Catherine Hawn, 78, became a well-known figure in the 1970s after marrying legendary entertainer, Dean Martin. Practically overnight, her quiet and private life completely transformed into the talk of the town, with media outlets buzzing about the glamorous couple everywhere they went.
During her marriage to Martin, Hawn fully embraced her newfound fame. She took on the role of Mrs. Martin in The Merv Griffin Show (1962-1986) and even graced the covers of several magazines, including Movie World, often appearing alongside her superstar husband.
Yet, despite her time in the spotlight, much of her personal story has remained under the radar. Today let’s take a look at her life and current whereabouts!
She Was A Hollywood Royalty Long Before Her Marriage
Catherine, the daughter of Jim Baxes and Gladys Hayden, may have first caught the public eye through her marriage to Dean, but her connections to Hollywood run far deeper.
Her father, Jim, wasn’t just a Major League Baseball player; he also had a stint in the film industry with a role in the 1950 film Kill the Umpire. Similarly, her stepbrother, James Coleman, is an actor and voice artist, with memorable roles in films like The Final Countdown (1980) and The High Country (1981), and in the TV series S.W.A.T. (1975).
She also has a sister named Brook Baxes.
How She Met Her Ex-Husband
Catherine was working as a receptionist at the Gene Shacove Hair Salon in Beverly Hills in 1970 when fate stepped in. According to Dean’s son, Ricci Martin, in his memoir That’s Amore: A Son Remembers Dean Martin, it was a family friend, Frank Calcagnini, who played matchmaker, introducing them.
At the time, Dean was still married to his second wife, but he quickly fell for the 23-year-old blonde beauty. By 1973, he had finalized his divorce and was ready to walk down the aisle with Catherine.
They Got Married In A Lavish Ceremony
On April 25, 1973, Cathy and Dean tied the knot in a ceremony that screamed royalty. With his superstar status, he made sure their big day reflected his extravagant tastes, reportedly spending between $50,000 and $100,000 (around $360,000 to $721,000 today). When asked about the extravagance, the late artist shrugged it off, saying, “It’s not expensive when you’re in love.”
The bride did not disappoint as well, she dazzled in a pink champagne gown made from French chiffon satin with a dramatic high neckline and long-flowing train, completing her look with an exaggerated headpiece adorned with lilies of the valley.
The wedding was dripping with luxury, with hundreds of lilies, lilacs, and tulips flown in from Paris to create a dreamlike atmosphere. Adding to the splendor, 22 cages of white doves were released for an unforgettable touch. Guests were served French Champagne and Iranian Caviar.
And if that still wasn’t enough to catch everyone’s attention, Dean’s inner circle of Hollywood’s elite was in attendance—Frank Sinatra even stood by as best man.
Hawn Had a Daughter From Her Previous Relationship
Before her marriage to Dean, Catherine was married and had a daughter named Sasha. The identity of her first husband has remained discreet.
Once Dean came into the picture, he embraced Sasha too, officially adopting her and bringing her into the Martin family. She even had the honor of being the flower girl at her parent’s wedding.
Sasha didn’t just stay in the background, though—she had her own brush with Hollywood. Known for her roles in Private Parts (1997) and Guiding Light (1952), she carried on a bit of the Martin legacy.
Now, at 60, she enjoys a quieter life in Las Vegas with her husband, Jon Davis.
Everything Ends and So Did Their Marriage
Before Catherine, Dean had already been married twice—first to Elizabeth Anne McDonald and then to Jeanne Biegger—fathering seven children in total.
Given his past, going through another divorce wasn’t exactly new for him. After just two years together, Catherine and Dean separated, and their marriage officially ended in 1976, merely three years after their wedding.
Rumors swirled that one reason for their split may have been Martin’s lingering affection for his second wife, Jeanne. In fact, right after finalizing his divorce from Catherine, he reconciled with Jeanne, though they never remarried.
Additionally, the substantial age gap of 30 years between the former flames might have also contributed to their separation.
She Was There To Honor Dean At His Funeral
Following her split from Dean, she seemed to vanish from the public eye. Once a familiar face, she retreated into a world of quiet seclusion, leaving fans and media alike to wonder about her whereabouts.
Her last known public appearance was at her ex-hubby’s funeral in 1995, as mentioned in Variety Obituary, where she paid her respects alongside his second wife, Jeanne.
Currently, she lives in Calabasas, California.
