Dean Martin, “The King of Cool,” had a life as colorful off-stage as it was in front of the spotlight. While his crooning voice and suave style made him a legend, his love life tells quite the story of the man behind that charming smile. Married not once, not twice, but three times, he tied the knot first with Elizabeth Anne McDonald, then the glamorous Jeanne Biegger, and later, Catherine Hawn. And across those marriages? A brood of eight kids.
But while Dean might’ve been a top-notch dad, what about his role as a husband? Let’s spill some tea and take a closer peek into his relationships with his first two wives.
Elizabeth Anne McDonald (1941-1949)
Dean first met Elizabeth (Betty) in Cleveland, Ohio, and let’s just say, it was pretty much love at first sight for Betty. His charm and that smooth voice of his had her head over heels. They didn’t waste any time; by October 1941, they were married in St. Ann’s Church in Cleveland Heights. They had four kids together: Craig, Claudia, Gail, and Deana.
Betty was a regular at his shows, always cheering him on. They loved chilling together, playing cards or catching a movie, just soaking up the good times.
But as Martin’s career took off, so did the challenges. His constant travel for shows meant less time at home, leaving Betty to juggle everything from family to finances. She was instrumental in refining his stage presence and even his speech, which boosted his appeal on stage.
Despite her support, the rumors of his infidelities began to strain their marriage. Their daughter Deana details these challenges and their heated confrontations in her book, Memories Are Made of This: Dean Martin Through His Daughter’s Eyes.
Even amid these struggles, her dedication to him remained strong. She tirelessly worked to maintain a warm home environment, hoping to keep their family intact. However, the relentless tour schedules and persistent rumors increasingly overshadowed their happier moments.
The situation reached a tipping point in 1949 when Martin developed feelings for his second spouse, Jeanne. Although they were legally separated, Betty discovered his intentions not through a personal conversation but shockingly through a radio broadcast. She began noticing subtle signs, like unexpected gifts of Florida oranges from Jeanne and her presence at Dean’s shows, a spot once reserved for Betty.
The final straw came when she learned that he was sending out wedding invitations while they were still legally married, a detail also shared by Deana in her book. They divorced early that year, after the emotional toll became too much for her to bear.
After the divorce, Betty led a quieter life, focusing on her children and never remarrying. She later had a relationship with singer Ed Townsend, as shared by her daughter Deana in her publication. She continued to live a life devoted to her family until her passing on July 11, 1989, at the age of 66.
Jeanne Biegger (1949-1973)
Dean and Jeanne tied the knot on September 1, 1949, after his divorce from Betty wrapped up in February. They settled into a cozy Beverly Hills spot at 601 Mountain Drive, which quickly became the heart of their family life.
Jeanne embraced motherhood fully, encouraging him to take full custody of his four kids from Betty and vowing to treat them like her own. The couple also welcomed three more children: Dean Paul, Ricci, and Gina.
On the surface, the Martin household seemed idyllic. However, beneath the glamorous exterior, the usual pressures of celebrity life began to strain their marriage. Dean’s nonstop schedule and the endless fan frenzy often threw a wrench into their home life.
Over the years, the former flames’ interests began to drift apart. Jeanne was the social butterfly, thriving in lively settings, whereas her husband preferred quieter evenings at home. This difference, coupled with the relentless demands of Martin’s career, slowly created a rift between them.
Dean was often on the road or hanging late with the Rat Pack, leaving his second wife to juggle the family duties alone. Eventually, they started living separate lives within the same house, with the late artist even transforming an office into his personal bedroom as a sign of the growing distance.
In a desperate move to mend their relationship, Jeanne purchased Hidden Valley Ranch near Thousand Oaks in the late ’60s, hoping its golf course might lure Martin home more often. Despite her efforts, their marriage continued to deteriorate, as revealed by their son Ricci in his book That’s Amore: A Son Remembers Dean Martin.
The breaking point hit on December 10, 1969, when Jeanne publicly announced her decision to file for divorce, citing her hubby’s emerging relationship with Catherine as the catalyst.
Their divorce was finalized in 1973 and turned out to be one of Hollywood’s costliest at the time. Dean instructed his lawyers to “give her whatever she wants.” The lady walked away with around $6.5 million, the family home, several cars, and a chunk of other assets, ensuring she was well set up financially.
Despite the rough end to their marriage, the former pair kept things amicable, mostly for the sake of their kids. The tragic death of their son Dean Paul in 1987 brought them closer. Dean’s lingering feelings for Jeanne were the underlying reason for his later divorce from his third wife, Catherine. He even attempted reconciliation with Jeanne, but it was not to be.
This friendship lasted until his death on December 25, 1995, with Jeanne not only present but also visibly moved at his funeral, paying her last respects alongside their family.
However, she also passed away on August 24, 2016, at age 89 from complications of cancer at her Beverly Hills home, just three weeks after the death of her son Ricci.
