Neil Armstrong’s Wife: Janet Shearon, Carol Knight, and His Family Timeline Explained
If you’re searching Neil Armstrong wife, you’re usually trying to pin down the basics: who he married, when those marriages happened, and how his family life fit around the most famous moment in space history. The clear, well-documented answer is that Armstrong was married twice—first to Janet Shearon, then to Carol Knight—with a long first marriage that covered the Apollo era and a second marriage that lasted until his death.
The quick, clear answer
Neil Armstrong had two wives. He married Janet Shearon in 1956 and divorced in 1994. Later in 1994, he married Carol Knight (often referenced as Carol Held Knight), and she remained his wife until he died in 2012.
Who was Neil Armstrong?
Neil Armstrong was an American astronaut and aeronautical engineer who became the first person to walk on the Moon as commander of Apollo 11 in 1969. Before NASA, he flew as a test pilot; after his moon mission, he deliberately avoided celebrity life, keeping a low profile while taking on select professional and public-service roles. He died on August 25, 2012.
That preference for privacy matters when you write about his relationships. Armstrong did not treat his personal life as public entertainment, so the most reliable story is the one built around credible, consistent biographical timelines rather than speculation.
Neil Armstrong’s first wife: Janet Shearon
Armstrong’s first wife was Janet Shearon Armstrong. They married in January 1956, and their marriage ran through the most intense decades of his career, from military and test flying into NASA’s most demanding years.
It’s hard to overstate what that meant for a family. The Apollo years weren’t just busy; they were high-stakes, public, and emotionally punishing in a way most people never experience. While Armstrong became a symbol of exploration, Janet was living the quieter reality behind that symbol—home life shaped by long absences and the constant risk that came with experimental flight and early space missions.
Their children and a loss that shaped the family
Neil and Janet had three children: Eric “Rick”, Karen, and Mark.
The family also experienced a tragedy frequently noted in biographies: their daughter Karen died in 1962 after illness related to an inoperable brain tumor. It’s a heartbreaking detail, but it also adds real context to the guarded, tightly controlled way Armstrong often moved through public life afterward.
When you read about Armstrong’s calm, almost minimalist public persona, it can be tempting to treat it like a personality quirk. But this period of his life is often described as part of the emotional landscape behind a man who rarely performed feelings for an audience.
What it was like to be Janet Shearon during the Apollo era
The moon landing is often told like a clean story: mission, success, history made. The family side is messier. Spouses lived in the shadow of intense training schedules and an ever-present awareness of risk, and then—if the mission succeeded—came the second wave: fame.
Armstrong was famously uncomfortable with being treated like a celebrity. That discomfort shaped how the public saw Janet too. She wasn’t constantly interviewed. She wasn’t turned into a brand. She largely existed outside the spotlight, even though history had parked itself in her living room.
If you’ve ever wondered why there aren’t endless quotes or intimate public details from Janet, the simplest explanation is that this was a family that kept its walls up. The public record gives you key dates and a few documented moments, but not a steady stream of personal commentary.
When did Neil and Janet Armstrong divorce?
Neil and Janet separated in 1992, and their marriage ended in 1994, commonly summarized as about 38 years together (1956–1994).
You’ll see plenty of online posts trying to attach a dramatic “reason” to the divorce. Most of those posts go beyond what’s actually confirmed. If you want an article that stays accurate, the clean story is enough: separation in 1992, divorce by 1994, and a remarriage later that year.
Neil Armstrong’s second wife: Carol Knight
Armstrong’s second wife was Carol Knight, and he married her in 1994. She remained his wife until his death in 2012.
You may also see her referred to as Carol Held Knight. That longer form appears in various biographies and summaries, while many articles shorten it to “Carol Knight.” Either way, it refers to the same person: Armstrong’s spouse during the final chapter of his life.
Compared to the Apollo years, Armstrong’s later decades were notably quieter. He made occasional appearances for major anniversaries or significant space-related events, but he avoided constant public access. In that context, Carol’s role is most often described in simple, respectful terms: she was his wife, and she later became associated with the stewardship of his legacy.
Was Neil Armstrong married when he died?
Yes. Neil Armstrong was married to Carol Knight when he died on August 25, 2012.
Frequently asked questions
What was Neil Armstrong’s first wife’s name?
His first wife was Janet Shearon Armstrong.
How long was Neil Armstrong married to Janet Shearon?
They married in 1956 and divorced in 1994, commonly described as a 38-year marriage.
Who was Neil Armstrong’s wife when he died?
He was married to Carol Knight (often referenced as Carol Held Knight).
How many children did Neil Armstrong have?
He had three children with Janet: Eric “Rick,” Karen, and Mark.
The takeaway
The most accurate answer to “Neil Armstrong wife” is also the simplest: Armstrong was married to Janet Shearon from 1956 to 1994, then married Carol Knight in 1994 and remained with her until his death in 2012. Once you have that timeline, everything else falls into place. Janet was the spouse through the Apollo era and its pressures, while Carol was the partner in his quieter later decades and the person most associated with his legacy afterward.
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