The Unconventional Marriage of Stephen and Jane Hawking
Stephen Hawking was one of the most brilliant minds of our time, but he was also a man who faced many challenges in his personal life. His first wife, Jane Hawking, was not only his partner, but also his caregiver, his mother, and his friend. Their marriage was unconventional, but also inspiring and touching.
Jane Hawking met Stephen Hawking when they were both students at Cambridge University in the early 1960s. They fell in love and got married in 1965, shortly after Stephen was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (ALS), a condition that gradually paralyzed him and reduced his life expectancy to a few years. Jane was determined to support him and make the most of their time together.
However, as Stephen’s condition worsened, Jane faced increasing difficulties and pressures. She had to balance her role as a wife, a mother of three children, a PhD student, and a fulltime caregiver. She also had to deal with Stephen’s fame, his atheism, and his stubbornness. She once said: “I had two tiny babies, I was running the home and looking after Stephen full time: dressing, bathing, and he refused to have any help with that other than from me.”
To cope with the situation, Jane came up with a creative solution. She offered free room-and-board at their home to students who would help care for Stephen. She hoped…
