Maudie Marian Baer grew up with a father who ruled the heavyweight boxing world and a brother who later became a famous television star. Yet Maudie chose a very different path. She is the daughter of former world heavyweight champion Max Baer and the sister of The Beverly Hillbillies star Max Baer Jr. Unlike them, she built a private family life in Sacramento. In fact, a 2025 Sacramento Bee report quoted Maudie directly, called her Maudie Goodwin, said she was 81, and confirmed she was still living in Sacramento.
Who Is Maudie Marian Baer?
Maudie Marian Baer is the daughter of boxing legend Max Baer Sr. and his second wife, Mary Ellen Sullivan.
She is also the younger sister of actor Max Baer Jr. and the late James “Jim” Manny Baer.
However, Maudie never followed her father into boxing or her brother into acting.
Instead, she stayed largely outside public life.
That is why information about her is much harder to find than information about the famous men in her family.
Still, recent reliable reporting has given us a clearer picture.
A Sacramento Bee story published in 2025 identified her as Maudie Goodwin, age 81, living in Sacramento. The newspaper even quoted her memories of growing up around her famous father.
How Old Is Maudie Marian Baer?
Maudie’s exact birth year is one of the biggest points of confusion online.
Some biographical records list her birth year as 1943. For example, MyHeritage’s biographical collection gives 1943.
However, several other long-running family biographies list 1944. Max Baer’s family biography also identifies Maudie as his daughter and places her birth in 1944.
Then we have newer evidence.
In 2025, the Sacramento Bee described Maudie Goodwin as 81 years old.
That would place her birth around 1943 or 1944, depending on when her birthday falls.
Therefore, the safest answer is simple.
Maudie Marian Baer was born around 1943 or 1944 and would be about 82 or 83 in 2026.
An exact birthday often repeated on smaller websites should not be treated as confirmed without a stronger birth record.
Is Maudie Marian Baer Still Alive?
Yes, based on the latest strong public information available.
The Sacramento Bee interviewed Maudie for a local history story in 2025.
The newspaper described her as 81 and said she lived in Sacramento.
Therefore, claims on some biography websites that nobody knows whether she is still alive are outdated.
The stronger answer is that Maudie was alive and living in Sacramento as recently as 2025.
There is no reliable public report reviewed here announcing her death since then.
Is Maudie Marian Baer Also Known as Maudie Goodwin?
Yes.
This is strongly supported.
The 2009 obituary for her brother James Manny Baer lists his surviving sister as Maudie Goodwin (Tom).
The Sacramento Bee also called her Maudie Goodwin in its 2025 report.
Therefore, readers searching for Maudie Marian Baer should know that later public records often use her married name, Maudie Goodwin.
That explains why searches using only “Maudie Baer” can produce very little recent information.
Who Was Maudie Marian Baer’s Father?
Maudie’s father was Maximilian Adelbert Baer, better known as Max Baer.
He became one of the most famous heavyweight boxers of the 1930s.
The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame says Baer won the world heavyweight championship on June 14, 1934, when he stopped Primo Carnera. He held the title until June 13, 1935, when James J. Braddock defeated him by decision.
Baer was known for enormous punching power.
He was also known for his humor and larger-than-life personality.
However, Maudie’s memories show another side.
To her, he was simply Dad.
What Did Maudie Say About Her Father Max Baer?
A 2025 Sacramento Bee story gives us a rare first-hand memory from Maudie.
She remembered her father taking local children to the swimming pool in Sacramento.
According to Maudie, Max would fill his Pontiac with children from Holy Spirit School and take them to Land Park’s pool.
She remembered him as someone who loved children and wanted them to enjoy normal childhood experiences.
That small story is important.
Most boxing history talks about punches, championships, knockouts, and famous fights.
Maudie remembered something much simpler.
She remembered a father giving children a fun day at the pool.
Where Did Maudie Marian Baer Grow Up?
Strong local reporting connects Maudie’s childhood closely with Sacramento, California.
The Sacramento Bee reported that her family lived near Riverside Boulevard and Land Park.
A Sutter County historical publication also recalled Maudie growing up in Sacramento and visiting family friends in nearby Nicolaus.
Therefore, Sacramento was not simply a later home for her.
It was an important part of her childhood too.
Her father had strong ties to Northern California, even though his boxing career took him around the country.
Who Was Maudie Marian Baer’s Mother?
Maudie’s mother was Mary Ellen Sullivan.
Mary Ellen became Max Baer’s second wife.
They married in 1935 and remained legally married until Max’s death in 1959. Together, they had three children: Max Jr., James, and Maudie.
Mary Ellen lived until 1978.
Unlike her famous husband, she did not build a major public celebrity career.
