Last updated on: January 4, 2025

Frances Ford Brokaw, whose full name is Frances Ford Seymour, was born on April 4, 1908, in Brockville, Ontario, Canada. She was the daughter of Eugene Ford Seymour and Sophie Mildred Bower. Frances faced a lot of difficulties when she was growing up. She later stated that her childhood was hard and that she had experiences that had an impact on her mental health. Claims of abuse during her early years would determine her later struggles.

Frances came from a pretty privileged background. Her father was a businessman who made good money, but her early life was a series of terrible personal experiences. Despite this, she grew into a known personality in social circles.

Quick Facts About Frances Ford Brokaw

Marriage to George Tuttle Brokaw

Frances married George Tuttle Brokaw, a millionaire lawyer and sportsman, in 1931. She had a daughter named Frances de Villers Brokaw, who would later become a painter. Tragedy struck when George Brokaw died in 1936, leaving Frances a widow at the age of 28. This was just one of the many setbacks Frances experienced throughout her life.

Marriage to Henry Fonda

Henry Fonda was one of the big famous stars Frances married the second time around. They first worked together on a movie called Wings of the Morning in England and married on 16 September, 1936. They were blessed with two children: Jane Fonda who was born 21 December 1937, and Peter Fonda born February 23, 1940.

Even though her marriage brought Frances to the Hollywood limelight, it also brought with it personal problems. Frances was struggling to adapt to life in the limelight. Her marriage was also complicated, and this troubled relationship affected their personal lives.

Mental Health Struggles

Mental health issues greatly influenced Frances’s life. She suffered from bipolar disorder, which caused significant mood swings and emotional trauma. Throughout her life, she was admitted to and discharged from mental institutions multiple times. Her struggles were private during her lifetime, but her daughter Jane opened up about this upon speaking to others.

Jane Fonda said that her mother had faced a lot of personal tragedy, including multiple abortions, which added to her emotional pain. These difficulties made Frances’s life even tougher and influenced her relationship with her children.

Tragic Death

In 1950, Frances’s life came to a tragic end. After years of personal turmoil and a troubled marriage, she died by suicide on April 14, 1950. She was just 42 years old. This happened shortly after Henry Fonda requested a divorce from her.

At the time of her death, Frances was staying at a sanatorium in Beacon, New York, called Craig House. Her death was a devastating moment for her family, especially for Jane and Peter. It left a lasting emotional impact on them both.

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Legacy and Influence on Jane Fonda

The life of Frances Ford Brokaw was full of struggles, but she also left a great legacy behind. Her children, Jane and Peter Fonda, both became famous in their own right. In fact, Jane became a major Hollywood actress and a social activist.

Many times, Jane Fonda has described how her life has changed after her mother’s death. In interviews and writings, Jane has described that her mother’s mental health really affected her notion of love, empathy, and resilience. And even though what Frances did brought a lot of pain to their family, in many interviews Jane has said she was more lenient towards people when they faced any problem.

Resting Place for Frances

Frances Ford Brokaw is interred at Ogdensburg Cemetery, New York. Her grave serves as a silent reminder of the tragic story of her life. Even though she is no more, her impact is still alive through the works and advocacy of her children.

Source: celebs.infoseemedia.com