Mary Sue Whipp was born on June 17, 1931, in Rockdale, Texas. She was the daughter of Harry Whipp, a farmer, and Ethel Wynn, a teacher. She grew up with a brother and two sisters and attended the University of Texas where she studied music and education. In 1952, Mary Sue met L. Ron Hubbard at a party in Washington, D.C. They quickly fell in love and were married within three months. Mary Sue soon became involved in her husband's work as the founder of Scientology, eventually rising to become one of the most powerful figures in the organization. She was a key figure in the Guardians Office, an arm of Scientology that was responsible for protecting the religion's interests and enforcing its policies. In 1982, Mary Sue resigned from the Guardians Office after being convicted of conspiracy and obstructing justice in the largest domestic espionage case in U.S. history. Mary Sue suffered from breast cancer in her later years and passed away on November 25, 2002, at the age of 71. She was survived by her six children and her husband, who had predeceased her by 16 years.