Behind many great figures in history, there are often stories of personal tragedy and heartbreak. The life of Helen Ruth, the first wife of baseball legend Babe Ruth, is one such story. It is a tale of young love, a turbulent marriage, and a mysterious death that left more questions than answers.
Who Was Helen Ruth?
Early Life in Boston
Helen Woodford was a young waitress working at a coffee shop in Boston. At just sixteen years old, her life was simple and unassuming. She was a native of South Boston, living a quiet life far from the world of fame and celebrity that she would soon enter.
A Chance Meeting with a Future Legend
In 1914, a nineteen-year-old pitcher named George Herman “Babe” Ruth arrived in Boston to play for the Red Sox. He frequented the coffee shop where Helen worked. A whirlwind romance began, and the two quickly fell in love.
Marriage to Baseball’s Greatest Star
Young Love and a Quick Wedding
Just a few months after meeting, on October 17, 1914, Helen and Babe were married. She was still a teenager, and he was on the cusp of becoming one of the most famous athletes in the world. Their wedding was a small, quiet affair in Ellicott City, Maryland.
Building a Life Together
In the early years of their marriage, they built a life together. They bought a farm in Sudbury, Massachusetts, which they named “Home Plate Farm.” They also adopted a daughter, Dorothy, and for a time, it seemed they had a happy family life.
Cracks in the Foundation
However, the pressures of Babe’s growing fame and his well-documented lifestyle of excess began to take a toll on their marriage. His infidelities and heavy drinking led to a growing distance between them. The once-happy couple found their relationship crumbling.
A Marriage in Crisis
Separation and a New Beginning
By 1926, Helen and Babe had separated. While they never officially divorced, they began to live separate lives. Helen sought a new beginning, away from the shadow of her famous husband.
Life as “Mrs. Kinder”
Helen moved to Watertown, Massachusetts, and began a new life with a dentist named Edward Kinder. To avoid the scandal of her separation, she lived under the name “Mrs. Helen Kinder.” Few people in her new life knew her true identity as the wife of Babe Ruth.
The Fatal Fire of 1929
A Night of Tragedy
On the night of January 10, 1929, a fire broke out in the Watertown house where Helen was living. She was alone at the time and was overcome by the smoke and flames. She died from her injuries the next day, at the age of 31.
The Truth Comes to Light
The initial reports of the fire identified the victim as the wife of a local dentist. However, an anonymous tip to the police revealed her true identity. The news of Helen Ruth’s death became a national story, and the tragic circumstances of her life and death were thrust into the spotlight.
Controversy and Unanswered Questions
Family Suspicions
Helen’s family was not convinced that her death was an accident. They raised questions about the fire, suggesting that it may have been deliberately set. Her family told stories of how Helen feared for her life, especially after she refused Babe’s request for a divorce.
The Investigation
An investigation was launched, and a second autopsy was performed. The official cause of death was ruled as suffocation from the fire, with no evidence of foul play. The fire was attributed to faulty wiring. Despite the official ruling, the questions and suspicions lingered.
A Sorrowful Farewell
Babe Ruth’s Grief
Babe Ruth, who was in New York at the time of the fire, traveled to Boston for the funeral. He was reportedly overcome with grief, sobbing as his wife was laid to rest. His public display of sorrow was a stark contrast to the private turmoil of their marriage.
Moving Forward
Just three months after Helen’s death, Babe Ruth married his mistress, Claire Hodgson. This quick remarriage only added to the public speculation and controversy surrounding Helen’s death. Babe and Claire remained married until his death in 1948.
The Legacy of Helen Ruth
The story of Helen Ruth is a poignant reminder of the human cost of fame and the private struggles that can lie behind a public persona. Her life was more than just a footnote in the story of a baseball legend. It was a life of love, loss, and a tragedy that continues to be a source of fascination and debate.
