Is John Dean Still Married to Maureen? The Truth About the Watergate Couple
John Dean is a name that many people associate with the Watergate scandal, the political drama that rocked the US in the 1970s and led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Dean was the White House counsel who testified against Nixon and his aides, exposing their involvement in the cover-up of the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. But what about his personal life? Is John Dean still married to Maureen, the woman who stood by his side during the tumultuous times? Here is everything you need to know about the Watergate couple.
Who is John Dean?
John Dean was born in Akron, Ohio, in 1938. He graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in 1965 and became a lawyer in Washington, DC. He worked as an associate deputy in the office of the Attorney General of the United States, John Mitchell, who later became Nixon’s campaign manager and then Attorney General. In 1970, Dean was appointed as the counsel to the President, a position that gave him access to Nixon and his inner circle.
Who is Maureen Dean?
Maureen Dean, also known as Mo, was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1940. She worked as a flight attendant for United Airlines and met John Dean on a flight in 1971. They married in October 1972, just four months before the Watergate scandal broke out. Maureen Dean was John’s second wife; he had previously married Karla Ann Hennings in 1962 and had a son with her, John Wesley Dean IV. They divorced in 1970.
How did John and Maureen Dean get involved in the Watergate scandal?
The Watergate scandal began on June 17, 1972, when five men were arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, DC. The men were linked to Nixon’s reelection campaign and had been hired by G. Gordon Liddy, a former FBI agent who worked for John Mitchell. John Dean was present at a meeting where Liddy presented his plan to spy on the Democrats and approved it.
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As the investigation into the break-in unfolded, John Dean realized that Nixon and his aides were trying to obstruct justice and cover up their involvement. He decided to cooperate with the prosecutors and testify before the Senate Watergate Committee. He revealed that Nixon had recorded his conversations in the Oval Office and that there was a “cancer on the presidency” that needed to be removed.
Maureen Dean supported her husband’s decision to testify and accompanied him to the hearings. She became a media sensation for her glamorous appearance and loyal demeanor. She also faced harassment and threats from Nixon’s supporters and had to hire bodyguards for protection.
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What happened to John and Maureen Dean after the Watergate scandal?
John Dean’s testimony was instrumental in exposing Nixon’s role in the Watergate scandal and led to his resignation on August 9, 1974. However, John Dean also faced legal consequences for his own involvement. He pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and spent four months in prison. He was also disbarred as a lawyer in Virginia and Washington, DC.
Maureen Dean stood by her husband throughout his ordeal and helped him rebuild his life after prison. She worked as a stockbroker and co-authored a fictional book called Washington Wives with ghostwriter Lucianne Goldberg.
John Dean became a best-selling author, writing several books about his experiences in the Nixon administration and his views on politics and law. He also became a commentator and lecturer on various media outlets and platforms. He has been critical of several Republican presidents, including George W. Bush, Donald Trump, and Ronald Reagan.
Are John and Maureen Dean still married today?
Yes, John and Maureen Dean are still married today. They have been together for almost 50 years and have no children together. They live in Beverly Hills, California, where they enjoy a quiet and comfortable life away from the spotlight. They occasionally appear in public events related to Watergate or politics, such as documentaries, podcasts, or panel discussions.
According to The Washington Post1, John Dean is having a moment as he stars in a new CNN series on the Watergate scandal called “Watergate: Blueprint for a Scandal”. He is also following closely the developments of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the US Capitol and its aftermath.
According to The Cinemaholic2, Maureen Dean is still supportive of her husband’s endeavors and accompanies him to some of his appearances. She is also active on social media, where she shares her opinions on current affairs and posts photos of her family and pets.
John and Maureen Dean are an example of a couple who survived one of the most turbulent periods in American history and remained loyal to each other despite all odds. They are also a reminder of the importance of truth and accountability in politics and democracy.