This '50s Hollywood Icon Lost Her Stepson & Husband of 38 Years – What Her Life Looks Like Now as a Grandmother of 13

The actress once starred alongside her stepson before his untimely death. After two marriages, she now cherishes her role as a grandmother in a big, close-knit family.

The star's journey spans Broadway, film, and her beloved role as the singing mom on "The Partridge Family." Along the way, she earned acclaim as an award-winning actress.

However, her path to fame didn't begin with dreams of the spotlight. As a teenager, she had her sights set on becoming a veterinarian and only showed up to a Broadway audition by chance.

"I was a small-town girl and had no idea who Rodgers and Hammerstein even were," the Hollywood star once admitted. Richard Rodgers, a composer, and Oscar Hammerstein II, a lyricist, were two of the most influential figures in American musical theater.

Still, that lack of familiarity didn't stand in the actress and singer's way — just two weeks later, she found herself cast in her first Broadway production, "South Pacific."

That unexpected leap into Broadway marked only the beginning. Rodgers and Hammerstein soon took her under their wing, casting her in the film adaptations of two of their most beloved musicals — "Oklahoma!" in 1955 and "Carousel" in 1956.

Later, she shifted gears, earning praise for her serious role as a vengeful prostitute in "Elmer Gantry." As the celebrity's professional life blossomed, so did matters of the heart — she married actor Jack Cassidy in 1956 at just 22.

Marriage brought both joy and challenges. She stepped into the role of stepmother to David Cassidy, Jack's son from his earlier union with Evelyn Ward. Their bond burned bright — emotional and physical — with deep affection at its core.

"He was my first love and the love of my life," the actress shared. "He also gave me an incredible sex life." Yet, behind closed doors, their life was far from simple.

Jack's struggles with bipolar disorder, frequent drinking, and affairs — with both women and men — cast long shadows while she chose not to confront the truth. Amid personal struggles, her focus remained on raising her family. By 1970, with three young sons — Shaun, Patrick, and Ryan — whom she welcomed with her spouse, she looked for work that kept her close to home.

That shift led her to television. She turned down the role of Carol on "The Brady Bunch," not wanting to play a mother always pulling roasts out of the oven. Instead, the star joined "The Partridge Family," where she portrayed TV's first working mom.

The experience was even more meaningful as the television actress shared the screen with her stepson, David. "David and I had a great thing going then," she once reflected on their time together before his passing in 2017 at 67 due to liver failure.

Their bond went far beyond the screen, leaving a lasting imprint on their lives. Three years after David's death, his famous stepmother expressed her disbelief at how time had passed. "The idea that the little boy I came to know and love as my stepson would've turned 70 this year is astonishing to me," she said. "And I am grateful for all the wonderful times we shared together."

David also held a deep admiration for her. "She taught me so much about how to deal with fame and success," he once noted, calling her "one of the best human beings I've ever known." His connection with her family extended to her sons Shaun, Patrick, and Ryan, with whom he grew close.

That closeness wasn't limited to family gatherings — it grew stronger through their time on set. Working together brought more than professional joy — it deepened family bonds. David often spent time at her home, lending a hand with the children. The actress's youngest, Ryan, remembered those days with fondness.

He recalled being around seven, tagging along to the set, and having a crush on Suzanne Crough, the little tambourine player who portrayed Tracy. Some of his happiest moments were sitting beside his mother, watching scenes being filmed, and pretending to drive the colorful tour bus between takes.

Those lighthearted days on set soon gave way to heartache at home. As "The Partridge Family" soared in popularity, cracks in her marriage grew more visible. She later shared that it was Jack who chose to end their relationship.

"I never wanted out," the actress said. "He did it at a restaurant. He said, 'I still love you, but we have to part for a while.' I was in tears," she remembered in an interview. Over time, it became clear that no amount of love could alter Jack's path as he sank further into alcohol addiction.

The separation became final in 1974, but emotional ties lingered. Two years later, she turned down his offer to meet for drinks — a quiet attempt to mend what had been broken. That same evening, tragedy struck.

Jack, only 49, died in a house fire after falling asleep with a cigarette. The celebrity later revealed the lingering heartache. "He wanted to come back right up to the day he died. And as I realized later, I wanted him. That's the terrible part," she expressed.

Though the pain of losing Jack never fully faded, life eventually led actress Shirley Jones down a new path. In 1977, she married actor and comedian Marty Ingels — a union she later described in their book "Shirley & Marty: An Unlikely Love Story," published in 1990.

Jones later acknowledged that had Jack survived, she likely would not have remarried. Still, her second marriage, which endured until Ingels's passing in 2015, brought her a sense of safety and emotional support she had never known before.

In looking back, she recognized the unique qualities each man brought into her life. The star once shared that Jack had the looks of a leading man, but his skill in comedy truly intrigued her. She also described Ingels as intelligent, quick-witted, a talented writer, and a wonderful grandfather.

Their bond stood the test of time. Jones and Ingels, whom she met at a party at Michael Landon's home in 1974, shared 38 years of marriage in Los Angeles before his passing at 79. Ingels, who pursued the actress relentlessly, died in the Tarzana neighborhood due to complications from a stroke.

Though their relationship had ups and downs, Jones never stopped caring deeply for him. "He often drove me crazy, but there's not a day I won't miss him and love him to my core," she said.

In the years since, her attention has shifted to family life. Today, surrounded by her children and 13 grandchildren, Jones finds joy in the heart of a close-knit, devoted family.

Her home, once filled with children's laughter and the energy of two marriages, now thrives with the presence of generations. While the star has earned praise throughout her life, motherhood remains her proudest role.

In a 2021 interview, she shared that raising her three sons had been her greatest accomplishment. She described them as men of character and achievement and expressed how much she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.

As an only child, having a large, loving family felt extraordinary to her. She emphasized the importance of appreciating the present, saying that the moment they are in is truly all anyone has.

Alongside the joy of family, Jones continues to take pleasure in revisiting her past work. Watching her films on television still brings her delight, especially as it reminds her of the many talented actors she collaborated with throughout her six-decade career.

Winning an Oscar for her powerful role in "Elmer Gantry" remains a defining milestone. Although she holds no regrets about taking on "The Partridge Family," she acknowledged that it changed the course of her film career.

At the time, moving to television was seen as a step-down. She joked that once she became Mrs. Partridge, there was no returning to roles like Lulu Bains.

In the years since, her on-screen appearances have been fewer — not because filmmakers lost interest, as directors like Alexander Payne had her in mind for major roles — but because she always valued balance over fame.

That desire for balance guided many of her choices — including her gradual step away from the spotlight. After decades in the entertainment industry, Jones quietly wrapped up her acting career with two final roles: Grandma Ryburn in "Eco-Teens Save the World!" (2018) and a hotel owner in "Forgiven This Gun4hire" (2021).

Even at 91, her presence continues to captivate. Admirers still shower her with praise, touched by her enduring charm and grace. "She looks remarkable. I'm sure she loves this," one admirer commented.

Another shared, "She's just as beautiful today as she was at 21. She is America's mom. Thanks for sharing her talents with us." Others echoed the sentiment with words like "You're as beautiful as ever!" and "Mrs Jones looks absolutely incredible!! Will always love her so much."

Jones's life has been filled with memorable roles on and off the screen. From her early Broadway days to becoming America's favorite TV mom, she built a legacy that spans generations.

Through love, loss, and lasting family bonds, she found true fulfillment not in fame but in motherhood and her home. Now surrounded by her children and grandchildren, she embraces each moment with gratitude and grace.