Quick Facts
Biography
Madeleine Bemelmans (born Madeleine Freund) was an animal rights activist and the wife of Ludwig Bemelmans, who wrote and illustrated the Madeline series of children's picture book series. The two were married in 1935 and Ludwig named the star of his books after his wife. (The change in spelling fostered frequent mis-spelling of his wife's name.)
Medeleine Bemelmans was a dedicated participant in founding the Animal Welfare Institute in 1951. She served as a long-time board member of the Society for Animal Protective Legislation and as the president of that organization for a time.
Bemelmans died in 2004. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara, and three grandsons.
Madeline Bemelmans edited a collection of her husband's work published by Viking in 1985, Tell Them It Was Wonderful: Selected Writings.
Madeline and Barbara Bemelmans are credited for three Ravensburger jigsaw puzzles for very young children —Madeline (1991) and Madeline at the street fair (1995), Madeline dress-up (1997)— and one board game, Madeline's house (1995).