Hank Williams Jr.’s Wife Mary Jane Died in Elective Surgery Accident
Mary Jane Thomas, who Hank Williams Jr. married in 1990, died due to complications of a plastic surgery procedure, according to the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s autopsy report. The official cause of death was ruled as “Pneumothorax due to perforated parietal pleura during liposuction with autologous fat reinjection procedure,” and is characterized in the autopsy report as an accident. She died on March 22nd, 2022.
The Medical Examiner determined that Mary Jane’s lung had been punctured by the surgeon during the elective procedure at Bafitis Plastic Surgery in Jupiter, Florida, and that the lung later collapsed while she was in recovery. The procedure was to transfer fat as part of a breast lift following breast implant removal.
Though after the surgery on March 21st, Mary Jane’s vitals were all normal and she was released from the facility at around 7:00 PM, the next day while recovering at the Jupiter Beach Resort and Spa, she became unresponsive. At around 5:00 PM, a call was made to authorities. Mary Jane was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead. The elective surgery procedure had been cleared by Mary Jane’s local physician prior.
Mary Jane Thomas was a native of Dayton Beach, Florida. After attending college, she became a model, and among other gigs, became known for her work with Hawaiian Tropic Lotion. Mary Jane met Hank Williams Jr. in 1985 after a concert in Washington State. They were together for five years before marrying on July 2nd, 1990 at the University Congregational Church in Missoula, Montana. It was Mary Jane’s first marriage, and Hank Jr.’s fourth.
In 2007, the couple announced they would seek a divorce after sixteen years of marriage, but later reconciled, and called off the annulment. Mary Jane preferred to remain out of the spotlight after the marriage, rarely appearing in red carpet engagements and other public functions, r appearing on social media posts from the family. However, Mary Jane Thomas did appear at Hank Jr.’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony on November 21st, 2021.
The couple had two children—Sam Williams, who is also a music performer, and Katherine Williams-Dunning, a.k.a. Katie, who passed away on June 13th, 2020 in a vehicle accident.
The death of Mary Jane Thomas was the latest tragedy in a string of unfortunate incidents for Hank Williams Jr.’s family, including the death of daughter Katie in 2020. Hank Jr.’s daughters Hilary and Holly Williams from his marriage to Becky White were both severely injured in an auto accident in 2006, with Hilary going into cardiac arrest and having to be flown by helicopter to the hospital.
July 26, 2022 @ 11:12 am
My condolences to the Williams and Thomas families. May she Rest In Peace.
July 26, 2022 @ 11:48 am
This is a major disaster and possible scandal.
Who’s the surgeon who performed the operation? Is it Dr. Harold Bafitis? A Google search shows that he seems to be fully credentialed, board certified etc.
But what exactly is Bafitis Plastic Surgery–Is it a big business with other doctors, in addition to Dr. Bafitis, performing surgeries. Authorities–and Mary Jane’s family–will want to know who’s the surgeon on the operation and was he fully qualified, and what’s his record?
July 26, 2022 @ 12:12 pm
I definitely think that the Williams family should sue over this situation, and there should be an investigation into this. They have an independent Medical Examiners report stating that she died due to complications from the medical procedure this facility performed.
I struggled a bit on whether I should report on this, or if it was a little too gossipy. But I think this is just the beginning of what could be a big fight by the Williams family. Mary Jane should still be alive and this most certainly was a preventable tragedy.
July 26, 2022 @ 6:14 pm
Electing to undergo an unnecessary surgery would certainly qualify as “preventable”.
July 26, 2022 @ 12:16 pm
Tanya Tucker had some really bad plastic surgery mishap a few years back. You can google search the story. Could be wrong, but im thinking it too may have been in Jupiter, Florida. Then there was the Joan Rivers death by plastic surgery. This stuff seems like a risky proposition all around.
I have no doubt attorneys are involved in this case. Medical malpractice anyone?
Awful story. That lead photo is heartbreaking. Only Sam and Hank remain.
July 26, 2022 @ 1:13 pm
No reason to struggle with the reporting of this. It has been posted multiple times on the good ole’ net.
And most of the posts “have” to include that she was a smoker and the autopsy reported other findings acute to alcholism. Why?
This is a tragedy. It is a shame. I hope proper action is taken.
July 26, 2022 @ 1:26 pm
“she was a smoker and the autopsy reported other findings acute to alcholism. Why?”
my hot take is that this is included to take into account that smoking and long term drinking may lead to post surgical complications, may interfere in being able to fight off infections, or any number of risks.
that does not mean jackasses don’t put it in to be lurid and torrid, like a gossip rag.
sad what happened to her and her daughter.
July 26, 2022 @ 1:40 pm
Agree jim bob.
July 26, 2022 @ 1:18 pm
Bafitis does not enjoy a stellar reputation.
Tragic.
i do not understand the rush to alter appearance for cosmetic sake, ala Kardashian/Real Housewives of … , etc.
If Mary elected to have this procedure to lift breasts, after having artificial implants taken out, as a woman, i do understand that.
Just wish she had sought out a more qualified surgeon, with sterling credentials.
This is Very sad.
Just throwing my two cents in, Trig.
But, perhaps, you just did an amazing service.
In the Amarillo area, cannot recommend Dr. Michael Lary, & Dr. Mary Ann Piskun, enough.
Stellar surgeons.
Stellar individuals.
July 26, 2022 @ 5:26 pm
I don’t know how Hank Jr. can keep taking so many gut punches. He’s had so much tragedy in his life, and most people that criticize him have most likely not bearer his burdens. think you posted this in a classy way, so I wouldn’t second guess it. Our society has become so screwed up due to people trying too hard to look perfect; I think it’s because of what we see on TV and the internet. We’ve become almost irrational creatures in the last 20 years.
July 27, 2022 @ 6:31 pm
Plastic surgery for purely cosmetic vanity is a mental illness of epic proportions. Love yourself for who you are and not how you want to perceive how you think others perceive you.
May 6, 2023 @ 3:39 pm
I know it’s a little on the lakeside but I was letting you know I’m so sorry to hear about your wife
August 12, 2023 @ 7:51 pm
God bless Ole Bocephous! I live in south Alabama and I have listened to all 3 Hanks for many many years, I think that they all have ,and had so much talent and stage presence! Jr. has sure seen more than his share of tragedy! Love ya buddy!
September 2, 2023 @ 5:37 am
My condolences to the Williams and Thomas families.