The company says Jane Henson died Tuesday at her Connecticut home following a battle with cancer. She was 78.
She and Jim Henson met in a University of Maryland puppetry class in the mid-1950s, and they became creative and business partners in the development of the Muppets.
The Hensons married in 1959 and had five children: Lisa, Cheryl, Brian, John and Heather. The pair separated in 1986, and Jim Henson died in 1990.
In 1992, Jane Henson created and funded The Jim Henson Legacy to preserve his artistic contributions.
A memorial Mass is planned next week.
