- Born
- Birth nameRobert Duane Ballard
- Robert Ballard was born on June 30, 1942 in Wichita, Kansas, USA. He is a producer and director, known for SeaQuest 2032 (1993), The Search for Kennedy's PT 109 (2002) and National Geographic Explorer (1985). He has been married to Barbara Earle Ballard since January 12, 1991. They have two children. He was previously married to Marjorie Jacobsen.
- SpousesBarbara Earle Ballard(January 12, 1991 - present) (2 children)Marjorie Jacobsen(1966 - 1990) (divorced, 2 children)
- Most famous for the discoveries of the wrecks of the RMS Titanic in 1985, sunk 1912; the DKM Bismarck in 1989, sunk 1941; the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown in 1998, sunk 1941; and John F. Kennedy's PT-109 in 2002, sunk 1943.
- He is a former student and employee of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
- He has explored many under water shipwrecks including the Britannic (Titanic's sister ship), Isis (an ancient Greek ship), and the ocean liner Lusitania.
- Has two children from first marriage, Todd (deceased) and Doug (married with one child). Has two children from present marriage, Ben (b. 1994) and Emily (b. 1998)
- Is a big Red Sox fan.
- It is a quiet and peaceful place-and a fitting place for the remains of this greatest of sea tragedies to rest. [on descending to the wreck of the RMS Titanic 73 years after it sank with more than 1,500 passengers on board, quoted in the NY Times, 10 September 1985]
- The Titanic will protect itself. [on discovering that the ship's bow is too damaged and too deeply buried in the ocean bottom to be plundered by treasure hunters]
- Forever may it remain that way. And may God bless these now-found souls. [Expressing his hope that the Titanic would not be disturbed]
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