The Béliveaus: A love affair for the ages

posted by Dave Stubbs at 23h55 EST on Feb 13


jbcollage.jpg

Jean Béliveau and Élise Couture on their wedding day on June 27, 1953, and last week in their condominium.
Jean Béliveau Collection; Tyrel Featherstone, Gazette

The photograph from a family album shows Jean Béliveau slipping an engagement ring onto the finger of Élise Couture. It is Christmastime 1952 in Quebec City, a tinselled tree behind them.

This June 27, the couple will celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary. And it is hardly a measure of their marriage that, on this Valentine’s Day, neither recalls the details of Béliveau’s proposal to the woman who took his heart then and keeps it to this day.

“But we knew at our engagement that we’d be married the following June and then move to Montreal," the Hall of Famer says. "I told Élise that my dream was to play with the Canadiens. I told her then, ‘Now it’s time to go.’ ”

For more than a half-century, every time they’ve set foot outside their door, Jean and Élise Béliveau have belonged to the public. And hockey’s greatest ambassador and his wife have not missed a step, in sickness and in health.

Dave Stubbs profiles one of Quebec's most cherished couples; indeed, they're recognized around the world. Read the Gazette feature story, then learn of Béliveau's adventures as a 19-year-old, learning to drive as taught by Élise. And enjoy the audio slideshow on the couple's life together which we present at montrealgazette.com.




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A. Berke's picture
Submitted by A. Berke on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 18:53.
Blitzen mentioned in a post below that his father said that "there are, and likely will be, few players of his stature" That's exactly my sentiments. Happy Anniversary and Valentine's Day to Le Gros Bill and Mme. Elise Beliveau. By the same token Happy Valentine's Day to all. cheers, Ali B.

The Teacher's picture
Submitted by The Teacher on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 17:10.
That picture of Beliveau and the Rocket tugged at my heartstrings.

NightRyder's picture
Submitted by NightRyder on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 16:25.
Can't imagine big Jean getting arrested outside a nightclub, hmm?

habfan53's picture
Submitted by habfan53 on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 13:16.
I was at a charity dinner a few years ago and I had a picture of the Rocket and Jean together I was able to get both to autogaph it. What stuck me was that Jean said he would be honored to sign the same picture as the Rocket. He still holds or shares 7 team records

moser17's picture
Submitted by moser17 on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 13:09.
"And it is hardly a measure of their marriage that, on this Valentine’s Day, neither recalls the details of Béliveau’s proposal to the woman who took his heart then and keeps it to this day." Tell this to my good wife, recently to whom I lovingly recounted the words she said to me after proposing a few years ago, only to be sternly reminded that I was recalling the words of a friend's girlfriend on the occasion of *their* engagement, now defunct. In the proverbial doghouse was I.

showey47's picture
Submitted by showey47 on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 12:28.
I was honoured enough to meet and chat with mr. beliveau at a game last march when we beat the rangers 6-4. Also got my picture taken with him and signed my ticket stub. Class act all the way.

J.T.'s picture
Submitted by J.T. on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 12:48.
He is a wonderful, patient person, isn't he? He's got unfailing manners too. I read his autobiography some time ago, and afterwards wrote him a note to tell him I'd enjoyed it very much. I was never expecting a reply, but nevertheless, a couple of weeks later, I got a lovely handwritten letter in the mail, thanking me for my note. It's framed and hanging in my house now, as a reminder of what gentility and class are all about. http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com

Submitted by HabsFanInTampa on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 12:20.
I'm not much for sentimentalities or "Terms of Endearment" type stuff. But this was an incredibly nice feel-good article. Mr. Beliveau has AND always will be a class act. Spoiled and pampered athletes, on and off the ice, should take a valuable lesson or two from this gentleman.

