Renowned rock and roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis has led a storied and controversial personal life, with his string of high-profile marriages making headlines around the world. However, one question that has captivated fans and critics alike is: who did Jerry Lee Lewis marry? Delving into the tumultuous love life of this musical icon reveals a complex and fascinating web of relationships that have left an indelible mark on both his career and personal legacy.
Table of Contents
- Introduction to Jerry Lee Lewis’ marriages
- Marriage to his cousin: Myra Gale Brown
- Controversy and legal aftermath
- Later marriages and personal life
- Q&A
- Wrapping Up
Introduction to Jerry Lee Lewis’ marriages
Jerry Lee Lewis, the rock and roll legend, has been married seven times throughout his life. His colorful and tumultuous love life has been a subject of fascination for many fans and music enthusiasts. Here is a look at the marriages of the “Killer” himself.
1. **Dorothy Barton (1952-1953):** Lewis’s first marriage was to his high school sweetheart Dorothy Barton. The couple got married when Lewis was just 16 years old, and the marriage lasted for a year.
2. **Jane Mitcham (1953-1957):** Lewis’s second marriage was to Jane Mitcham. The couple had two children before their marriage ended in divorce in 1957.
3. **Myra Gale Brown (1957-1970):** This was Lewis’s most controversial marriage, as Myra was his 13-year-old cousin when they got married. The scandal surrounding their relationship had a major impact on Lewis’s career and reputation. They were married for 13 years and had two children together.
4. **Jaren Elizabeth Gunn Pate (1971-1982):** Lewis’s fourth marriage was to Jaren Elizabeth Gunn Pate. The couple had one child before divorcing in 1982.
5. **Shawn Michelle Stevens (1983-2002):** Lewis married Shawn Michelle Stevens in 1983, and the couple had two children together. Their marriage lasted for nearly two decades before ending in divorce.
6. **Kerrie McCarver (1984-2005):** Remarkably, Lewis married his sixth wife, Kerrie McCarver, just 23 days before his divorce from Shawn Michelle Stevens was finalized. The couple stayed married for over two decades and had a child together.
7. **Judith Brown (2012-present):** Lewis’s most recent marriage is to Judith Brown, whom he married in 2012. The couple is still together, marking Lewis’s longest marriage to date.
In conclusion, Jerry Lee Lewis has had a tumultuous romantic life, with seven marriages that have seen their fair share of controversies and scandals. Each marriage has left its unique mark on the rock and roll icon’s personal and professional life, making them an interesting aspect of his enduring legacy.
Marriage to his cousin: Myra Gale Brown
Jerry Lee Lewis, the American rock and roll musician, married his cousin Myra Gale Brown in December 1957 when she was just 13 years old and he was 22. This controversial marriage caused a major scandal and led to a significant backlash against Lewis, both personally and professionally.
Despite the controversy surrounding their relationship, Jerry Lee Lewis and Myra Gale Brown continued their marriage for 13 years, eventually divorcing in 1970. The contentious nature of their marriage and the age difference between the two continues to be a topic of interest and debate among fans and critics alike.
While Jerry Lee Lewis had a successful career in music, including hits like “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” his marriage to his cousin remains a controversial and often discussed part of his personal life. The story of Jerry Lee Lewis and Myra Gale Brown serves as a fascinating and complicated chapter in the history of rock and roll.
Controversy and legal aftermath
The surrounding Jerry Lee Lewis’s marriages have been the subject of much speculation and public scrutiny over the years. The rock and roll legend has been married seven times, and his third marriage to 13-year-old Myra Gale Brown sparked significant controversy and legal repercussions.
The marriage to Brown, who was also Lewis’s first cousin, caused an uproar in the media and amongst the public, leading to a significant decline in Lewis’s popularity and career. The legal aftermath of this union included a canceled tour, boycotted radio stations, and a tarnished public image that haunted Lewis for years. The controversy surrounding his marriages has continued to be a topic of fascination and debate among fans and music historians.
Later marriages and personal life
Jerry Lee Lewis, also known as “The Killer,” has been married seven times throughout his life. His first marriage was to Dorothy Barton in 1952, but the couple divorced three years later. Lewis then went on to marry Jane Mitcham in 1953 and had two children before their divorce in 1957.
In 1957, Lewis made headlines with his third marriage to his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Gale Brown. The scandal severely damaged his career, and the couple divorced in 1970. Following his divorce from Brown, Lewis went on to marry Jaren Elizabeth Gunn Pate in 1971, but the marriage only lasted until 1982. His fifth marriage was to Shawn Stephens, whom he married in 1983. Unfortunately, the couple divorced in 2004.
In 2012, Lewis tied the knot with Judith Brown, but their marriage was short-lived, ending in 2014. His most recent marriage was to Kerrie McCarver in 2012, but the couple divorced in 2015. Throughout his life, Jerry Lee Lewis has had a tumultuous personal life, marked by numerous marriages and divorces. However, his contributions to rock and roll music continue to be celebrated to this day.
**Jerry Lee Lewis Marriages**
– Dorothy Barton (1952–1955)
– Jane Mitcham (1953–1957)
– Myra Gale Brown (1957–1970)
– Jaren Elizabeth Gunn Pate (1971–1982)
– Shawn Stephens (1983–2004)
– Judith Brown (2012–2014)
– Kerrie McCarver (2012–2015)
Q&A
Q: Who did Jerry Lee Lewis marry?
A: Jerry Lee Lewis married seven times throughout his life. His first marriage was to Dorothy Barton in 1952, followed by Jane Mitcham in 1953, Myra Gale Brown in 1957, Jaren Elizabeth Gunn Pate in 1971, Shawn Stephens in 1983, Kerrie McCarver in 1984, and Judith Brown in 2012.
Q: Who was Myra Gale Brown?
A: Myra Gale Brown was Lewis’s third wife, and also happened to be his cousin. Their marriage caused significant controversy due to the fact that Brown was only 13 years old at the time, and Lewis was 22. The scandal had a lasting negative impact on Lewis’s career.
Q: How did Jerry Lee Lewis’s marriages impact his career?
A: Lewis’s multiple marriages, particularly his controversial marriage to his young cousin, Myra Gale Brown, had a significant impact on his career. His reputation and popularity suffered as a result, and he faced backlash and even boycotts from fans and industry professionals.
Q: Who is Jerry Lee Lewis married to now?
A: As of the most recent information available, Jerry Lee Lewis is married to Judith Brown, whom he wed in 2012.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, the marriages of Jerry Lee Lewis have been a subject of great interest to fans and music historians alike. From his controversial marriage to his 13-year-old cousin to his later marriages to various women, Lewis’s personal life has often overshadowed his musical career. Despite the ups and downs, Lewis’s marriages have undeniably played a significant role in shaping his legacy as a rock ‘n’ roll icon. As he continues to perform and make music, his marriages will undoubtedly remain a topic of conversation for years to come.


