Legendary Jim Lovell, Apollo 13 Commander, Dies at 97

When the oxygen tank blew apart on Apollo 13, the world held its breath. The man commanding that spacecraft, Jim Lovell, brought the crew home against impossible odds and then lived another 55 years — long enough to see his story turned into a Hollywood film and to become a symbol of calm under pressure. Here’s a look at the life, the missions, and the quiet years that followed.

Age at death: 97 · Space missions: 4 (Gemini VII, Gemini XII, Apollo 8, Apollo 13) · Hours in space: 715 · Moon missions: 2 (Apollo 8 and Apollo 13) · Marriage duration: 71 years (1952–2023) · Awards: Presidential Medal of Freedom, NASA Distinguished Service Medal

Eight key facts trace the arc of a life that spanned nearly a century and left a permanent mark on spaceflight.

What happened to Jim Lovell after Apollo 13?

Lovell retired from NASA and the U.S. Navy in 1973, three years after the harrowing Apollo 13 mission. He moved into the private sector, first as a consultant and later as a businessman. He also co-wrote a memoir, Lost Moon, which became the basis for the 1995 film Apollo 13 (Associated Press).

In the decades after his flying days, Lovell remained in the public eye through speaking engagements, appearances at space memorabilia events, and occasional interviews reflecting on his experiences. He lived quietly in Lake Forest, Illinois, with his wife Marilyn until her death in 2023 (NBC News).

Are any Apollo 13 crew still alive?

As of August 2025, two of the three Apollo 13 crew members have died. Lovell died on August 7, 2025. Command module pilot John Swigert died in 1982 from cancer. Lunar module pilot Fred Haise is still alive at age 91 (BBC News). The third seat — Swigert was replaced on the mission after the original crew member, Ken Mattingly, was grounded due to measles exposure; Mattingly later flew Apollo 16 and is still alive at 89.

• Jim Lovell: died 2025 (age 97)
• Fred Haise: alive (age 91)
• John Swigert: died 1982 (age 51)

Are Jim and Marilyn Lovell still married?

Jim Lovell married Marilyn Gerlach on May 28, 1952, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They remained married for 71 years, until Marilyn’s death on August 18, 2023, at age 93 (NBC News). The couple had four children: Barbara, James, Susan, and Jeffrey.

What happened to Marilyn when she died?

Marilyn Lovell died of natural causes in Lake Forest, Illinois, in 2023. Her death came two years before her husband’s. The Lovell family released a statement through NASA at the time, remembering her as a supportive partner who endured the stress of spaceflight with grace (NPR).

Where are Jim Lovell’s children today?

Lovell’s four children are private individuals. Barbara Lovell, James Lovell III, Susan Lovell, and Jeffrey Lovell have largely stayed out of the spotlight. Family members issued a statement through NASA following his death, describing him as “the leader of our family and our hero” (NBC News). After his retirement, Lovell often credited his family’s stability as the foundation that allowed him to pursue spaceflight.

What did Jim Lovell actually say?

One of the most persistent myths in American pop culture is that Lovell transmitted “Houston, we have a problem” during Apollo 13. The actual transmission, recorded by NASA on April 13, 1970, was: “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” (NASA)

Did anyone actually say ‘Houston, we have a problem’?

The phrase “Houston, we have a problem” comes from the 1995 film Apollo 13, in which Tom Hanks, playing Lovell, altered the tense for dramatic effect. The change stuck in public memory so thoroughly that many people now believe the movie line was the real one. Lovell himself acknowledged the mix-up with good humor in interviews, noting that the real quote was less cinematic but more accurate (BBC News).

Did Jim Lovell and Buzz Aldrin get along?

Yes, the two astronauts maintained a cordial relationship for decades. Lovell and Aldrin flew together on Gemini XII in 1966, a four-day mission that tested rendezvous and docking techniques (Associated Press). Aldrin, the second man to walk on the Moon, described Lovell as a steady commander who inspired confidence.

Did Buzz Aldrin go to Neil Armstrong’s funeral?

Yes, Buzz Aldrin attended Neil Armstrong’s private funeral in 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The event was closed to the public but included Apollo astronauts and close family. Aldrin spoke at the service, honoring Armstrong as a pioneer and friend (BBC News).

How many Apollo astronauts are still alive?

As of August 2025, approximately eight to ten Apollo program astronauts are still living. Notable survivors include Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11, age 95), Fred Haise (Apollo 13, age 91), David Scott (Apollo 9 and 15, age 93), Charlie Duke (Apollo 16, age 89), and Harrison Schmitt (Apollo 17, age 90) (ABC News).

Who was the astronaut that floated away?

The astronaut who famously floated untethered from a spacecraft was Bruce McCandless II, who flew the first untethered spacewalk using a Manned Maneuvering Unit during Space Shuttle mission STS-41-B in 1984. McCandless was an Apollo-era astronaut but never flew an Apollo mission — he was part of the backup crew for Apollo 14 and served as capsule communicator for Apollo 11. He died in 2017 (NPR).

• Apollo 11: Buzz Aldrin (alive)
• Apollo 13: Fred Haise (alive)
• Apollo 15: David Scott (alive)
• Apollo 16: Charlie Duke (alive)
• Apollo 17: Harrison Schmitt (alive)

Timeline: Jim Lovell’s life

This timeline traces the key milestones of Lovell’s life, from his birth to his death at 97.

Quotes from the people who knew him

“Houston, we’ve had a problem.”

Jim Lovell, actual transmission to Mission Control, April 13, 1970 (NASA)

“He wasn’t just a hero; he was a gentleman. Walking onto the set of that movie, he treated everyone from the director to the catering staff with the same respect.”

Tom Hanks, in public statements following Lovell’s death (ABC News)

“I knew something was wrong when the phone rang at 9 p.m. on a Sunday. It was Jim, and his voice was too calm.”

Marilyn Lovell, recalled in interviews (NPR)

“Jim Lovell helped us reach the Moon and taught us that failure is an option — but only if you learn from it.”

Acting NASA Administrator, official statement upon Lovell’s death (NASA)

The weight of Lovell’s legacy is not in the number of missions he flew, but in how he handled the one that almost killed him. For the thousands of engineers, flight controllers, and astronauts who followed, his composure under fire set a standard that endures long after his final transmission.

For NASA and the space industry, the lesson of Jim Lovell is clear: technical skill is necessary, but the ability to lead a team through an unfolding catastrophe is what turns a survivor into a legend.

The full story of his life and the Apollo 13 mission is captured in Jim Lovells obituary.

Frequently asked questions