Lisa Beamer is Todd Beamer's surviving wife. After his heroic death on the passenger flight for United Airlines on September 11, 2001, she was left to care for their two kids and their then-unborn child.
Lisa Beamer's life changed quickly as her husband's heroic death made her the face of the mourners affected by the 9/11 attack. He was on the fourth hijacked plane, but he and others on board acted, leading the plane to crash into an empty field.
Seventeen years after his death, she recounted his actions as she co-wrote the award-winning book "Let's Roll! Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage."
Lisa Beamer posing with a copy of her book "Let's Roll! Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage" on August 21, 2002, in Los Angeles | Source: Getty Images
Lisa was born in Albany, New York, on April 10, 1969, and in 1991, she graduated from Wheaton College, the private Evangelical Christian liberal arts college.
While in college, she met her husband, and they married on May 14, 1994. On the morning he died, he had left early to attend a business meeting in San Francisco.
Lisa Beamer leaving CNN Studios on October 5, 2001, in New York | Source: Getty Images
How Todd Beamer's Widow Lisa Beamer Lives Today
Immediately after her husband's death, the five-months-pregnant Lisa became a public figure and ensured her husband's legacy continued.
Shortly after, she formed a foundation in his name and singlehandedly raised their three kids. Two years later, she co-wrote a book, followed by another one, "Be The One! The Todd Beamer Story," in 2018.
In 2021, on the 20th anniversary of the attack, she spoke at their college, which their three children also attended. However, in recent times, Lisa has made her Instagram account private as she aims to live away from the spotlight.
Lisa Beamer at the ESPY Awards on July 9, 2002, in West Hollywood | Source: Getty Images
Todd Beamer's Last Heroic Call
After the terrorists hijacked the plane, some passengers began calling their family and friends. The passengers learned about the attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon from their calls.
When Todd made a call using a phone on the back of the plane, an operator Lisa Jefferson took his call. He informed her about what was happening on the plane.
The operator, Todd, and other passengers said the Lord's Prayer and recited Psalm 23. Although in distress, he remained calm on the phone and informed the operator of their plans to try and take control.
Lisa Beamer at the San Francisco International Airport on October 19, 2001, in San Francisco | Source: Getty Images
Like Brian Sweeney, who left a message for his wife in his last moments, Todd asked the operator to inform his family if he died and remind them of his love. As they were ready to storm the cockpit, the operator recalled hearing Todd speaking to the other passengers, and he said:
"Are you ready? Okay, let's roll."
These were the last words the operator heard Todd say. She later recalled that his calmness initially made her doubt he was calling from a plane that had been hijacked.
Lisa Beamer at Shea Stadium on April 1, 2002, in New York | Source: Getty Images
Lisa Raised the Couple's Three Children
Four months after Todd's death, Lisa gave birth to their daughter and named her after her late husband. Lisa revealed in her 2003 book that their daughter's name, Morgan Kay Beamer, was a combination of her and her husband's middle names.
She further mentioned that their daughter took after Todd so much that she was the only one of their children with hair as dark as his.
Despite growing up without their father to guide them, they followed in his athletic footsteps. Lisa's husband loved sports and played college basketball and baseball. Years later, he also played softball at their church.
Photo of Lisa, Drew, and David Beamer at home on November 14, 2001 | Source: Getty Images
Todd and Lisa's kids all became athletes while in college. Their first son, David, was a quarterback in high school and a junior quarterback in college.
Within 72 hours of his death, Todd became a national hero.
Their second son, Drew, played soccer and was a midfielder for his college soccer team in his first year. The couple's only daughter, Morgan, played lacrosse in high school and was a midfielder on her college soccer team.
Drew, Lisa, Morgan, and David Beamer at Shea Stadium on April 1, 2002, in New York | Source: Getty Images
Todd Became Known as a National Hero after 9/11
When Todd left his pregnant wife early on September 11, 2001, and decided to go on a work trip to his company's headquarters in San Francisco, he never dreamed of becoming a national hero.
Unfortunately, he never made it to his destination as his plane was one of the four hijacked that day by terrorists. However, the actions of the passengers caused the aircraft, which was 20 minutes away from Washington, to crash.
Everyone onboard died, but they saved the lives of others who would not have made it had the plane reached its target destination.
Lisa Beamer at the San Francisco International Airport on October 19, 2001, in San Francisco | Source: Getty Images
Once the passengers realized they were about to become part of the terrorists' plans to attack the United States, they swung into action and staged a counter-attack.
Before executing their attack, Todd called Jefferson, a Chicago phone operator, and they spoke for 15 minutes, during which time they also shared a prayer. Their counter-attack lasted for less than ten minutes before the plane crashed.
After the media became privy to his call with the operator, they realized how courageous and resilient he and the other passengers had been.
Lisa Beamer being acknowledged by the US Congress on September 20, 2001, in Washington | Source: Getty Images
Within 72 hours of his death, Todd became a national hero, and his wife became a public figure. When asked how her husband had managed to remain calm during the crisis, she said he was assured of his soul's security because of his faith.
Lisa knew how much her husband loved his life. However, she explained that her husband knew there was more to life. Their faith let him know that his life was much more than what happens on earth. After the tragedy, she held on to their faith and beliefs while caring for their three kids alone.
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