Megan Marshack, the woman whose name became forever intertwined with the legacy of former U.S. Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, has passed away at the age of 70 following complications from liver and kidney failure. Not much was simple about her life: born on October 31, 1953, Marshack rose from the quiet streets of Los Angeles to become part of one of the most contentious political stories of the late 20th century.
Marshack joined Rockefeller’s team as one of his press assistants after catching his attention during one of her journalistic pursuits. A news conference where she boldly interrupted Rockefeller to ask about New York's financial crisis stood out as their first interaction, paving the way for her rapid ascent within his inner circle. She moved from earning $225 per week to $138 per day, enjoying the perks of working closely with one of America's most powerful figures.
Her relationship with Rockefeller has been the subject of endless speculation. What was known is this: on the night of January 26, 1979, Rockefeller died of what was officially termed as a heart attack. The circumstances surrounding his death, though, were anything but straightforward. Instead of the expected heart attack occurring alone, it was revealed he was with Marshack at his townhouse, not his office as initially stated. Panic ensued, with emergency services being alerted after more than an hour's delay.
Newspapers seized on the story, and soon Marshack had become the subject of gossip and intrigue, often painted as the woman at the center of Rockefeller's mysterious final hours. Her reluctance to disclose details only added fuel to the fire, leading to speculation about the nature of their relationship. They had lived and worked together, and Rockefeller had even lent Marshack $45,000 for her apartment, later forgiving the loan upon his death.
Media outlets spun wild tales, referring to her simply as “Megan,” casting her as the romantic partner of one of the country’s wealthiest men. Yet, Marshack kept her lips sealed, refusing to confirm any intimate connection. Despite offers for lucrative book deals, she turned them down, preferring to maintain her silence.
Born to adoptive parents Sidney and Credwyn Marshack, Megan's early life was shaped by the aesthetic beauty of Los Angeles and the struggles of her family after her father lost his aerospace engineering job. From her teenage years, she was determined to be close to power, aiming to become a White House correspondent from the age of twelve. She hustled for stories even then, with detailing experiences of underwhelming success.
After her controversial time with Rockefeller, where she remained loyal to his memory, she continued her career as a producer for CBS News for nearly two decades before returning to California, where her new role as court reporter at a local publication awaited her. Amidst the pressures of her past, she strived for normalcy, marrying Edmond Jacoby, who unfortunately passed away last year.
Though her presence loomed large during Rockefeller’s life, she carried the weight of secrecy until her death. Those who knew her retained the view of her as fiercely private. Laurie Nadel, one of her close friends from CBS, remarked on her choices stating plainly, “What Megan ‘did for love’ was keep it private.” This sentiment aptly tied to the essence of Marshack’s life—intimate details always hidden from the prying eyes of the world, forever preserved as unfinished narratives sealed within her heart. A self-proclaimed professional by nature, she kept her career’s triumphs and the tribulations of her past close to her chest, never seeking profit from it.
It was not just her association with Rockefeller but her entire life story, from the aspiring journalist to the center of national intrigue, which echoed themes of ambition, secrecy, and dedication. Megan Marshack will forever be remembered not only as Rockefeller's aide but also as a journalist who always lived on her terms, maintaining control over her narrative until the very end. Her obituary, written largely by her own hand, echoed her belief: "(I) won’t forget, can’t regret, what I did for love,” capturing the essence of her elusive life, leaving behind questions of what might have been shared, had she chosen to reveal more.