If you know Larry Hagman, you may also wonder about the woman who shared most of his life. Maj Axelsson was not a loud celebrity, but her story is full of love, family, and quiet strength. She was Swedish, creative, and private. This article explains her early life, her marriage, her children, and her later years, in simple English, so you can understand why she still matters to many fans.
Quick Bio of Maj Irene Axelsson
| Bio Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Maj Irene Axelsson |
| Known As | Maj Hagman |
| Primary Keyword | Maj Axelsson |
| Birth Date | May 13, 1928 |
| Birth Place | Eskilstuna, Sweden |
| Nationality | Swedish |
| Profession | Designer (often noted as dress designer) |
| Spouse | Larry Hagman |
| Wedding Date | December 18, 1954 |
| Wedding Place | London (Swedish Church) |
| Children | Heidi Hagman, Preston Hagman |
| Died | May 31, 2016 |
| Death Place | Los Angeles, California |
Early life in Sweden
Maj Axelsson was born on May 13, 1928, in Eskilstuna, Sweden. She grew up far from Hollywood, in a place known for industry and hard work. Public records and biographies do not share many details about her childhood, because she stayed private. Still, her Swedish roots stayed important to her identity.
Many sources say she later moved abroad and built an adult life based on design and independence. People often describe her as a dress designer. That creative skill later matched well with the acting world, where style, image, and confidence can matter a lot.
Moving to London and building a career
In her young adult years, Maj Axelsson lived in London. This part of her life is important, because it is where her path crossed with an American serviceman who would become a famous actor. London also gave her room to work, meet people from different cultures, and grow her career.
She is often called a designer, and that label fits the most repeated stories about her work. While her job was not always covered by the press, the idea is clear: she had her own talent and a life of her own, even before she became part of a Hollywood family.
How she met Larry Hagman
Larry Hagman served in the U.S. Air Force and spent time stationed in London. During that period, he met Maj Axelsson. Their relationship started away from red carpets and big premieres. It began in real life, in a city full of busy streets and international energy.
The meeting mattered because it happened before his biggest roles. Later, he became famous for Major Tony Nelson in I Dream of Jeannie and for J.R. Ewing in Dallas. But their bond started earlier, when both were still building their futures.
Wedding and marriage
Maj Axelsson and Larry Hagman married on December 18, 1954. Reports say the wedding took place at the Swedish Church in London. That detail connects her Swedish background with their new shared life. It also shows how her culture stayed present, even after marriage.
Their marriage lasted for decades, which is rare in the entertainment world. Friends and writers often describe her as a steady partner. While he worked in film and television, she supported the family and kept many parts of their life calm and grounded.
Life beside a rising star
When Larry Hagman became more famous, the couple faced a new kind of pressure. Fame can bring attention, rumors, and constant questions. Maj Axelsson did not chase the spotlight. She stayed mostly behind the scenes, which helped protect their home life.
At the same time, she was not “invisible.” She appeared at events, supported his work, and was known as a smart, stylish person. People who wrote about the couple often mention that she brought stability during the ups and downs of acting life.
Her connection to famous roles and shows
Many people first learn about this family through Dallas and I Dream of Jeannie. On screen, Hagman played strong characters, but at home he still needed routine and support. Public stories often say his spouse helped keep daily life stable while he worked long hours, traveled, and handled fame. This is one reason fans link her name so closely to his most famous work.
What sources do and do not confirm
Online profiles sometimes repeat the same facts, and sometimes they add guesses. The strongest confirmed points are the birth date, wedding date, children’s names, and the death date and place. Details like an exact medical cause of death, private family disputes, or full lists of grandchildren are not always stated in reliable public records. When information is missing, it is safer to say “not confirmed.”
Simple timeline of key events
- 1928: Born in Eskilstuna, Sweden
- 1954: Married Larry Hagman in London
- Later years: Raised Heidi Hagman and Preston Hagman
- 2008 (often reported): Alzheimer’s diagnosis period
- 2012: Hagman died
- 2016: She died in Los Angeles
Children and family life
Maj Axelsson and Larry Hagman had two children: Heidi Hagman and Preston Hagman. Heidi later became an actress, so the family connection to entertainment continued. Still, the couple tried to keep their children’s lives as normal as possible.
