Jim Lovell, the commander of Apollo 13 who helped turn a near-disaster into a “successful failure,” died in August 2025 at age 97. His career spanned four historic space missions, including Apollo 8’s first crewed orbit of the Moon, and this article looks beyond the crisis to his family, post-NASA career, and the real story behind those iconic words.
Age at death: 97 ·
Space missions flown: 4 (Gemini VII, Gemini XII, Apollo 8, Apollo 13) ·
Moon flights: 2 ·
Years married to Marilyn: 71 (1952–2023) ·
Children: 5
Quick snapshot
- Gemini VII (1965) (Astronaut Scholarship Foundation)
- Gemini XII (1966) (NASA Remembers Jim Lovell)
- Apollo 8 (1968) – first crewed Moon orbit (NBC News)
- Apollo 13 (1970) – aborted Moon landing (NPR)
- Married Marilyn Gerlach (1952–2023) (ABC7 New York)
- Five children (Biography)
- Resided in Lake Forest, Illinois (ABC News)
- Died August 8, 2025, aged 97 (BBC News) (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum)
- Cause of death not publicly specified (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum)
- Inducted into multiple halls of fame (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- Actual words: “Houston, we’ve had a problem” (American Museum of Aviation)
- Often misquoted as “Houston, we have a problem” (NASA Remembers Jim Lovell)
Snapshot facts for Jim Lovell: seven key details, one pattern: a life built around service, exploration, and quiet resilience.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | James Arthur Lovell Jr. |
| Born | March 25, 1928, Cleveland, Ohio |
| Died | August 8, 2025, Lake Forest, Illinois |
| Space missions | 4 (Gemini VII, Gemini XII, Apollo 8, Apollo 13) |
| Spouse | Marilyn Gerlach (m. 1952–2023) |
| Children | 5 (Barbara, James, Susan, Jeffrey, Jay) |
| Notable achievement | Commanded Apollo 13; flew on Apollo 8 (first crewed Moon orbit) |
Are any Apollo 13 crew still alive?
As of late 2025, only one member of the Apollo 13 crew is still living. Fred Haise, the lunar module pilot, survives at age 91. Jim Lovell died on August 8, 2025 (BBC News). Command module pilot Jack Swigert passed away in 1982 from cancer (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum).
Which Apollo 13 astronauts are alive?
Fred Haise is the only surviving Apollo 13 astronaut as of 2025 (NBC News).
When did Jack Swigert die?
Jack Swigert died on December 27, 1982, after a battle with bone marrow cancer (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum).
Is Fred Haise still alive?
Yes, Fred Haise is alive as of this writing. He was 91 in 2025 and resides in Florida (Astronaut Scholarship Foundation).
For readers wondering about the Apollo 13 crew, the short answer is: one survivor remains. The crew’s three members each took different paths after 1970, but only Haise outlived his commander.
The pattern is clear: survival against the odds defined the Apollo 13 crew, and Haise now carries that legacy alone.
What happened to Jim Lovell after Apollo 13?
Lovell retired from NASA and the U.S. Navy in 1973 (Biography). He then moved into the private sector, working as an executive at Fisk Telephone Systems and later at Centel, a telecommunications company (Encyclopaedia Britannica). He co-authored the book “Lost Moon” with Jeffrey Kluger, which was adapted into the 1995 film Apollo 13 starring Tom Hanks (NPR).
Did Jim Lovell continue flying?
After retiring from the Navy, Lovell did not fly for NASA again but remained a licensed pilot. He said he missed the weightlessness but found satisfaction in business (ABC News).
What business career did Lovell pursue?
Lovell became president of Fisk Telephone Systems in Houston and later held senior roles at Centel, a Chicago-based telecom company. He also served on several corporate boards (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
Did Lovell write a book?
Yes. “Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13” was published in 1994 and became the basis for the Oscar-winning film. Lovell co-wrote it with author Jeffrey Kluger (NPR).
Lovell’s shift from space to boardroom illustrates his adaptability.
Are Jim and Marilyn Lovell still married?
Jim and Marilyn Lovell were married for 71 years, from 1952 until her death in 2023 (ABC7 New York). They met at a high school dance in Milwaukee and married after Lovell’s naval academy graduation.
When did Marilyn Lovell die?
Marilyn Lovell passed away in 2023 at age 93. The family did not release a cause of death (ABC News).
How long were Jim and Marilyn married?
They were married for exactly 71 years — a rare longevity for a NASA family, especially one that weathered the Apollo 13 crisis (NBC News).
Did Jim Lovell remarry?
Jim Lovell did not remarry after Marilyn’s death (BBC News).
Marilyn’s death in 2023 left Lovell as a widower for his final two years. Their marriage is often described as the backbone of his stability during the Apollo 13 crisis.
Their bond remained unbroken until the end.
What did Jim Lovell actually say?
The famous phrase “Houston, we have a problem” is a Hollywood invention. Lovell’s actual words during the Apollo 13 oxygen tank explosion were: “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum). The misquote comes from the 1995 film Apollo 13, where Tom Hanks, playing Lovell, says “Houston, we have a problem.”
Did anyone ever say ‘Houston, we have a problem’?
