” at age 80. She and her husband John Patrick Griffin remained married until John died of heart failure on February 17, 2007, at age 91.
Maggie Griffin Was An Author And Reality TV star
Maggie Griffin was an author who released her memoir, Tip It!: The World According to Maggie Griffin. “You know how a box of wine is never empty just because the spigot seems to have run dry (There’s always a little more if you just tip it!),” she wrote about what readers could expect from her book. “This book is like that. There’s so much in it — never-before-published Griffin family photos!”
“a love story (me and my dear departed husband Johnny), a whole guide to good living (including how to survive on what’s in your purse), and a lot of funny business in this book from Kathleen (she made comments in this book; readers, I was not able to stop her!).” As a reality television star, she appeared as herself on Kathy’s So-Called Reality, E! True Hollywood Story, A-List Awards, and the 2009 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
ALSO, READ: John Patrick Griffin: How Did Kathy Griffin’s Father Die?
Maggie Griffin has appeared on Larry King Live, The 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards, Kathy Griffin: 50 & Not Pregnant, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Same Name, Kathy Griffin: Pants Off, Kathy, and Kathy Griffin: A Hell of a Story. She was featured in her daughter Kathy Griffin’s reality show, “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List”, appearing as herself for six seasons. She revealed that: “People recognize me on the street a lot now and come over, nicely, and say “Maggie, you remind me of my own mother.”
“And they say “Maggie, I love your show”–referring to “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List” as my show. Sometimes I correct them, I say, “Oh, it’s not my show. But sometimes . . . I don’t correct them. It’s kind of fun being a star, isn’t it.”
What Happened To Kathy Griffin’s Mother?
Maggie Griffin died on 17 March 2020, at age 99, in California, USA. Her daughter Kathy Griffin shared that her mother passed away on St. Patrick’s Day. “My Mom, the one and only, Maggie Griffin, passed away today,” Kathy revealed in a post on her social media accounts. “I am gutted. My best friend. I am shaking. I won’t ever be prepared. I’m so grateful you guys got to be part of her life. You knew her. You loved her. She knew it. Oh, and OF COURSE she went on St. Patrick’s Day.”
Kathy Griffin had previously made it known that Maggie Griffin was suffering from dementia.“As heartbreaking as this is, I feel the need to share some important info about my mom Maggie,” Kathy told her followers on X. “I’ve always been honest with you all, but this one is really hard. The pic below, taken in September, was the last time I was able to have a proper/coherent conversation with her.”
In another post, Kathy shared: “Since that photo was taken, she has rapidly fallen into the throes of dementia. This is never easy for any child, I know this is a reality that millions of people deal with every year. But when it comes to my mom this is particularly hard because her sharp mind was everything.”
My Mom, the one and only, Maggie Griffin, passed away today. I am gutted. My best friend. I’m shaking. I won’t ever be prepared. I’m so grateful you guys got to be part of her life. You knew her. You loved her. She knew it. Oh, and OF COURSE she went on St Patrick’s Day. 💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/l9IZHuIWLb
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) March 18, 2020
ALSO, READ: Matt Moline: What Happened To Kathy Griffin’s Ex-husband?
“My mom is 98 and up until this past couple years she was so sharp she always kept me on my toes. Her mind was so naturally quick, funny, and smart. No one could get anything past her. Watching that slip away so fast has been devastating,” she wrote. Kathy Griffin also assured her fans and followers that her mother wasn’t “in pain and she is getting the best 24-hour care. In terms of how she is now, at this point she only knows my name and I love you. I know many of you know what that reality is like…I’m still grappling with it.”
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