Many people know O.J. Simpson as a famous football player, actor, and someone who was often in the news. But not many people know he had a youngest daughter named Aaren Simpson. Her name is not often seen in newspapers or on TV. In fact, some fans of O.J. may not even know she was part of his family.
Aaren Simpson’s story is not about fame or being rich. It’s about a little girl who sadly passed away at a very young age. She was still a baby when she died. Her story is quiet, but it touches the heart. Want to learn more? Keep reading!
In this article, we’ll discuss everything we know about Aaren Simpson—her early days, her family, how she died, and how her loss changed her family forever. So, let’s get started!
Quick Facts About Aaren Simpson
📛 Full Name: Aaren Lashone Simpson
🎂 Date of Birth: September 24, 1977
🗓️ Date of Death: August 26, 1979
🧒 Age at Death: 23 months (almost 2 years old)
📍 Birthplace: California, United States
👨👩👧 Parents: O.J. Simpson & Marguerite Whitley
👧 Siblings: Arnelle Simpson, Jason Simpson, Sydney Simpson, Justin Simpson
🏡 Family Home: Los Angeles, California
🛏️ Place of Death: UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles
⚰️ Burial Place: Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, CA
💔 Cause of Death: Drowning (respiratory failure)
🍼 Known For: Being the youngest daughter of O.J. Simpson
Aaren Simpson’s Early Life and Family
Aaren Simpson was born in California, USA, on September 24, 1977. She was the youngest daughter of O.J. Simpson and his first wife, Marguerite Whitley. At the time of her birth, her father was one of the biggest names in American sports. He was an NFL star and was starting to appear in movies and on TV.
Aaren had two older siblings—Arnelle Simpson, born in 1968, and Jason Simpson, born in 1970. Aaren was the baby of the family and was very loved. Her family often said she was a sweet and happy child who brought joy to their home.
O.J. and Marguerite tried to give their children a good and safe life, but with growing fame, things were not always easy. The family was in the spotlight, and balancing personal life with public pressure was hard. Still, they loved their children deeply and did their best to protect them.
O.J. Simpson and Marguerite Whitley’s Marriage
O.J. Simpson and Marguerite Whitley had a long relationship. Just like Kaynette Williams and Blake Shelton, they were high school sweethearts. According to reports, they met through O.J.’s best friend, Al Cowlings, who was dating Marguerite at the time. Later, O.J. and Marguerite fell in love and got married on June 24, 1967, when O.J. was just 19 years old.
They had three children together—Arnelle, Jason, and Aaren. For a while, they seemed like a strong and happy family. But as O.J.’s fame grew, their marriage started to suffer. He was busy with football, acting, and media work. Marguerite stayed home and took care of the kids.
As per several interviews, their marriage faced many ups and downs. By March 1979, after 11 years of marriage, they got divorced. This happened just five months before Aaren Simpson’s tragic accident, adding even more sadness to that time.
Family Life at Home Before the Accident
Before the accident, Aaren Simpson’s life at home was joyful and happy. Her mother, Marguerite, was the main caregiver of her and her two older siblings, Arnelle and Jason. She was always there for them. Their father, O.J. Simpson, was often busy with football and acting, so he was away a lot.
Even though O.J. and Marguerite were having problems in their marriage and started living separate lives, they both still loved their kids very much. Aaren was the youngest, so she got a lot of love and attention. She was a happy and playful baby, and her laugh made everyone smile.
The Simpson family was living in Los Angeles, in a house with a backyard pool. Many famous people had pools like that. But sadly, no one knew that the pool would one day become so dangerous for their little girl.
The Day Everything Changed
On August 18, 1979, something terrible happened. Aaren Simpson, just 23 months old, fell into the family’s swimming pool. No one saw it happen right away. By the time she was found, she was unconscious and not breathing.
According to The New York Times and other sources, paramedics were called immediately. When they arrived, they found Aaren lying near the pool. They tried to save her by giving her CPR. It worked, and they managed to bring her back for a short time.
She was then rushed to UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. Doctors placed her on life support. For eight long days, her family hoped for a miracle. Sadly, her condition did not improve. She stayed in a coma the entire time.
Aaren Simpson’s Death and Cause
On August 26, 1979, Aaren Simpson passed away. Her cause of death was officially listed as respiratory failure caused by drowning. She died just one month before her second birthday.
It was a shocking and heartbreaking moment for the Simpson family. O.J. Simpson never spoke much about Aaren’s death in public. In a 2004 interview with NBC’s Today Show, he said,
“I never have. You know, I don’t want to discuss it… It was a tremendous loss.”
Her death didn’t make big headlines because the family chose to grieve privately. But Aaren’s passing left a deep and lasting sadness for those who knew her.
