Inside Idaho
The stories of Idaho’s history, places, and oddities
The dream for many girls of becoming a Disney princess became a reality for one Idaho girl.
Lillian Bounds was born in 1899 in Spalding, Idaho and later grew up on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation in Lapwai. Her dad worked as a blacksmith and federal marshal.
In 1923, she and her older sister Hazel moved to Los Angeles. Here she earned $15 a week working as a secretary and inker of film frames at the Walt Disney Studio.
She soon met Walt, and the two married in Lewiston, Idaho, in 1925. The couple had two daughters – Diane and Sharon. They were married for 41 years – up until Walt Disney passed away in 1966.
‘How about Mickey?’
According to her obituary in the New York Times, Mr. Disney often discussed ideas and sought his wife’s approval on projects like Snow White and building Disneyland. Lillian is also credited with naming Mickey Mouse – who Walt had initially wanted to name Mortimer Mouse.
“Not Mortimer,” the Disney Archives quotes her as saying to the idea. “It’s too formal. How about Mickey?”
She worked on a string of Disney shorts in the early years, including a number of Alice in Wonderland stories, and in Plane Crazy, where Mickey made his debut.
”Mrs. Disney was a full-time partner to Walt and we are all grateful for her contributions in the creation of Mickey Mouse and the Disney Company and the example she set for family life and community service,” former Walt Disney Company Chairman Michael D. Eisner said in the obituary.
“I think my dad fell in love with her almost immediately… she was an independent little lady,” daughter Diane Disney Miller said to the Disney Archives.
Lillian spent the last years of her life working with her foundation – giving to many causes focused on the arts and education.
She gave to several organizations in her hometown, including $200,000 to the Lapwai School District and $100,000 to Lapwai’s Nez Perce Indians who were working to buy some ancient tribal artifacts.
