Homer's mother, a 1960s hippie activist he long believed to be dead.

Why did she abandon her family?

After sabotaging Mr. Burns's laboratory, she was recognized and had to flee to escape prosecution, leaving Homer as a child.

Does Homer find his mother again?

Yes, alive, in the episode "Mother Simpson" (1995). She dies later, in "Mona Leaves-a" (2008).

Who voices Mona in the original version?

Actress Glenn Close; Régine Teyssot in the French version.

Femme des Simpson à la haute coiffure gris-bleu et col roulé rose, assise devant un mur turquoise et un cadre doré

Mona Simpson: Homer's fugitive mother

July 18, 2026

1015 words | Reading time: 6 minutes

CharacterSimpson familyMona Simpson

Homer grew up believing his mother was dead; she was living in hiding in a hippie commune. An activist in the 1960s counterculture, Mona Simpson (née Olsen), Abraham's ex-wife, sabotaged Mr. Burns's biological weapons laboratory with a group of activists — curing Chief Wiggum's asthma in the process — before being recognized and forced to flee. Then come the reunion of "Mother Simpson" (1995), her death in "Mona Leaves-a" (2008) and her voices, Glenn Close first among them. A little-known chapter of the Simpson family's past.

A 1960s activist, a fugitive for decades, and a mother Homer believed dead: Mona Simpson is one of the show's most poignant characters.

Behind Homer's carefree exterior hides a devastating family secret. Here is his mother's profile.

Who is Mona Simpson?
The sabotage that changed everything
Reunion and farewell
Mona Simpson's voice actors
Summary table
FAQ
Conclusion

Who is Mona Simpson?

Mona Simpson (née Olsen) is Homer's mother and the ex-wife of Abraham "Grampa" Simpson. An activist in the 1960s counterculture, committed to the left, she led an activist's life — a long way from the image of the traditional household. A past that will force her to disappear from her son's life.

📣 Committed to the left in the thick of the 1960s counterculture, Mona ended up paying for her convictions with a life on the run; on the lid of your laptop, our Simpsons stickers let you fly your colors for all to see, without forcing you to disappear afterwards.

Mona Simpson, gray hair and turtleneck, in a living room — Homer's mother: an activist turned fugitive, who made only rare returns to her son's life.

The sabotage that changed everything

The turning point of her life: with a group of activists, Mona infiltrates and sabotages Mr. Burns's biological weapons research laboratory (the operation incidentally cures Chief Wiggum's asthma by accident). Recognized by Burns, she becomes a fugitive and has to abandon her family while Homer is still young. To protect him, Abraham lets him believe his mother is dead, while she lives in hiding in a hippie commune.

🎭 After sabotaging Mr. Burns's biological weapons lab and being recognized by him, Mona had to live in hiding in a hippie commune; to go incognito for a night at a costume party, all you need is our Simpsons costumes, no need to leave your loved ones behind.

Reunion and farewell

Homer, who has believed her dead since childhood, finds her alive in the episode "Mother Simpson" (1995) — one of the show's most moving. The two characters cross paths a few more times, up to Mona's death in "Mona Leaves-a" (2008), where she passes away peacefully, leaving her son a final message. A tragic arc that left a deep mark on fans.

Mona Simpson's voice actors

In the original version, Mona is mainly voiced by actress Glenn Close (from season 7 on), after being played by Maggie Roswell in her first appearances. In the French version, it is Régine Teyssot who lends her voice.

🖼️ Maggie Roswell for her first appearances, Glenn Close from season 7 on, Régine Teyssot in the French version: it took three voices to make Mona speak; on your bedroom wall, a poster needs none, and our Simpsons posters let the artwork speak for itself.

The abandoned son

Simpsons Homer Plush Toy 35cm

35 cm of the son Mona left behind for twenty-seven years.

€44.90 View product →

Summary table

Profile	Details
Identity	Mona Simpson (née Olsen), Homer's mother
Her past	1960s hippie activist
The turning point	The sabotage of Mr. Burns's lab, which makes her a fugitive
Reunion	"Mother Simpson" (1995)
Voice (original / French)	Glenn Close / Régine Teyssot

FAQ

Who is Mona Simpson?
Homer's mother, a 1960s hippie activist he long believed to be dead.
Why did she abandon her family?
After sabotaging Mr. Burns's laboratory, she was recognized and had to flee to escape prosecution, leaving Homer as a child.
Does Homer find his mother again?
Yes, alive, in the episode "Mother Simpson" (1995). She dies later, in "Mona Leaves-a" (2008).
Who voices Mona in the original version?
Actress Glenn Close; Régine Teyssot in the French version.

Conclusion

Idealistic, courageous and torn between her convictions and her family, Mona Simpson brings The Simpsons a rare depth. Her story is a reminder that, behind the comedy, the show knows how to move you too.