What happened to the adopted children of Glenn Miller and Helen Burger Miller?

Answer 1

For the first few years after Glenn's disappearance she was actively involved in the corporations he had set up, primarily Glenn Miller Productions, and in working with his estate to re-launch the orchestra under the direction of lead saxophonist and vocalist Tex Beneke.

She was also faced with raising their two adopted children alone, so as relations with the Beneke-led band deteriorated during the late 1940s she moved away from direct involvement with Glenn's music. In 1953 and 1954 she assisted with aspects of the biopic The Glenn Miller Story, starring Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson. There is speculation that her disagreements with Tex Beneke over the band's musical direction were in part responsible for the fact that he was entirely written out of the script.

During the 1950s and early 60s Helen Miller was almost completely uninvolved with her late husband's music, except for giving occasional interviews to close friends such as biographer (and former Miller musician and confidant) George T. Simon. Notably, Simon refused to either deny or confirm the heartbreaking rumor that Helen had kept many of Glenn's personal effects in their bedroom and even prepared his bed every evening, just in case he should miraculously return ...

Helen Burger Miller died in 1966 at age 64. Her passing was mentioned in some newspapers but received little other notice.

She is buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, CA

Answer 2

The family maintained a strict sense of privacy so there are very few public photos available. If you're able to find a copy of George T. Simon's biography "Glenn Miller and his Orchestra", it has a few early pictures of Helen and the children, as well as one of Helen taken after the war.

Answer 3

No. She always believed that Glenn would eventually return. In fact, his biographer George T. Simon noted that she actually kept his belongings in the bedroom, prepared in case he walked in the door one day....

Answer 4

Glenn's adopted son, Steve, worked as a gun salesman at Chezshire and Perez Police Equipment Company in Monrovia, California. He passed away in 2012, I recall he had an amputated finger when I met him once while visiting that store many years ago.

Answer 5

When they were younger, son Steve Miller became a gunsmith and daughter Jonnie Dee Miller raised her own children. Neither had much involvement with their father's music at the time; among other reasons neither one had any memories nor did they have any musical talent. In recent years, they have reconnected with their heritage and have been more or less actively involved with the management of the current Glenn Miller Orchestras that perform in various parts of the world.

Steve passed away in early 2012.

On another note, at least 3 of Glenn's direct relations, brother Herb, nephew John, and niece Wynne, all have (or had) careers in music. In fact, John currently leads his own orchestra in England, frequently recreating his uncle's music and is joined by Jan Eberle, Ray Eberle's daughter.

Answer 6

Glen Miller's wife died in 1966 at the age of 64. Stephen became a gunsmith and Jonnie Dee raised her children. Years after their father's death, they became involved in the music interests that he began. Current information about them is not well publicized.

Answer 7

Mattie Lou Miller outlived Glenn by 19 years. She passed away in 1963.

Answer 8

No of course she believed that Mr. Miller will come back

Answer 9

she died in a coma