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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Historical

Anne Hathaway (Shakespeare)

Anne Hathaway (c.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Anne Hathaway (c. 1556 – 6 August 1623) was the wife of William Shakespeare. She is best known through her marriage to the playwright and is believed to have grown up in Shottery, near Stratford-upon-Avon.

What it is

Anne Hathaway is the historical figure known as the wife of William Shakespeare. She was born around 1556 in or near Shottery, Warwickshire, England. Very little documentary evidence survives about her early life beyond her family background and approximate birth year.

Key details

Anne married William Shakespeare in 1582, and she was pregnant at the time. The couple had three children: Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith. After Shakespeare spent long periods in London, Anne remained associated with Stratford-upon-Avon.

Death and burial

Anne Hathaway died on 6 August 1623, outliving William Shakespeare. She was buried in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Stratford-upon-Avon, near her husband.

In short

  • Anne Hathaway was the wife of William Shakespeare.
  • She married Shakespeare in 1582 and had three children.
  • She died on 6 August 1623 and is buried in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Quick questions

Who was Anne Hathaway Shakespeare?
Anne Hathaway was the wife of William Shakespeare. She is believed to have been born around 1556 and is best known through her marriage to the playwright.
How many children did Anne Hathaway have?
She had three children: Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith.
When did Anne Hathaway die?
She died on 6 August 1623.

Sources

  1. Pan Macmillanhttps://www.panmacmillan.com/blogs/history/anne-hathaway-shakespeares-wife
    Supports: Birth in 1556, marriage in 1582, children Susanna and the twins, and death on 6 August 1623.
  2. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Hathaway_(wife_of_Shakespeare)
    Supports: Approximate birth year, marriage, three children, residence in Shottery/Stratford-upon-Avon, and death/burial details.
  3. Marin Shakespeare Companyhttps://www.marinshakespeare.org/the-mystery-of-anne-hathaway/
    Supports: Shottery origin, marriage, three children, Shakespeare's move to London, and Anne's death seven years after Shakespeare.