Therefore, reliable information about her personal life is much more limited.
Still, she formed the center of the family that raised the three Baer children.
How Many Siblings Does Maudie Marian Baer Have?
Maudie had two brothers.
Her older brothers were Max Baer Jr. and James Manny Baer.
Max Jr. was born in 1937.
James was born in 1942. Santa Clara University’s alumni magazine confirms James’ birth date as August 9, 1942.
Maudie was the youngest of the three.
Each sibling took a very different path.
Max Jr. became famous on television.
James built a quieter business career.
Meanwhile, Maudie created her own private family life.
Who Is Max Baer Jr.?
Max Baer Jr. is Maudie’s oldest brother.
He became famous as Jethro Bodine on the classic CBS sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies.
People reports that the series ran from 1962 to 1971 and that Max Jr. later moved into directing and producing. He remains the last surviving member of the show’s main cast.
Before becoming Jethro, Max Jr. appeared in other television programs.
However, The Beverly Hillbillies changed his life.
The character became so famous that separating himself from Jethro later became difficult.
Maudie, on the other hand, never faced that problem because she stayed away from television fame.
Is Max Baer Jr. Still Alive?
Yes.
Current reporting still identifies Max Baer Jr. as living.
People described him as the final surviving main cast member of The Beverly Hillbillies.
He was born on December 4, 1937.
Therefore, Max Jr. is 88 years old as of August 2026.
That makes Maudie and Max Jr. two surviving members of the famous Baer family generation, based on the latest reliable public information available.
Who Was James Manny Baer?
James Manny Baer was Maudie’s other brother.
He was born on August 9, 1942, in Sacramento.
Unlike Max Jr., James did not become a television star.
Instead, his obituary says he studied at the University of Santa Clara and Heald’s Business College before working for companies including AK Steel, Rainbow Liquor, Berberian Bros., and Young’s Market.
James died on July 23, 2009.
He was 66.
His obituary gives some of the strongest public information we have about Maudie’s adult family.
Is Maudie Marian Baer Married?
Yes, public family records strongly show that Maudie married Thomas W. Goodwin, known as Tom.
Her brother James’ 2009 obituary lists his sister as “Maudie Goodwin (Tom).”
A family-tree record also identifies Thomas W. Goodwin as Maudie’s spouse.
Therefore, unlike several newer biography websites that say her marital status is unknown, there is actually solid public evidence that she married.
However, details such as the wedding date are not strongly confirmed.
So, it is better not to guess.
Does Maudie Marian Baer Have Children?
Evidence also supports that Maudie and Tom Goodwin have children.
James Baer’s obituary lists Steve Goodwin as a nephew and Staci Goodwin as a niece immediately alongside his sister Maudie Goodwin and her husband Tom.
A Geneanet family record identifies Stephen M. Goodwin and Staci M. Goodwin as Maudie and Thomas Goodwin’s children.
Therefore, Maudie appears to be the mother of two children, Stephen and Staci.
However, they are private people.
There is no reason to publish personal addresses, workplaces, phone numbers, or other private information.
Does Maudie Marian Baer Have Grandchildren?
The family record gives some signs of a larger next generation.
James Baer’s obituary names great-nieces Mary and Elizabeth and a great-nephew named Max.
However, public family records do not need to be turned into a detailed map of private relatives.
The important fact is that the Baer-Goodwin family continued into later generations.
Because most members are private citizens, their personal lives deserve privacy.
What Does Maudie Marian Baer Do for a Living?
Maudie’s professional career is not clearly documented by strong public sources.
Several newer websites give vague descriptions of her career or suggest different jobs.
However, those pages rarely provide company records, interviews, or other proof.
Therefore, the safest answer is:
Maudie Marian Baer’s professional career has remained largely private.
That is not unusual.
She never tried to build a public brand from her father’s boxing fame.
Most strong records identify her through family and Sacramento history instead.
What Is Maudie Marian Baer’s Net Worth?
Maudie Marian Baer’s personal net worth is not publicly confirmed.
Some newer biography sites publish exact estimates.
For example, one 2026 page claims a figure of around $1.7 million and suggests inheritance as the reason.
However, that page does not show reliable financial documents proving the number.
There are no strong public records showing Maudie’s full savings, property, investments, inheritance, or other assets.
Therefore, readers should not treat such figures as facts.
Her father’s fame does not automatically tell us her personal wealth.
Did Maudie Marian Baer Inherit Her Father’s Money?
There is no strong public record reviewed here showing exactly what Maudie inherited after Max Baer’s death.
Estate matters can be complicated.
Money may pass through a spouse, children, trusts, property, or other arrangements.
Therefore, saying Maudie became wealthy from an inheritance without legal records would be guesswork.