Aaren Simpson’s Funeral and Burial
The funeral for Aaren Simpson was a quiet and private event. Only close family and friends were invited. She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California, where many other well-known names have been laid to rest.
Instead of flowers, the Simpson family asked for donations to the UCLA Cancer Research Center in Aaren’s name. It was their way of doing something good in her memory.
After the funeral, O.J. Simpson made a short public statement, thanking everyone who sent prayers, cards, and kind words. He said that the support helped their family during the hardest time of their lives.
How Old Was Aaren When She Passed Away?
At the time of her death, Aaren Simpson was just 23 months old. She had not even turned two. Her second birthday would have been on September 24, 1979—just a few weeks after she passed away.
She lived a short life, but one filled with love. Losing someone so young is always painful. For O.J., Marguerite, and her siblings, Aaren’s death was a moment they would never forget. Her memory, even now in 2025, remains a soft, silent part of the Simpson family story.
How Her Death Affected O.J. and Marguerite
The death of Aaren Simpson had a deep and painful effect on both of her parents. Even though O.J. Simpson and Marguerite Whitley had divorced five months before her passing, they came together in grief to say goodbye to their daughter. The loss was something neither of them expected nor could prepare for.
According to O.J.’s 2004 interview with NBC’s Today Show, he said, “We never talked about it.” This short sentence showed just how hard it was for both of them to face what had happened. It wasn’t something they could easily speak about, even years later.
Marguerite kept her feelings private. She stayed away from media interviews and lived a quiet life. As per ABC News, during O.J.’s later legal battles, Marguerite said that O.J. had never hurt her physically, but she didn’t often speak about Aaren’s death. It was clearly a pain that stayed in her heart, quietly.
How Aaren’s Death Affected Her Siblings’ Lives
At the time of the tragedy, Arnelle Simpson was 11 years old and Jason Simpson was just 9. Losing their little sister was heartbreaking. Arnelle, being the oldest, tried to be strong for the family. She later said in interviews that her father was her “rock,” and she stood by him during many public challenges.
Jason was more private. According to a 2021 podcast interview (The Food That Binds), he talked about staying away from the spotlight because of the pressure around his last name. He didn’t speak directly about Aaren, but it’s easy to imagine how the loss of his baby sister affected him.
Growing up with such a public family made grieving even harder. The world saw them as part of O.J. Simpson’s famous life, but behind the scenes, they were still just a family dealing with deep pain.
O.J. Simpson’s Life After Aaren’s Death
After the loss of Aaren Simpson, O.J.’s life continued but was filled with many ups and downs. In 1985, he married Nicole Brown Simpson, and together they had two children: Sydney and Justin Simpson. But their relationship had many problems and ended in divorce in 1992.
Just two years later, in 1994, Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman were found murdered. O.J. was arrested and charged. The case became one of the most famous trials in American history. In 1995, he was found not guilty in criminal court, but in 1997, a civil court found him responsible and ordered him to pay millions in damages.
O.J.’s troubles didn’t stop there. In 2008, he was jailed for robbery and kidnapping in Las Vegas. He was released in 2017 after serving nine years. He lived quietly after that and passed away from cancer in 2024, at the age of 76.
Aaren’s Story and Water Safety Awareness
The death of Aaren Simpson became a powerful reminder about child safety. It showed how even a few seconds of distraction can lead to a terrible accident. The news shook many families, and her story helped raise awareness about pool safety.
As per safety experts and child health groups like Safe Kids Worldwide, drowning is one of the top causes of death in young children. Cases like Aaren’s push parents to add pool fences, keep eyes on their kids at all times, and teach swimming at a young age.
Even though Aaren’s name is not widely known, her story has helped bring more attention to the importance of protecting children around water. Her memory, in this way, continues to make a difference.
Final Thoughts
Aaren Simpson lived for only 23 months, but her life will always be remembered. Her story is soft and sad, but it is also true. It shows us that even famous families go through pain.
Her story is not about being famous. It’s about love and loss, and how important it is to care for the people we love while they are with us. It also reminds parents to be careful with young children around water and always to keep them safe. We hope you find this article helpful!
(FAQs)
How did Aaren Simpson die?
Aaren Simpson died after falling into her family’s swimming pool. She was put on life support but sadly passed away from breathing failure caused by drowning.
Where is Aaren Simpson’s grave?
Aaren Simpson is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
What was Aaren Simpson’s cause of death?
The official cause of death was respiratory failure due to drowning. She stayed in a coma for eight days before passing away.
How old was Aaren Simpson when she died?
Aaren Simpson was just 23 months old—she passed away one month before her second birthday.
Where are Aaren Simpson’s parents now?
Her mother, Marguerite Whitley, lives a private life away from the public. Her father, O.J. Simpson, passed away in 2024 after battling cancer.
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