Jerry Lee Lewis married seven times throughout his turbulent life, creating a complex web of romance, scandal, and personal tragedy that often overshadowed his groundbreaking piano playing. While his ferocious contributions to early rock and roll cemented his status as a music pioneer, his personal life remained a constant source of public fascination and controversy from the 1950s until his passing in October 2022.
Understanding Jerry Lee Lewis means looking past the stage persona to examine the seven women he married. From early heartbreaks and notorious scandals to his final decades of stability, here is the complete, factual history of Jerry Lee Lewis and his spouses.
Dorothy Barton (1953–1953)
Jerry Lee Lewis married his first wife, Dorothy Barton, in February 1953 when he was just 17 years old and she was 16. Barton was the daughter of a preacher in Mississippi.
The marriage was short-lived and turbulent, unraveling rapidly due to Lewis's erratic lifestyle and early struggles to find consistent musical work. They separated within months, though the official divorce wasn't finalized until October 1953, just as Lewis was preparing for his next relationship. As reported in recent coverage by Reuters, the results are widespread.
Jane Mitcham (1952–1957)
Before his divorce from Dorothy Barton was legally finalized, Lewis entered a common-law relationship with Jane Mitcham in late 1952 or early 1953. They married legally in September 1953 after his first divorce went through.
Mitcham gave birth to Lewis's first child, Jerry Lee Lewis Jr., in 1954. Their marriage suffered from Lewis's relentless touring, financial instability, and volatile temper. Mitcham filed for divorce in October 1957, citing cruel and inhuman treatment. The split occurred just as Lewis was recording "Great Balls of Fire" and hitting international superstardom.
Myra Gale Brown (1957–1970)
The most infamous chapter in Lewis's personal life began in December 1957 when he married his third wife, Myra Gale Brown, who was his 13-year-old first cousin once removed (and the daughter of his bass player, J.W. Brown). Lewis was 22 at the time.
The marriage remained a secret for several months until Lewis arrived in London for his first major UK tour in May 1958. British reporters discovered Myra's age and lineage, triggering an immediate and violent public backlash. British promoters canceled concerts, fans booed him off stage, and the BBC blacklisted his records.
When Lewis returned to the United States, American radio stations and promoters similarly dropped him. His concert fees plummeted from $10,000 a night to $250 playing in rough honky-tonks. Despite the scandal, Myra and Lewis remained married for 13 years, having two children together: Steve Allen Lewis (who tragically drowned at age three in 1962) and Phoebe Lewis. Myra filed for divorce in 1970 on grounds of adultery and abuse, later writing a memoir detailing the intense pressure of their life together.
Jaren Elizabeth Gunn Pate (1971–1982)
Following his divorce from Myra, Lewis married Jaren Elizabeth Gunn Pate in October 1971. By this time, Lewis was staging a major career comeback in country music, scoring chart-topping hits on the Billboard Country charts with tracks like "Another Place, Another Time."
Jaren provided a stabilizing presence during Lewis's resurgence as a country artist, and the couple had a daughter, Lori Lee Lewis, in 1972. However, the marriage was marred by personal demons, heavy drinking, and substance abuse. In June 1982, before their divorce could be finalized, Jaren drowned in a swimming pool at a friend's house in DeSoto County, Mississippi, under tragic circumstances.
Shawn Stephens (1983–1983)
In June 1983, Lewis married Shawn Stephens. This marriage lasted for a mere 77 days.
In August 1983, Shawn Stephens Lewis was found dead in their Nesbit, Mississippi home at the age of 25. An autopsy revealed she died of a methadone overdose. The sudden tragedy sparked intense police investigations and media scrutiny, though foul play was ultimately ruled out. The incident added another tragic milestone to Lewis's already heavy personal history.
Kerry McAver (1984–1986)
Seeking stability after a devastating year, Lewis married Kerry McAver in April 1984. McAver was nearly 24 years younger than Lewis.
The marriage lasted roughly two years before deteriorating amid allegations of domestic volatility and alcohol abuse. McAver filed for divorce in 1986, citing physical abuse, and the split was finalized later that year.
Judith Brown (2012–2022)
Jerry Lee Lewis remained unmarried for over 25 years following his divorce from Kerry McAver, focusing primarily on his touring schedule and legacy. In March 2012, he married Judith Brown in a quiet ceremony in Mississippi.
Judith was uniquely connected to Lewis's past: she was the ex-wife of Rusty Brown, who was the brother of Myra Gale Brown (Lewis's third wife). Unlike his previous turbulent unions, Judith provided steady, protective management during Lewis's final decade. She managed his health, guarded his estate, and stood by his side as he received honors from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Judith remained his wife until Lewis passed away on October 28, 2022, at the age of 87, bringing an end to a lifetime of tempestuous romances.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
When studying Jerry Lee Lewis's marital history, several common myths frequently arise:
- Assuming Myra was his first wife: Many casual fans conflate the 1958 UK tour scandal with Lewis's entire romantic history, forgetting he had already been married twice before Myra.
- Confusing Jaren Pate and Judith Brown: Observers occasionally mix up the later wives, but Jaren passed away tragically in 1982, whereas Judith was his final wife who cared for him until his death in 2022.
- Overlooking his country music era stability: While his personal life appeared chaotic, his career actually rebounded significantly during his marriage to Jaren Pate, proving he could sustain commercial success during prolonged periods of matrimony.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times was Jerry Lee Lewis married?
Jerry Lee Lewis was married seven times. His unions spanned from his youth in 1953 until his final marriage in 2012, which lasted until his death in 2022.
Which marriage destroyed Jerry Lee Lewis's career?
His 1957 marriage to his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Gale Brown, caused a massive international scandal in 1958 that effectively halted his rock and roll stardom in the United States and Europe for over a decade.
What happened to Jerry Lee Lewis's fifth wife, Shawn Stephens?
Shawn Stephens married Lewis in June 1983 and passed away just 77 days later in August 1983 from a methadone overdose at their Mississippi home.
Who was Jerry Lee Lewis married to when he died?
Lewis was married to Judith Brown from 2012 until his death in October 2022. She managed his affairs and cared for him in his final years.
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