In celebration of how great Mickey and Minnie Mouse are, let’s take a look at some of the many, many interesting facts about two of Mr. Walt Disney’s timeless creations.
- Though Mickey and Minnie have never been married onscreen, Walt Disney said in a 1933 interview that “in private life, Mickey is married to Minnie.”
2. The woman who voiced Minnie, Russi Taylor, married the man who voiced Mickey, Wayne Allwine, in 1991. They were married until Wayne’s death in 2009.
3. The first time Minnie appeared alongside Mickey was in 1929 short called “Plane Crazy.” In it, Mickey invites Minnie along for a ride in his plane. When he kisses her mid-flight, she parachutes out of the plane.
4. When Walt Disney created Mickey Mouse, his original name was going to be Mortimer Mouse. But, Disney’s wife, Lillian, didn’t think it worked for his character and that he wouldn’t appeal to fans. Disney went back to the drawing board and the name Mickey was received with better reception. Mortimer was later used to name another character, who ended up becoming Mickey’s rival and Minnie’s uncle.
5. Minnie is an unofficial Disney princess. In fact, Mickey once said to her: “Gosh, Minnie, you’ve always been a princess to me.”
6. Minnie Mouse was originally created to be similar to a 1920s flapper girl, a popular and progressive style at the time. Instead of her signature red color, Minnie started out wearing a blue skirt with her underwear sticking out, as well as a hat with a flower. In the 40s, she was redesigned into the sweet lady we know and love today. Her hat was replaced by her signature bow.
7. Minnie parents were farmers. Her father’s name is Marcus and her mother doesn’t have a name.
8. Minnie’s most well-known pet is Figaro, the kitten from Pinocchio. Figaro was Walt Disney’s favorite character in Pinocchio and he wanted to use the character more. Walt made Figaro Minnie’s pet, replacing Fifi’s appearances in Minnie’s cartoons.
9. Minnie starred in Totally Minnie in 1988. This was a musical TV special with Suzanne Sommers as the host and guest appearances by Mickey Mouse, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto. In this TV show, Minnie sang a duet with Elton John and the song was ‘Don’t Go Breakin My Heart.’
10. The first time Mickey referred to Minnie as his girlfriend was through song in 1929’s Mickey’s Follies where he sang that he “got a sweetie…she’s my little Minnie Mouse.”