Margaret Mitchell’s Death: What Happened?

The literary world mourned when Margaret Mitchell’s life was tragically cut short, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy with her beloved work, Gone with the Wind.

Margaret Mitchell: A Literary Icon

Margaret Mitchell, born on November 8, 1900, in Atlanta, Georgia, is best known for her magnum opus, Gone with the Wind. This bestselling novel received both a National Book Award and a Pulitzer Prize and was adapted into a critically acclaimed 1939 film starring Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable. It was Mitchell’s only published book during her lifetime.

Growing up, Mitchell was influenced by her mother, a suffragist, and her father, an attorney. A childhood accident led to her wearing boys’ pants and earning the nickname “Jimmy.” Her early creative efforts included a novella called Lost Laysen, written during her adolescent years but published posthumously.

Personal life

Despite her brief marriage to Berrien K. Upshaw, it was her second husband, John R. Marsh, who stood by her side until the end. Although she never had children, her legacy lives on through her writing.

How did Margaret Mitchell die?

Margaret Mitchell’s life came to a sudden and tragic end on August 16, 1949, in her native Atlanta, Georgia. She died as a result of injuries sustained in a traffic collision. While crossing Peachtree Street, she was struck by a speeding car driven by a drunk driver. Mitchell’s untimely demise at the age of 48 shocked the literary community and her fans worldwide.

Burial and funeral

Her funeral was held in Atlanta, with her burial taking place in the Oakland Cemetery, a historic cemetery that also serves as the final resting place for many notable figures from Georgia’s history.