What we do know is that her father was a major boxing star.
However, fame and financial wealth are not always the same thing.
When Did Max Baer Sr. Die?
Max Baer died on November 21, 1959.
He was only 50 years old.
The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame confirms his birth in 1909 and death in 1959.
Maudie was still a teenager at the time.
Therefore, she lost her father very young.
Again, we should not invent private details about how she personally handled that loss.
Still, it clearly became a major change in the Baer family.
What Was Max Baer’s Cause of Death?
Max Baer died after suffering a heart attack in Hollywood.
His death came only a few years after the height of his fame.
By that point, he had already retired from serious boxing and had worked in entertainment, radio, refereeing, and other public roles.
He left behind Mary Ellen and their three children.
Meanwhile, his boxing legacy continued to grow long after his death.
Was Max Baer Really Like the Villain in Cinderella Man?
This question became a major part of the Baer family’s later story.
The 2005 film Cinderella Man tells the story of boxer James J. Braddock.
In the movie, Max Baer is shown as a frightening and cruel opponent.
However, many boxing historians and members of the Baer family have said the movie’s version did not fairly show the real man.
The real Baer was certainly dangerous inside the boxing ring.
However, historical sports sources also describe a much more complicated person outside it.
Maudie’s own 2025 memory of her father taking children swimming gives a very different picture from a simple movie villain.
Did Max Baer Kill Someone in the Boxing Ring?
Boxer Frankie Campbell died after fighting Max Baer in 1930.
The event deeply affected Baer.
Historical boxing accounts say Baer faced a manslaughter charge but was cleared. He also stopped boxing for a period afterward.
Another boxer, Ernie Schaaf, died after fighting Primo Carnera several months after an earlier fight with Baer.
Over time, stories sometimes described Baer as having directly killed two men in the ring.
However, that description oversimplifies what happened.
The Campbell tragedy was directly linked with their bout.
The Schaaf story was more complicated.
Therefore, careful wording matters.
Why Was Max Baer’s Fight With Max Schmeling Important?
In 1933, Max Baer fought German champion Max Schmeling.
Baer wore a Star of David on his boxing trunks.
The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame says he stopped Schmeling in the tenth round.
The fight took place during the rise of Nazi power in Germany.
As a result, it gained meaning far beyond sports.
Baer later continued wearing the Star of David.
This part of his history remains important when people discuss his family background and public image.
Was Max Baer Jewish?
Max Baer’s father had Jewish ancestry.
His mother had Scots-Irish roots.
Baer publicly identified with his Jewish family background and famously wore the Star of David while boxing.
Therefore, Maudie grew up in a family with mixed European roots.
However, a person’s own faith and identity are personal.
There is no strong reason to guess how Maudie herself identifies religiously.
Family ancestry does not automatically tell us an individual’s personal beliefs.
Did Maudie Marian Baer Become Famous Like Her Family?
No.
That is perhaps the most interesting part of her story.
Her father became a world heavyweight champion.
Her oldest brother became one of television’s most recognizable comedy actors.
Yet Maudie did not turn her surname into a public career.
Instead, she married, became known as Maudie Goodwin, raised a family, and stayed connected to Sacramento.
That does not mean her life was less important.
It simply means she chose a different kind of life.
Why Is Maudie Marian Baer So Private?
Maudie has not given a major interview explaining why she avoided celebrity.
Therefore, nobody should invent a reason.
Still, the public record shows a clear pattern.
She rarely appeared in entertainment reporting.
Moreover, even when her famous father became the subject of books and movies, she did not build a large media career around his name.
Her 2025 comments to the Sacramento Bee came in a local-history story, not a celebrity interview.
That says a lot.
Her public connection appears to be with family memories and Sacramento history rather than celebrity culture.
Where Does Maudie Marian Baer Live Now?
The latest strong reporting places her in Sacramento, California.
The Sacramento Bee said in 2025 that Maudie Goodwin, then 81, lived in Sacramento.
This also brings her story full circle.
She grew up with deep Sacramento roots.
Decades later, reliable reporting still found her there.
Of course, a city is enough information.
There is no need to publish a private home address.
What Is Maudie Marian Baer Doing in 2026?
There is no detailed public report about Maudie’s everyday routine in 2026.
However, the most recent reliable reporting confirms she was living privately in Sacramento in 2025.
At that time, she was willing to share memories about her father and local Sacramento history.
Therefore, the best current description is simple.
Maudie Marian Baer, now known as Maudie Goodwin, appears to be enjoying a private later life away from celebrity attention.
There is no strong evidence of a current public career.
Why Are People Searching for Maudie Marian Baer?
Interest usually starts with Max Baer Sr.
Boxing fans discover his heavyweight championship.
