Margie Smith

April 2025 Issue

by Edwina Hoyle
Photography (top) by Cassidy Dunn Photography

Tennis brought Margie and Stan Smith together. At age 13, Margie was a ball girl at a tennis championship that Stan had just won. He was 17. After the match, Margie told her mother, “Stan Smith will never notice me. Mother was very prophetic. She told me, ‘Wait five years ‘til your 18th birthday.’ On my 18th birthday, Stan asked me out!”

Stan and Margie have been married for 50 years. “I guess being married 50 years is a long time, and 50 seems like a big number. But looking back, it doesn’t seem that long. A marriage goes through different stages, and it’s important to communicate and try to understand the other person’s point of view. There’s a saying about walking in another’s moccasins. We’ve stayed married because we were in it for the long haul, and happily so. Besides, it’s too late for a divorce,” she joked.

When Stan was playing tennis competitively, he had commitments with his sponsor, Adidas, to travel. He had an opportunity to go to Japan, and Margie wanted to go but by this time they had children. This is when Margie learned about the concept of homeschooling from another woman and did some research to learn how to start. Her original plan was to homeschool for a year so the family could travel with Stan.

“This was 35 years ago, and there weren’t many options. I chose the Calvert Curriculum because I liked classical curriculums. They would send each grade in a box that contained everything I would need – even the tablets and pencils. After one year, I loved the flexibility.” For 13 years, Margie homeschooled all four children, two boys and two girls, through elementary and middle school grades.

“If a child is an athlete or has another passion, homeschooling frees up time for things like sports or the piano. There is so much wasted time in schools. At home, lessons can be finished by noon or one o’clock. And the child can learn at their own pace,” Margie explained.

This experience prepared Margie well for her volunteer work at the Boys and Girls Club of Hilton Head Island, where she spends four afternoons each week tutoring children. “We are both very committed to the youth of the Island,” Margie said. “Stan led the capital campaign to raise money to build the Boys and Girls Club, and he still serves on the board. I was on their board for a while, but found I’d rather work with the kids as a tutor. I also co-chair our annual gala, which is our major fundraiser. I am very busy.”

Every year in June, Margie and Stan attend The Championships at Wimbledon in London. “Stan is invited because he is a past winner in the Men’s Final,” Margie said. For about 10 years, their seats have been in the Royal Box, usually right behind the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, who brought Princess Charlotte along this year.

“Kate always walks in and says, ‘Hi, Stan.’ After the matches, we are invited to have tea behind the Royal Box. This year, Wimbledon was her first public appearance after her cancer diagnosis. Kate is a very good tennis player, and she made a video with Roger Federer to help ball carriers. She always goes out of her way to be friendly, and it’s very special to be in the Royal Box. This year, Tom Cruise and Julia Roberts were behind us. Stan has a crush on Julia Roberts but didn’t see her. He was very sad,” Margie laughed. “And about 40 years ago, Katharine, the Duchess of Kent, invited them, and Princess Diana and her son, William, attended.

Stan isn’t the only tennis titleholder in the family, however. Margie attended Princeton University as a member of the first class of women in the history of the University. “The men embraced me as a tennis player, and I felt I was given the respect that everyone deserved. I was the first team captain to be undefeated; I got a white letter sweater that meant I was an undefeated team captain. I like to think that being first paved the way for other women.” As an undergrad, Margie also competed at Wimbledon.

“Faith, family and friends are the important things in my life,” she said. Margie also loves her home on Hilton Head Island in Spanish Wells, which she and Stan built in 1986. “We were one of the first families there with kids. We love Hilton Head. There are so many things here all in one place. The Arts Center is great, restaurants are great. And there are so many organizations where people can volunteer and make a difference. Hilton Head is the whole package.”

Up Close:

• Margie still plays tennis twice a week for fun and plays golf off and on, too. She also loves to read and work out.

• Tennis great, Stan Smith, who has won the US Open and Wimbledon, was ranked No.1 in the world in the early 1970s.

• Margie grew up with two brothers and four sisters. She exclaimed, “I like chaos!” That’s a good thing because Margie and Stan have 17 grandchildren, who all visit at at the end of every summer and at Christmastime. “We have five bedrooms, and every corner of the house has a child. It’s a challenge, but I love to be with our grandchildren.”