No crew member said that exact phrase. In the film, it was changed for dramatic clarity (BBC News).
What is the correct quote from Apollo 13?
Lovell transmitted: “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” It was followed by a brief exchange confirming the explosion (NPR).
Why is the quote misremembered?
The film’s version stuck in pop culture. The actual line is less dramatic but more grammatically precise — and it’s the one that Lovell himself insisted on using in interviews (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
Accuracy in language reflects Lovell’s careful nature.
Where are Jim Lovell’s children today?
Jim and Marilyn Lovell had five children: Barbara, James III, Susan, Jeffrey, and Jay (NBC News). All lead private lives away from the media spotlight.
How many children did Jim Lovell have?
Five — one daughter and four sons. A family statement after his death said they were “grateful for the outpouring of support” (ABC News).
What are the names of Jim Lovell’s children?
Barbara, James, Susan, Jeffrey, and Jay. James Lovell III is known to have pursued a business career (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
Are any of Lovell’s children in the public eye?
Not actively. They have maintained a low profile, in contrast to their father’s fame. The family statement after his death was the first public communication from them in years.
For readers curious about the Lovell family tree, the children deliberately stayed out of the spotlight. That privacy is a testament to how Jim and Marilyn raised them — grounded, not chasing celebrity.
The Lovell children chose a quiet legacy, mirroring their father’s humility.
Timeline: Jim Lovell’s life in milestones
- — Jim Lovell born in Cleveland, Ohio (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- — Selected as NASA astronaut (Group 2) (NASA Remembers Jim Lovell)
- — Gemini VII mission (with Frank Borman) (Astronaut Scholarship Foundation)
- — Gemini XII mission (with Buzz Aldrin) (Astronaut Scholarship Foundation)
- — Apollo 8 — first crewed orbit of the Moon; witnessed Earthrise (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum)
- — Apollo 13 — oxygen tank explosion; successful emergency return (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum)
- — Retired from NASA and U.S. Navy (Biography)
- — Film Apollo 13 released; Tom Hanks portrays Lovell (NPR)
- — Marilyn Lovell dies (ABC7 New York)
- — Jim Lovell dies at age 97 (BBC News)
This timeline shows the steady arc of a life defined by exploration and resilience.
Confirmed facts
- Lovell died on August 8, 2025 (BBC News)
- He commanded Apollo 13 and flew Apollo 8 (NBC News)
- He married Marilyn in 1952; she died in 2023 (ABC7 New York)
- He had five children (BBC News)
- The actual quote is “Houston, we’ve had a problem” (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum)
What’s unclear
- Cause of death has not been publicly released (BBC News)
- Exact current whereabouts of all children (only known that they are private individuals)
- Date of death: some sources report August 7, 2025 (NASA Remembers Jim Lovell)
- Spelling of spouse’s name: varies between Marilyn and Marilynn (ABC7 New York)
- Number of children: some sources initially reported four (NBC News)
Quotes from Jim Lovell
“Houston, we’ve had a problem.”
Jim Lovell, Apollo 13 transmission after oxygen tank explosion, April 13, 1970 (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum)
Reflecting on the mission, Lovell later described it as “a failure, but a successful one” (NPR).
“We are grateful for the outpouring of support.”
Lovell family statement following his death (ABC News)
For those who grew up watching the moon landings or the film that immortalized the crisis, Lovell’s legacy is clear: he was a commander who brought his crew home against the odds. The real story — the Earthrise photos, the steadfast marriage, the quiet years in business — is just as compelling. For readers seeking the full biography, the concrete lesson is this: the man behind the quote was more than a voice on the radio.
Related coverage: read Jim Lovells full obituary fördjupar bilden av Jim Lovell: Apollo 13 Commander Dies at 97.
Frequently asked questions
When did Jim Lovell die?
Jim Lovell died on August 8, 2025, at his home in Lake Forest, Illinois (BBC News).
How old was Jim Lovell when he died?
He was 97 years old (NPR).
Did Jim Lovell ever walk on the Moon?
No. He flew to the Moon on Apollo 8 and Apollo 13, but never landed. Apollo 13’s landing was aborted (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum).
What was Jim Lovell’s rank in the Navy?
He retired as a Captain (O-6) in the U.S. Navy (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum).
Who played Jim Lovell in the Apollo 13 movie?
Tom Hanks portrayed him in the 1995 film Apollo 13 (NPR).
What happened to the Apollo 13 crew after the mission?
Lovell retired from NASA in 1973; Swigert died in 1982; Haise remained in the space industry and later became a consultant (Astronaut Scholarship Foundation).
Did Jim Lovell receive any awards?
Yes. He received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, and was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
What is Jim Lovell’s connection to the Earthrise photo?
Lovell was one of three Apollo 8 astronauts who saw and photographed Earth rising above the lunar horizon on December 24, 1968. The iconic image “Earthrise” was taken by William Anders, but Lovell helped capture the moment (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum).
These answers address the most common questions about Lovell’s life and legacy.
Chadwick Boseman Cause of Death and Lasting Legacy · Elizabeth Taylor: Cause of Death, Health & True Love
For further reading, these related biographies follow similar themes of legacy and impact.
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Reviewly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.