Submitted by Peter Young on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 11:12.
Jean Beliveau played just like he lived--with consummate grace and elegance. He had style that equalled his substance--surpassing talent and skill. The picture of him I always summon in my mind has him skating full tilt with the puck down the middle of the ice but very erect and hardly seeming to exert himself. The year the Beliveaus married, 1953, was a very good year. The Canadiens won the Stanley Cup when they weren't expected to, their seventh, tying the Maple Leafs for the most Cups won. And then Beliveau finally signed with the Canadiens. And, if only important to me, one spring day in 1953, I landed in Montreal aboard the Empress of Australia, which had sailed from Liverpool in my native England, just in time to witness the Canadiens become the greatest NHL team of all-time. After Beliveau signed it was only a matter of time. Fifteen cups in the 26 seasons that followed, with Beliveau around for 10 of them. Happy Valentine's Day to the Beliveaus and congratulations on their wonderful marriage.

Naila Jinnah's picture
Submitted by Naila Jinnah on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 11:03.
Awwww... That's a great story! Thanks for telling it, Dave :) And Happy Valentine's Day to everyone on HIO!

24 Cups's picture
Submitted by 24 Cups on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 10:59.
Dave - You just played your ace card - there will never be another post about a Montreal Canadien that is as meaningful as Jean Beliveau. Thanks for this trip down memory lane on this special day of the year. The Original 24 Cups

Odie Cleghorn's picture
Submitted by Odie Cleghorn on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 10:32.
Le Gros Bill is the classiest, most humble, and without doubt the most professional player to ever wear the Canadiens jersey. Everything he did both on and off the ice reflects core values that are sadly lacking in today's society-love of family, love of life and an authentic love for all aspects of the game that provided him with his livelihood. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Beliveau...Happy Valentines Day!

Submitted by odber on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 10:26.
Great article,well done.

habsfan reduxit's picture
Submitted by habsfan reduxit on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 08:53.
... Jean Beliveau is and always has been, the class of the Habs - indeed, the class of the country. Canada was the big loser when he turned down the offer to be the Governor-General

TC's picture
Submitted by TC on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 06:53.
An excellent and very timely article Mr. Stubbs. I woke up this morning and was greeted with this wonderful story. I see that somebody posted that we could use another Beliveau right now. And while that would be true at any time for any hockey team, the fact is that there will never be another Beliveau. Players and more importantly people like him only come around once. T.C. tc.denault@habsworld.net

Robert L's picture
Submitted by Robert L on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 06:53.
Here's a little more about the Beliveau's. http://wwwrealitycheckeyesontheprize.blogspot.com/2007/03/i-shared-my-hu...

Woah_Dana's picture
Submitted by Woah_Dana on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 10:09.
Awesome. Wholesome women FTW!!!!!!11 Trophy Wives PWNED. Haha. GO HABS! ~Sergei Kostitsyn, marry me!!

Naila Jinnah's picture
Submitted by Naila Jinnah on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 11:03.
Hahahaha.

Woah_Dana's picture
Submitted by Woah_Dana on Fri, 02/15/2008 - 15:56.
Lol, I thought that was you posting. Your icons look too much alike. I'm glad you ended up seeing my comment. I need to look at names from now on, haha. GO HABS! ~Sergei Kostitsyn, marry me!!

Blitzen's picture
Submitted by Blitzen on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 06:51.
Le Gros Bill: consummate leader-by-example. Saw a thirty minute interview with him about 6 months ago and I wish it would have gone on for 2 hours. For a legend, he is such a simple man. Despite being quite young at the time, I still remember his 500th goal and my dad telling me that there are, and likely will be, few players of his stature. Years later, my dad is still right.

Chuck's picture
Submitted by Chuck on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 01:49.
Happy anniversary! Jean and Elise rock. 'Nuff said. Think of it... they were married 15 years before the laffs last Stanley Cup! . . . ______________________________________ "All bow down before the Komisaurus Rex!"

Habs-Kat's picture
Submitted by Habs-Kat on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 01:18.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! :)