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The Tragic And Triumphant Lives Of Bing Crosby's 7 Children: Where Are They Now In 2025?

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The legacy of Bing Crosby, the iconic crooner whose voice defined the Golden Age of Hollywood and the sound of Christmas, is one of stark contrasts. While the public saw a warm, easygoing star, his private life, particularly his relationship with his seven children, was marked by deep complexity and tragedy. As of December 2025, the family's story remains a compelling narrative of immense fame, personal struggles, and the enduring effort to manage the legacy of one of America's most famous fathers.

The family structure is split between two distinct generations: four sons from his first marriage to actress and singer Dixie Lee, and three children from his second marriage to actress Kathryn Crosby, who recently passed away in September 2024. This article delves into the full biography of all seven children, examining the controversies that rocked the family and revealing the current lives and efforts of the three surviving siblings.

Bing Crosby's Seven Children: A Complete Family Biography

Bing Crosby married two times, resulting in a family of seven children whose lives were forever shaped by their father’s colossal fame and their mothers’ own careers. The four sons from his first marriage, often referred to as "The Crosby Boys," faced particular public scrutiny.

Children with First Wife, Dixie Lee (Married 1930–1952)

  • Gary Crosby (The Eldest Son)
    • Full Name: Gary Evan Crosby
    • Born: August 15, 1933, in Los Angeles, California
    • Died: August 17, 1995 (Age 62) in Burbank, California (Lung Cancer)
    • Career: Singer and actor, known for his controversial 1983 memoir, Going My Own Way.
  • Dennis Crosby (Twin)
    • Full Name: Dennis Michael Crosby
    • Born: July 13, 1934, in Los Angeles, California
    • Died: May 4, 1991 (Age 56) in Novato, California (Suicide by Gunshot)
    • Career: Singer and occasional actor, performed with his brothers as part of The Crosby Boys.
  • Phillip Crosby (Twin)
    • Full Name: Phillip Lang Crosby
    • Born: July 13, 1934, in Los Angeles, California
    • Died: January 13, 2004 (Age 69) in Woodland Hills, California (Heart Attack)
    • Career: Singer and actor, notably disputed his brother Gary's claims of abuse.
  • Lindsay Crosby (The Youngest of the First Four)
    • Full Name: Lindsay Harry Crosby
    • Born: January 5, 1938, in Los Angeles, California
    • Died: December 11, 1989 (Age 51) in Las Virgenes, California (Suicide by Self-Inflicted Rifle Shot)
    • Career: Actor and singer, whose life was marked by personal struggles, including alcoholism and legal issues.

Children with Second Wife, Kathryn Crosby (Married 1957–1977)

  • Harry Crosby (The Investment Banker)
    • Full Name: Harry Lillis Crosby III
    • Born: August 8, 1958, in Los Angeles, California
    • Current Status: Alive and active (Age 67 as of 2025)
    • Career: Investment banker, former actor, and key figure in managing the Crosby estate.
  • Mary Crosby (The Actress)
    • Full Name: Mary Frances Crosby
    • Born: September 14, 1959, in Los Angeles, California
    • Current Status: Alive and active (Age 66 as of 2025)
    • Career: Actress, most famous for portraying Kristin Shepard in the hit television series Dallas.
  • Nathaniel Crosby (The Champion Golfer)
    • Full Name: Nathaniel Patrick Crosby
    • Born: October 29, 1961, in Los Angeles, California
    • Current Status: Alive and active (Age 64 as of 2025)
    • Career: Former professional golfer, business executive, and author, known for winning the 1981 U.S. Amateur.

The Darker Side of the Crooner's Home Life: Controversy and Tragedy

The public perception of Bing Crosby as the ultimate affable, pipe-smoking family man was shattered in 1983 with the publication of his eldest son Gary’s memoir, Going My Own Way. The book detailed a childhood of severe emotional and physical abuse, describing Bing as a cold, distant, and often brutal disciplinarian who used corporal punishment, including beatings with a cane, to enforce his strict rules.

This explosive account created a deep and lasting rift within the family and the public’s view of the star. While Gary’s twin brother, Phillip Crosby, publicly disputed the extent of the abuse claims, he did acknowledge that Bing was a stern and emotionally unavailable father. The debate over Bing's true character—a tyrant or simply a product of a different, more disciplinary era—continues to this day.

The most tragic aspect of the first family's story is the fate of the four sons. Two of the four, Dennis Crosby and Lindsay Crosby, died by suicide, both from self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Their struggles with alcoholism, depression, and the immense pressure of living in their father's shadow were well-documented, leading many to link their tragic ends to the difficult childhood described in Gary's book. The immense shadow of their father, coupled with the family's internal strife, proved too heavy a burden for some to bear.

The Surviving Children in 2025: Upholding a Complex Legacy

The three children from Bing’s second marriage to Kathryn Crosby—Harry, Mary, and Nathaniel—have taken on the responsibility of managing their father's complicated legacy. Unlike their older half-brothers, they were raised in a different era and have consistently offered a more nuanced, and often protective, view of their father.

Mary Crosby: The Hollywood Connection

Mary Crosby remains the most visible of the surviving siblings in Hollywood. She is best known for her role as Kristin Shepard, the woman who shot J.R. Ewing in the iconic "Who shot J.R.?" storyline on the television series Dallas. In recent years, Mary has been active in honoring her father’s roots and career. In a notable gesture, she visited Spokane, Washington, the city where her father spent his early life, for an ongoing celebration of his career, marking her first visit there since the 1960s.

Mary has often spoken about the pressures of being a 'legacy' child, but she focuses on the positive aspects of her father's character, particularly his commitment to his faith and his unparalleled career achievements. Her mother, Kathryn Crosby, who passed away in September 2024, played a crucial role in preserving Bing's public image and legacy, a task Mary continues to uphold.

Nathaniel Crosby: The Golfing Champion and Defender

Nathaniel Crosby, the youngest of the seven, has carved out a successful career that mirrors his father’s passion for golf. Bing Crosby was an avid golfer, and Nathaniel followed in his footsteps, becoming a champion amateur golfer, winning the prestigious U.S. Amateur in 1981. He went on to have a career as a professional golfer and later transitioned into a business executive and public speaker.

Nathaniel has been the most vocal defender of his father against the "monster" label, acknowledging Bing's emotional distance—noting that his father rarely said "I love you"—but insisting he was not the cruel figure described by Gary. Nathaniel's efforts largely focus on his father's love for golf, often referring to Bing as "a golfer that sang for a living," and ensuring the ongoing success of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, a tournament founded by his father.

Harry Crosby: The Business of Legacy

Harry Lillis Crosby III, Bing’s namesake, has had a career primarily in the financial world as a successful investment banker, though he also had an early career as an actor. Harry is deeply involved in the management of the Crosby estate and the preservation of his father’s immense musical catalog.

In recent news, Harry has been instrumental in promoting Bing’s continuing relevance. He recently discussed the sale of a stake in the Crosby estate to ensure the ongoing promotion of his father's work for new generations. Furthermore, he was involved in the launch of an Adidas x Malbon Golfwear line, a fresh venture inspired by his father's classic, dapper style on the golf course. Harry often speaks about the pride the family takes in Bing’s impact on American music, particularly the enduring popularity of holiday classics like "White Christmas" and the iconic duet of "The Little Drummer Boy" with David Bowie.

bing crosby children
bing crosby children

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