Josephine Burge is best known as the second wife of British actor Oliver Reed, whose performances in Oliver!, Women in Love, The Devils and Gladiator made him a memorable figure in British cinema. Their marriage began in 1985 and lasted until Reed’s sudden death in Malta in 1999. Although her husband attracted considerable attention for his acting and unconventional lifestyle, Burge maintained a comparatively private life. Her story is closely connected to Reed’s later career, their years in the Irish countryside and the circumstances surrounding his final film.
Who Is Josephine Burge?
Josephine Burge, also known as Josephine Reed during her marriage, became a familiar name in British entertainment coverage through her relationship with Oliver Reed. She was 21 when she married the actor in September 1985, following a relationship that had begun approximately five years earlier.
Reed was already an established film star when the couple met. Their substantial age difference attracted attention in the British press, particularly because Burge had been a teenager at the beginning of their relationship.
The couple subsequently lived in England before relocating to County Cork, Ireland, where Reed spent the final years of his life. Burge remained his wife until his death on May 2, 1999.
Josephine Burge: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Josephine Burge |
| Also known as | Josephine Reed, Josie |
| Known for | Marriage to British actor Oliver Reed |
| Approximate birth year | 1964 |
| Age at marriage | 21 |
| Marriage date | September 7, 1985 |
| Wedding location | Epsom, Surrey, England |
| Husband | Oliver Reed (1938–1999) |
| Years married | 1985–1999 |
| Former residence | Churchtown, County Cork, Ireland |
Josephine Burge’s Early Life and Background
Josephine Burge was born around 1964, based on contemporary newspaper coverage identifying her as 21 years old at the time of her wedding in 1985.
Her early life preceded her association with the entertainment industry. Unlike Reed, who had spent decades appearing in films and giving interviews, Burge had no established career as a celebrity before their relationship became known.
Her exact date of birth, education and detailed family background have not been reliably established in major contemporary publications.
Her relationship with Reed brought her into a world of film premieres, newspaper coverage and international travel. Photographs taken in New York around 1981 show the couple together several years before their wedding.
How Did Josephine Burge Meet Oliver Reed?
Josephine Burge and Oliver Reed began their relationship around 1980. At the time, she was approximately 16 and Reed was in his early forties.
Their relationship lasted for five years before they married. Contemporary coverage of their wedding specifically mentioned their age difference and the criticism their relationship had received.
Reed was a prominent British actor whose career included collaborations with directors Ken Russell and Richard Lester. His professional achievements were frequently accompanied by newspaper stories about his drinking and confrontational public appearances.
By the time he married Burge, he had already appeared in some of the films that would define his career.
Their Wedding in September 1985
Josephine Burge and Oliver Reed married on September 7, 1985, in a civil ceremony at Epsom Register Office in Surrey, England.
The ceremony lasted approximately ten minutes. Reed was 46 and Burge was 21.
Speaking to journalists after the wedding, Reed described their marriage as the culmination of their five-year relationship and addressed the criticism they had received.
Their wedding marked Reed’s second marriage. His first wife was Kate Byrne, with whom he had a son, Mark. Reed also had a daughter, Sarah, from his relationship with dancer Jacquie Daryl.
Life in Ireland with Oliver Reed
In 1993, Josephine and Oliver Reed moved to Churchtown, a village near Mallow in County Cork, Ireland. They purchased Castle McCarthy, a Georgian house surrounded by approximately 17 acres of land.
The move gave Reed a home away from London’s entertainment industry. He became a familiar figure in the local community, particularly in the village’s pubs, where he spent time with friends and neighbours.
The couple’s Irish residence became an important part of Reed’s later life. Although he continued acting, Ireland was his home during his final six years.
Oliver Reed’s Final Film and Sudden Death
In 1999, Oliver Reed travelled to Malta to film Ridley Scott’s historical epic Gladiator, starring Russell Crowe. Reed played Proximo, a former gladiator who trained fighters and became an important figure in the story.
On May 2, 1999, Reed suffered a fatal heart attack in a bar in Valletta, Malta. He was 61 years old.
Josephine was with him at the bar when he became ill. His death occurred before he had completed all his scenes for Gladiator. The production subsequently used visual effects and other filmmaking techniques to finish his role.
The film was released in 2000 and became one of Reed’s most widely recognised final performances.
Oliver Reed’s Funeral in County Cork
Reed’s body was returned to Ireland, where his funeral took place on May 15, 1999, at St James’s Church in Mallow.
Josephine attended alongside Reed’s children, Mark and Sarah, other family members and friends. Hundreds of mourners attended the service, while a much larger crowd gathered outside.
Reed was buried in Churchtown Cemetery, near the Irish village where he and Josephine had made their home. His funeral brought together his family, local community and friends from the entertainment industry.
What Happened to Josephine Burge After Oliver Reed’s Death?
Following Reed’s death, Josephine largely disappeared from mainstream entertainment coverage. Her life after 1999 has received considerably less attention than her years with the actor.
She has not maintained a prominent public career connected to Reed’s films or his celebrity status. Details of her present residence, professional activities and personal finances are not established by the contemporary reporting used for this biography.
Her connection to Reed remains part of the historical record of his later years, particularly his marriage, move to Ireland and death during the production of Gladiator.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Josephine Burge?
Josephine Burge is the second wife and widow of British actor Oliver Reed. They married in September 1985 and remained together until his death in May 1999.
2. How old was Josephine Burge when she married Oliver Reed?
She was 21 years old when she married Reed in 1985. Her approximate birth year is 1964.
3. Did Josephine Burge and Oliver Reed have children together?
There is no established record of the couple having children together. Reed had two children, Mark and Sarah, from earlier relationships.
4. Where did Josephine Burge and Oliver Reed live?
The couple lived in England before moving to Churchtown in County Cork, Ireland, in 1993. Their Irish home was a Georgian property known as Castle McCarthy.
5. Was Josephine Burge with Oliver Reed when he died?
Yes. Contemporary newspaper coverage placed Josephine with Reed at the bar in Valletta, Malta, where he suffered his fatal heart attack on May 2, 1999.
6. What was Josephine Burge’s relationship with the film Gladiator?
Josephine had no documented role in the film’s production. Her connection to Gladiator comes through her husband, Oliver Reed, who was filming his role as Proximo when he died in 1999.
Conclusion
Josephine Burge was married to Oliver Reed for nearly fourteen years, sharing his later life in England and Ireland. Their relationship, 1985 wedding and years in County Cork form an important part of the actor’s personal history. While Reed’s films and public behaviour attracted international attention, Burge maintained a life largely outside the entertainment industry. Her place in his biography is most clearly documented through their marriage, their Irish home and the events surrounding his death in 1999.
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