Family was central for her. Even with a famous husband, she was first a mother and a partner. Many biographies mention their long marriage as a key part of Hagman’s personal life, showing that his family was not just a side note, but a major part of his story.
Grandchildren and the next generation
People also search for information about grandchildren. Some public listings name several grandchildren, but not every source agrees on the exact list. What is clear is that Maj Axelsson did have grandchildren, and her family grew beyond just her two children.
Because the family kept many details private, there are limits to what can be confirmed in public. Still, it is fair to say she left a living legacy through her children and grandchildren, along with the memories shared by those who knew her personally.
Home, lifestyle, and the place called “Heaven”
Over the years, the couple lived in California, including places like Malibu and later Ojai. Their Ojai property became known by a special nickname: “Heaven.” Stories say she chose that name, which fits a peaceful image of the home they wanted.
They also showed interest in a greener lifestyle. In one TV appearance connected to eco-living, the home was discussed as having solar power and energy-saving choices. This side of their life shows they cared about how they lived, not only about fame.
Later years and Alzheimer’s
In later life, Maj Axelsson faced serious health challenges. Reports connect her to Alzheimer’s disease, with a diagnosis often placed around 2008. Alzheimer’s can slowly change memory, behavior, and daily ability, and it affects not only the person, but also the whole family.
Some accounts say her care needs became heavy and required full-time support. This kind of situation can also affect family decisions, including where to live and how to manage property. It is a reminder that even famous families face very human struggles.
Larry Hagman’s final years
Larry Hagman died in 2012, and that loss was huge for the family. For many fans, it also raised questions about his wife’s well-being afterward. Maj Axelsson remained mostly private, and that privacy continued in her widow years.
Even so, their story still feels connected in the public mind. Fans remember the long marriage, the two children, and how she stood beside him through different phases of his career, from early work to worldwide fame.
Death and what is known
Maj Axelsson died on May 31, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. Many readers ask for the exact cause of death, but reliable public notices do not always give that detail. Because of that, it is better to be careful and not claim a medical cause without clear proof.
It is possible that long-term illness played a role, but “possible” is not the same as confirmed. What we do know is her death date and place, and the fact that she lived a long life that included love, family, and big changes across many decades.
Why people still search for her today
Even years later, Maj Axelsson is searched online for many reasons: her wedding, her early life, her connection to Dallas, and her role as Heidi Hagman’s mother. People also want to know if she was still alive, and what happened in her final years.
Another common question is about Wikipedia pages. Sometimes readers get confused because other Swedish women have similar names. The best approach is to look for sources that clearly connect her to Larry Hagman, the wedding in London, and the correct birth and death dates.
Quick answers to common questions
Was Maj Axelsson still alive after 2012? Yes, she lived for several more years and died in 2016. Did she work? She is widely described as a designer, often linked to dress design. Did she appear on screen? Some entertainment databases list small credits, but her main public role was as a spouse and mother.
What about the wedding? The most repeated detail is the date, December 18, 1954, and the location at a Swedish church in London. This matches the picture of a Swedish woman keeping her cultural roots while starting a new life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Who was Maj Axelsson?
Maj Axelsson was a Swedish-born designer and the long-time wife of Larry Hagman. - When did Maj Axelsson marry Larry Hagman?
They married on December 18, 1954, in London. - Did Maj Axelsson have children?
Yes. She had two children: Heidi Hagman and Preston Hagman. - Was Maj Axelsson still alive after Larry Hagman died?
Yes. Larry Hagman died in 2012, and Maj Axelsson died in 2016. - What is known about Maj Axelsson’s Alzheimer’s?
Public sources report she had Alzheimer’s in later years, but many private details were not shared.
Final thoughts
Maj Axelsson did not build fame the way many celebrity spouses try to do today. Her life was more about long-term partnership, family, and privacy. She stood next to Larry Hagman during the rise of I Dream of Jeannie, the huge success of Dallas, and the challenges of later years.
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