Lisa Lane, former contestant of the longest-running CBS game show “What’s My Line?” passed away on February 28, 2024, leaving a void on her partner and husband.
Lane was born on April 25, 1933, and is also known as Marianne Elizabeth Lane Hickey.
She was a fantastic chess player and the U.S. Women’s chess champion in 1959, but she was not a chess master.
Key Takeaways
Lisa married Walter Rich, an aspiring Philadelphia advertising man and commercial artist, in 1959.
In 1961, Lisa Lane tied the knot with Neil Hickey, editor-at-large of the Columbia Journalism Reviewed.
Lisa married Walter nine days after Lisa Lane won the U.S. Women’s Chess Championship title.
Lisa and Walter met at the coffeehouse for the first time.
Lisa appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated on August 7, 1961, the first chess player to do so.
Lane started playing chess in her late teens. She used to play at local coffeehouses.
Moreover, she was coached by Master Attilio Di Camillo. Later, she won the women’s championship in Philadelphia in 1958 and took her first U.S. Women’s Chess Championship in 1959 when she was only 21.
Later, Lane quit chess because she was annoyed with being identified as a chess player. In a 2018 interview with Sports Illustrated, she said,
“I felt it would be letting the idea of women’s chess down if I said no [to a man challenging her],” Lane says. “I felt like I was working all the time…. The idea that I was defending my title every time I sat down to play was an unpleasant feeling, even though I wasn’t really defending it. I just couldn’t put the title of women’s chess champion on the line every time I sat down to play.”
Insights On Lisa Lane First Husband, Walter Rich
Lisa Lane has been married twice in her life. First, she married Walter Rich, an aspiring Philadelphia advertising man and commercial artist.
They met at the coffeehouse for the first time, where Lisa used to play chess.
The couple officially tied the knot in 1959. But their marriage didn’t last long, as they confirmed their divorce in 1961.
However, the couple has not disclosed the reason behind their separation.
Lisa Lane poses in front of a chess board in New York. (Source: Reddit)
They married nine days after Lisa Lane won the U.S. Women’s Chess Championship title.
After their separation, Lisa began training full-time in chess. To support herself, she promoted herself and started giving chess exhibitions.
Lisa Lane’s Second Partner Was Neil Hickey
After the divorce from Walter Rich, Lisa Lane tied the knot with Neil Hickey, editor-at-large of the Columbia Journalism Reviewed, in 1962.
Lisa and Neil were friends of Bobby Fischer and assisted him in some of the chess articles.
Lisa Lane was with her second husband, Neil Hickey. (Source: Getty Images)
Later, the couple settled in Carmel, where they started their natural food store. The couple had no children.
Her husband Neil wrote one of the first literary stories about Lisa Lane, “Chess Queen’s Gambit.” When Lisa Lane passed away, Neil was there for her.
FAQ’s
How Old Was Lisa Lane?
Lisa Lane was 91 years old at the time of passing.
How Much Was Lisa Lane’s Rating?
As of the end of 1961, Lane had a 2002 Elo rating from the United States Chess Federation, a low expert rating.
What Was Lisa Lane’s Net Worth?
Lisa Lane’s net worth was $1 million at the time of her passing.
Rohit Maharjan is a skilled content writer and editor, known for his expertise in crafting engaging and informative written pieces. Beyond his professional work, Rohit is also a passionate musician, dedicating his free time to playing the guitar and creating melodious tunes.
