Josephine Burge is a name that appears in public records for more than one person. That creates confusion, so this article pulls together the clear, important facts and separates the most public figures who share the name. Read only the main points below — fast, factual, and easy to scan.
Biography of Josephine Burge
| Full Name | Josephine Burge |
|---|---|
| Famous For | Being the wife of British actor Oliver Reed |
| Date of Birth | 1964 (approximate, based on media reports) |
| Age (as of 2025) | Around 61 years |
| Place of Birth | United Kingdom |
| Nationality | British |
| Marital Status | Married Oliver Reed (1985) |
| Spouse | Oliver Reed (actor) |
| Known Relationship Timeline | Together during the 1980s until Reed’s death in 1999 |
| Profession | Not publicly known; largely private life |
| Children | Not publicly disclosed |
| Net Worth (Estimated) | Around $1 Million (largely from shared assets and estate value) |
| Notable For | Her marriage and public appearances with Oliver Reed |
| Current Status | Lives a private life away from media spotlight |
Quick summary
Josephine Burge is best known in public sources in two distinct ways:
- As the young woman who married British actor Oliver Reed in 1985 (widely photographed and reported).
- As at least one other private individual who appears in obituary records under the same name (different life details and dates).
If you searched the name expecting one single person, start here: make sure you match dates or locations to identify which Josephine Burge you mean.
The widely reported public figure: partner and later wife of Oliver Reed
- What happened: Actor Oliver Reed and Josephine Burge were married in a brief civil ceremony in Epsom, England, on September 7, 1985. The press covered the wedding and their relationship.
- Age detail often cited: Contemporary reporting noted a significant age gap — Reed was 46 and Josephine Burge was reported as 21 at the time. That age gap is the reason many historical accounts single out this marriage.
- Photographic record: Professional archives and image services hold multiple photos of Oliver Reed and Josephine Burge, showing them together in public and at events across the 1980s. These images are frequently used in retrospectives and media galleries.
- How this matters: When people search Josephine Burge they most often see results tied to Oliver Reed because that relationship received international press coverage and is well documented in photo archives.
Timeline & essential facts
- Marriage: Married Oliver Reed on September 7, 1985 in Epsom, Surrey.
- Press coverage: Wedding and relationship reported by major outlets at the time; photos appear in Getty and other image archives.
- Age at marriage (reported): 21 (as published by contemporary reports).
- Archival sources: Photo and media licensing sites list several images under the name Josephine Burge related to the actor.
Other individuals named Josephine Burge
Not every search result points to the Oliver Reed connection. There are obituaries and local records for other women named Josephine Burge; these are separate people with their own dates and family details.
- Example 1: Josephine Elenor Burge, born March 16, 1934, died February 27, 2019 — funeral and tribute notices appear in family funeral home records. This is a different person from the woman linked to Oliver Reed.
- Example 2: Another obituary shows a Josephine Burge noted in Detroit, Michigan (published notices list a death in 2018). These local records confirm multiple, unrelated uses of the same name.
- How to avoid confusion: Always cross-check birth/death years, locations, and family names when confirming which Josephine Burge you are researching.
Public perception and why the name pops up
People remember short, striking facts. The combination of a famous partner (Oliver Reed), a large age gap, and prominent photos made Josephine Burge appear in many retrospectives about Reed’s life.
- Simple analogy: the way a single striking photograph can define a celebrity moment, the marriage anchored the name Josephine Burge to Reed in public memory.
- Practical takeaway: when you find the name in a media gallery, expect it to be linked to the actor; when you find it in local obituaries, expect a private life and different dates.
Real-life examples that clarify the difference
- Think of Josephine Burge like a common street name — the same label appears in different neighborhoods. One “address” is tabloid history (the actor’s wife), another is private — family notices and funeral pages.
- If you were building a small family tree, compare the dates and place first (birth year, death year, city). That single check usually resolves which Josephine Burge the record points to.
Short profile you can copy-paste
Use these depending on which person you mean:
- Public/media profile (Oliver Reed connection): Josephine Burge — married actor Oliver Reed in September 1985; widely photographed with Reed during the 1980s.
- Private/family profile: Josephine Elenor Burge — born March 16, 1934, died February 27, 2019 — obituary and family tribute published by St. Pierre funeral services (verify local notices for full details).
Quotes and context
- On public attention: “A single public moment can anchor a name in history,” as archives show with the images of Josephine Burge and Oliver Reed.
- On research: “Confirm dates and locations first; names repeat.” This is practical advice when multiple people share the same name — it saves time and reduces errors.
What to remember — quick checklist
- Match dates/places before assuming identity.
- Photos and press often point to the public figure (Oliver Reed connection).
- Obituaries usually indicate a different, private person with the same name.
Final thoughts
Josephine Burge is a name in multiple public records. The most visible association in media is her marriage to actor Oliver Reed in 1985, which created the bulk of searchable references and photos. Other uses of the name appear in family notices and obituaries and refer to different individuals. Always confirm dates and locations to be sure which Josephine Burge a source describes.
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