The tragic passing of veteran actor Donald Sutherland has piqued fans’ concern for his wife and kids. The Hollywood icon died recently at the age of 88 following a prolonged battle with an illness. He was survived by his longtime partner, Francine Racette, as well as his five children. But who is Francine, and how long were the two married before the actor’s death?
Here are all the available details regarding Donald Sutherland’s wife, including her age and profession.
Who is Donald Sutherland’s wife?
Donald Sutherland was married to Canadian actress Francine Racette until his untimely passing. The Hunger Games actor had tied the knot twice before he settled down with Racette after exchanging vows with her in 1972.
According to People, the pair first locked eyes on the set of Alien Thunder and instantly hit it off. They married shortly afterward and welcomed their first son, Roeg, in 1974. Having wedded Lois Hardwick and Shirley Douglas before, Donald Sutherland finally found a lasting soulmate when he got hitched to Racette.
The legendary actor always pounced on the chance to praise her, labeling her as his inspiration and guide on numerous occasions. In a 2014 interview with GQ, the seasoned thespian also admitted that he always lived with his wife, irrespective of the constant traveling he had to indulge in due to his job. Donald Sutherland also made sure to acknowledge his wife when he was awarded an Honorary Academy Award in 2017.
Like her late partner, Francine Racette starred in multiple high-profile productions, including Au Revoir les Enfants and The Disappearance. She was even nominated for the elusive César Award for her masterful performance in Lumière.
What is Francine Racette’s age?
Born in Quebec, Canada, on September 23rd, 1947, Francine Racette is currently 76. Due to her European roots, Racette mostly appeared in French movies following her graduation from the National Theatre School of Canada in 1966.
How many kids do Donald Sutherland and Francine Racette have?
Donald Sutherland and his wife Francine Racette had three sons during their marriage, Roeg, Rossif, and Angus.
Sutherland had already fathered two kids from his brief union with Shirley Douglas before marrying Racette. He welcomed twins Kiefer and Rachel with Douglas in 1966. Interestingly, all of Sutherland’s sons are named after directors he has worked with. As per Variety, the Golden Globe Award winner considers filmmakers to be a part of his life, which ultimately inspired him to go through with this naming process.
All of Sutherland’s children have followed in their father’s footsteps and currently work in the entertainment industry. Kiefer Sutherland is the most famous of his children, with titles like 24 and Designated Survivor in his resume. Rossif Sutherland has also opted for a career in acting, while Rachel works as a production manager. Meanwhile, Roeg is a talent agent, and Angus has switched to producing after appearing in a handful of movies.