Quick Facts About Susan Marie Gardner
- Full Name: Susan Marie Gardner
- Nickname: Miss Sue (given by Tiny Tim)
- Born: February 2, 1958, Leominster, Massachusetts
- Died: July 3, 2013 (age 55)
- Known For: Third wife of musician Tiny Tim
- Marriage: August 18, 1995 – November 30, 1996 (Tiny Tim’s death)
Susan Marie Gardner was the third and final wife of the eccentric American musician Tiny Tim, born Herbert Butros Khaury. Known affectionately as “Miss Sue” — a nickname Tiny Tim gave her — she was a woman whose devotion to the falsetto-voiced entertainer began in childhood and lasted the rest of her life. Though their marriage was brief, spanning just over fifteen months before Tiny Tim’s sudden death, Susan’s love for him was anything but fleeting. She passed away on July 3, 2013, at the age of 55, leaving behind a quiet but meaningful story of loyalty and companionship.
Who Was Susan Marie Gardner?
Susan Marie Gardner was born on February 2, 1958, in Leominster, Massachusetts, a small city in the north-central part of the state. Details about her early family life and upbringing remain largely private, but one fact about her childhood stood out above all else: she became a devoted fan of Tiny Tim when she was just twelve years old.
At a time when Tiny Tim was at the height of his fame — riding the success of his 1968 hit “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” and his televised wedding to Miss Vicki on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson — young Susan was captivated. That early admiration never faded. While most childhood fascinations come and go, Susan’s appreciation for Tiny Tim’s unusual artistry and gentle personality only deepened over the years.
Susan Marie Gardner and Tiny Tim
How Did Susan Meet Tiny Tim?
Susan’s path from fan to wife unfolded gradually. After years of following Tiny Tim’s career, she eventually had the chance to meet him in person. By the early 1990s, Tiny Tim’s days of mainstream stardom were well behind him, but he continued to perform regularly at small venues, county fairs, and private events across the country. It was through this circuit of appearances that Susan and Tiny Tim crossed paths.
Their connection was genuine. Tiny Tim, who had been married twice before — first to Victoria May Budinger (“Miss Vicki”) from 1969 to 1977, and then briefly to Jan Alweiss in 1984 — found in Susan a companion who understood and accepted him completely. She wasn’t drawn to fame or spectacle; she was drawn to the man himself. He responded warmly, giving her the affectionate nickname “Miss Sue,” a nod to his fondness for old-fashioned courtesy.
When Did They Get Married?
Susan Marie Gardner and Tiny Tim married on August 18, 1995. The ceremony was a modest affair, a far cry from the spectacle of Tiny Tim’s first wedding, which had drawn an estimated 40 million television viewers in 1969. By 1995, Tiny Tim was 62 years old and had dealt with serious health problems, including a heart attack in 1988 that doctors warned could be fatal if he didn’t change his lifestyle. Susan stood by him through it all, fully aware that his health was fragile.
Their marriage, though short in duration, was by many accounts a happy one. Susan provided Tiny Tim with steady companionship and care during a period when his health was declining and his performing schedule remained relentless.
Tiny Tim’s Death
On November 30, 1996, Tiny Tim collapsed on stage while performing “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” at a benefit concert for the Women’s Club of Minneapolis at the Bayfront Hilton. He had suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 64 years old.
Susan had been married to him for just fifteen months. The loss was devastating. Tiny Tim had been warned repeatedly by his doctors to slow down, but performing was his lifeblood, and he had refused to stop. Susan, who had watched him push through health scares before, was left to grieve a husband who died doing the one thing he loved most.
His death marked the end of one of popular music’s most singular careers — and the end of a marriage that, despite its brevity, had been built on decades of genuine affection.
Susan Marie Gardner’s Later Years
After Tiny Tim’s passing, Susan Marie Gardner lived a quiet, private life. She largely stayed out of the public eye, choosing not to seek attention or capitalize on her connection to a famous husband. While Tiny Tim’s legacy continued to attract interest from music historians, documentary filmmakers, and nostalgic fans, Susan preferred to keep her memories to herself.
She remained in the background as various tributes and retrospectives about Tiny Tim appeared over the years. Her silence wasn’t indifference — it was the choice of a private person who had loved someone very public.
Susan Marie Gardner died on July 3, 2013, at the age of 55. The cause of her death was not widely reported. She had outlived her husband by nearly seventeen years, carrying with her a bond that began when she was a twelve-year-old girl watching a strange and wonderful man sing in a high, trembling voice on her television screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Susan Marie Gardner?
Susan Marie Gardner (1958–2013) was the third and final wife of American musician Tiny Tim, born Herbert Butros Khaury. She had been a fan of Tiny Tim since she was twelve years old and eventually married him on August 18, 1995. He affectionately called her “Miss Sue.”
When did Susan Marie Gardner die?
Susan Marie Gardner died on July 3, 2013, at the age of 55. She had outlived her husband Tiny Tim by nearly seventeen years.
How long were Susan Marie Gardner and Tiny Tim married?
Susan and Tiny Tim were married for approximately fifteen months. They wed on August 18, 1995, and Tiny Tim died on November 30, 1996, after suffering a heart attack on stage during a benefit concert in Minneapolis.
