By Ruth Haesemeyer
ruthh@neighborsgo.com

Any time Zig Ziglar made a presentation during his speaking career, which spanned more than 50 years, he always mentioned a certain redhead.

In every speech, the now-retired author and motivational speaker said, he made a point of talking about his wife of more than 65 years, Jean.

“In marriage, the husband must always take care of the girl, his wife,” Zig said, “and treat her like what she is, the most important person in this man’s life.”

The Ziglars, who live at The Legacy at Willow Bend retirement community in Plano, have always shown their love when out in public, said their daughter, Cindy Oates. Her father especially, she said, has always found thoughtful ways to show her mother his love — notes, cards, little gifts. They’re all part of Zig’s philosophy regarding marriage.

“I’ve always believed that when you get married, you’re supposed to court the person you married forever,” he said.

Young love

Zig and Jean met in Jackson, Miss., at an open house at a YWCA. He was 17; she was 16.

“I’d never seen another girl as pretty,” Zig said of their first meeting.

Jean said Zig was really cute.

“I never got tired of him, and the other guys I did,” she said.

In 1946, when she was 18 and he was 20, the couple married in South Carolina, where Zig was attending the University of South Carolina. While there, Zig began working as a salesman in the cookware industry. The family moved around several times and grew to include three girls, Suzan, Cindy and Julie, and a boy, Tom. Shortly after Tom’s birth, Zig attended a motivational seminar where he was supposed to serve as announcer. But when a speaker didn’t show up, he found himself giving a presentation. It was his first speech in front of a large crowd — the start to his career as a motivational speaker.

A few years later, another big change happened in Zig’s life — he became a Christian. Faith became the center of the Ziglar home, Oates said.

“God was always first and then family second and then work,” she said. “They were very balanced that way.”

Wherever his career took him, Zig said he made sure he and Jean spoke daily. He was also very careful to make it clear that he was faithful to her, Oates said, making sure not to be alone with another woman. Zig said he’s always believed reputation is important.

“I made it clear that I was not doing anything but honoring my wife,” he said.

Happy together

The Ziglars have always had a lot of fun together, said Laurie Magers, Zig’s longtime executive assistant.

“They truly enjoy each other,” she said. “They just like each other a lot, besides the fact that they love each other.”

Zig said a sense of humor is an asset in marriage. He said he once told Jean that if she ever left him, he was going with her.

For her part, Jean always stood beside her husband, Oates said, and had faith in his talent. Magers said the Ziglars’ relationship has been essential to Zig’s work.

“I really think that it has probably been foundational to his career,” she said. “She made it really easy for him to believe in himself.”

Zig retired in December 2010; Tom is now CEO of his Plano-based company, Ziglar Inc.

This Tuesday, as they always do on Feb. 14, Zig and Jean will exchange valentines, symbols of an enduring love.

“It’s like they’ve been on a honeymoon for 65 years,” Oates said.
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Neighborsgo reporter Ruth Haesemeyer can be reached at ruthh@neighborsgo.com or 214-977-8024.