Movie viewers may learn his name through Cinderella Man.
Then, classic television fans discover his son Max Baer Jr.
Eventually, people start asking about the rest of the family.
That leads them to James and Maudie.
Because Maudie stayed private, the lack of information creates even more curiosity.
Unfortunately, it also means some websites invent details to fill the gaps.
That is why checking stronger records matters.
What Online Information About Maudie Marian Baer Is Wrong?
Several claims need caution.
First, her exact birthday is unclear.
Some websites give March 8, 1943. Others say only 1944. Recent local reporting gives her age but not a birth date.
Second, some articles say her husband and children are unknown.
That is outdated because her brother’s obituary clearly names Maudie Goodwin, her husband Tom, and relatives Steve and Staci.
Third, some sites publish an exact net worth.
There is no strong evidence for those numbers.
Finally, some pages say nobody knows whether Maudie is still alive.
The 2025 Sacramento Bee report proves that claim is outdated.
Final Thoughts
Maudie Marian Baer comes from a family filled with major American stories.
Her father, Max Baer Sr., became world heavyweight champion in 1934 after defeating Primo Carnera. He remained champion until James J. Braddock beat him the following year.
Her oldest brother, Max Baer Jr., took a completely different road.
He became Jethro Bodine on The Beverly Hillbillies and later worked as a producer and director.
Her other brother, James Manny Baer, lived a much quieter life before dying in 2009.
Then there is Maudie.
She stayed private.
Strong family records show that she became Maudie Goodwin, married Tom Goodwin, and had a family of her own. Her brother’s obituary names Steve Goodwin and Staci Goodwin among his nephew and niece.
Most importantly, Maudie did not disappear.
A 2025 Sacramento Bee story found her living in Sacramento at age 81.
She even shared a warm childhood memory of her famous father loading local children into his car and taking them swimming.
That memory tells us something celebrity biographies often miss.
To boxing history, Max Baer was a fearsome heavyweight champion.
To movie fans, he became a controversial character in Cinderella Man.
To Maudie, however, he was a father who liked making children happy.
There are still things we do not know.
Her exact birth date remains unclear.
Her career was private.
Her personal finances are not verified.
However, we do know far more than some newer websites suggest.
Maudie Marian Baer is not simply a mysterious “forgotten daughter.”
She is Maudie Goodwin, a member of a remarkable American sports and entertainment family who chose a much quieter life in Sacramento.
FAQs About Maudie Marian Baer
Who is Maudie Marian Baer?
Maudie Marian Baer is the daughter of former world heavyweight boxing champion Max Baer Sr. and Mary Ellen Sullivan. She is also the sister of The Beverly Hillbillies actor Max Baer Jr.
Is Maudie Marian Baer still alive?
The latest strong public report says yes. The Sacramento Bee interviewed Maudie Goodwin in 2025, when she was 81 and living in Sacramento.
How old is Maudie Marian Baer?
Sources disagree slightly about her birth year. Records commonly place it around 1943 or 1944. Therefore, she would be about 82 or 83 in 2026.
What is Maudie Marian Baer’s married name?
Her married name is Maudie Goodwin. Both her brother’s obituary and recent Sacramento reporting use that name.
Who is Maudie Marian Baer’s husband?
Family records identify her husband as Thomas “Tom” Goodwin.
Does Maudie Marian Baer have children?
Family records strongly indicate that she has two children, Stephen “Steve” Goodwin and Staci Goodwin.
Who was Maudie Marian Baer’s father?
Her father was Max Baer Sr., world heavyweight boxing champion from 1934 to 1935.
Who was Maudie Marian Baer’s mother?
Her mother was Mary Ellen Sullivan, Max Baer’s second wife and the mother of his three children.
Is Max Baer Jr. Maudie Marian Baer’s brother?
Yes. Max Baer Jr., best known as Jethro Bodine on The Beverly Hillbillies, is her older brother.
Who was Maudie Marian Baer’s other brother?
Her other brother was James “Jim” Manny Baer, born in 1942. He died in 2009.
Where does Maudie Marian Baer live?
The latest reliable public report places her in Sacramento, California.
What does Maudie Marian Baer do for a living?
Her professional career is not clearly documented in strong public sources. She has lived a private life away from entertainment fame.
What is Maudie Marian Baer’s net worth?
Her personal net worth is not publicly verified. Exact figures found on smaller biography websites should be treated as guesses.
Was Maudie Marian Baer an actress?
There is no strong evidence that she built a professional acting career. Her brother Max Jr. became the actor in the family.
What did Maudie Marian Baer say about Max Baer?
In 2025, Maudie remembered her father taking groups of Sacramento schoolchildren swimming. She described him as someone who loved children and wanted them to enjoy life.
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