What Happened to Claudine Georgette Longet?
Claudine Longet was a Franco-American singer, actress, and dancer who rose to prominence in the 1960s, notably through her marriage to Andy Williams. Her career was overshadowed by the 1976 shooting death of her boyfriend, Olympic skier Spider Sabich, for which she was convicted of negligent homicide. Longet subsequently withdrew from public life, maintaining a private existence until her death on May 14, 2026, at the age of 84.
Quick Answer
Claudine Longet, the French-American singer and actress, is best known for her 1960s entertainment career and the controversial 1976 shooting death of her boyfriend, Olympic skier Spider Sabich. She was convicted of negligent homicide and subsequently retreated from the public eye. Longet maintained a private life, reportedly living in Aspen and later Hawaii with her second husband, Ronald D. Austin, until her death on May 14, 2026, at the age of 84.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Born in Paris, France
Claudine Georgette Longet was born in Paris, France.
Met Andy Williams in Las Vegas
While dancing in the Folies Bergère revue in Las Vegas, Longet met American singer Andy Williams when he stopped to offer assistance with her broken-down car.
Married Andy Williams
Claudine Longet married Andy Williams in Los Angeles, beginning a high-profile marriage that lasted over a decade.
Released Debut Gold Album 'Claudine'
Longet released her debut album, 'Claudine,' which peaked at number 11 on the Billboard pop albums chart in the U.S. and became a RIAA-certified gold album.
Co-starred in 'The Party'
Longet co-starred with Peter Sellers in the Blake Edwards film 'The Party,' where she also performed the song 'Nothing to Lose.'
Divorced Andy Williams
After separating in 1970, Longet and Williams finalized their divorce, though they reportedly remained good friends.
Spider Sabich Shooting
Longet shot and killed her boyfriend, Olympic skier Vladimir 'Spider' Sabich, at his home in Aspen, Colorado. She claimed the shooting was accidental.
Convicted of Negligent Homicide
Longet was convicted of misdemeanor negligent homicide and sentenced to 30 days in jail (served on weekends) and a $250 fine, a verdict that sparked public controversy.
Settled Civil Suit and Withdrew from Public Life
The Sabich family's civil wrongful death suit against Longet was settled out of court with a confidentiality clause. Longet subsequently retreated from the public eye.
Married Ronald D. Austin
Longet married her defense attorney from the Sabich trial, Ronald D. Austin, after he divorced his previous wife.
Reported Move to Hawaii
Reports indicated that Claudine Longet and Ronald D. Austin had listed their Aspen property for sale and relocated to Hawaii.
Death of Claudine Longet
Claudine Longet passed away at the age of 84. Her death was reported by her nephew, Bryan Longet.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Claudine Georgette Longet was born in Paris, France, on January 29, 1942. She began her career as a dancer in the Folies Bergère revue in Las Vegas, where she met American singer Andy Williams in 1960. They married on December 15, 1961, and Longet became a frequent guest on "The Andy Williams Show," launching her own successful singing career with hits like her debut album "Claudine" in 1967, which went gold. She also ventured into acting, notably co-starring with Peter Sellers in the 1968 film "The Party."
Longet and Williams divorced in January 1975, though they remained friends. Less than two years later, on March 21, 1976, Longet's life took a dramatic turn when she shot and killed her boyfriend, Olympic skier Vladimir 'Spider' Sabich, at his home in Aspen, Colorado. Longet claimed the .22 caliber pistol accidentally discharged as Sabich was showing her how it worked. However, the prosecution suggested Sabich was bent over and facing away when shot, inconsistent with her account.
The subsequent trial garnered significant media attention. The prosecution's case was hampered by procedural errors made by local police, including taking a blood sample and seizing Longet's diary without warrants, and mishandling the firearm. These errors led to the inadmissibility of potentially damaging evidence, such as traces of cocaine in her blood and diary entries that reportedly contradicted her claims about her relationship with Sabich. Andy Williams publicly supported Longet throughout the trial.
On January 31, 1977, Longet was convicted of the lesser charge of misdemeanor negligent homicide, avoiding a more serious manslaughter conviction. She received a lenient sentence of 30 days in jail, which she was permitted to serve on weekends, and a $250 fine. This verdict and sentence sparked widespread public outrage, especially when she was seen vacationing in Mexico with her defense attorney, Ronald D. Austin, who was married at the time. The Sabich family later filed a civil wrongful death suit, which was settled out of court with a confidentiality agreement prohibiting Longet from discussing the case or settlement.
Longet married Ronald D. Austin in 1985. Following the trial, she largely withdrew from the entertainment industry and public life, maintaining a strict private profile since 1977. For many years, she and Austin resided in Aspen, Colorado, the same town where the tragic incident occurred, despite facing some community disapproval. As of January 2024, reports indicated that Longet and Austin had listed their Aspen property for sale and moved to Hawaii. On May 14, 2026, Claudine Longet passed away at the age of 84.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Claudine Georgette Longet made different choices?