Dean Martin's Marriages: The Untold Stories Behind The Crooner's Love Life

Alaina April 17, 2025

Let me tell you about the legendary Dean Martin, a man who wasn’t just famous for his smooth voice and Rat Pack swagger but also for his personal life. Now, Dean Martin, the late crooner, had this irresistible charm that made him a swinging playboy in Hollywood. But here’s the thing—despite his reputation as a ladies’ man, he was actually married three times over the course of his life. So let’s dive into the story of the man behind the music and the women who shared his life.

Dean Martin's First Marriage: Betty McDonald

Back in 1941, Dean Martin tied the knot with Elizabeth Anne “Betty” McDonald. This was the start of his journey into family life. Betty wasn’t just his first love; she was the mother of his first four children. Their marriage brought them four beautiful kids—Craig, born in 1941, Claudia in 1944, Gail in 1945, and finally, Deana in 1948. Picture this: a young Dean Martin, fresh off the stage, coming home to a growing family. But as life would have it, their marriage didn’t last forever. In 1949, just a year after their youngest daughter was born, Dean and Betty decided to part ways. Interestingly, Dean was awarded custody of their children, which was quite a move at the time.

Now here’s where things get interesting. The same year he divorced Betty, Dean’s career with his comedic partner, Jerry Lewis, was taking off like a rocket. They debuted their own radio show and inked a major film deal with Paramount Pictures. It was a pivotal moment in his career, and it seemed like everything was falling into place for him professionally, even as his personal life was changing.

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Marriage Number Two: Jeanne Biegger

Dean Martin wasn’t one to waste time. While he was still married to Betty, he met Dorothy Jean “Jeanne” Biegger in Miami. She was a beauty queen who caught his eye at one of his shows with Jerry Lewis. Once his divorce from Betty was finalized, Dean wasted no time in walking down the aisle again. On September 1, 1949, in Beverly Hills, Dean and Jeanne exchanged vows, with Jerry Lewis proudly serving as best man. It was the start of a new chapter in Dean’s life, and this marriage would last over two decades, making it the longest of his three marriages.

With Jeanne, Dean became the father of seven children in total. They added three more kids to his family—Dean Paul Martin Jr., born in 1951, Ricci in 1953, and Gina in 1956. Now, Dean had a big family, and he didn’t shy away from using that fact in his act. One of his most famous jokes was, “I’ve got seven kids. The three words you hear most around my house are ‘hello,’ ‘goodbye’ and ‘I’m pregnant.’” It was classic Dean Martin humor.

But as with many long-term relationships, things eventually changed. In 1973, after 24 years of marriage, Dean and Jeanne decided to call it quits. Dean himself filed for divorce, and he even joked about it later, saying, “I know it’s the gentlemanly thing to let the wife file. But then, everybody knows I’m no gentleman.” It was a classic Dean Martin line, and it showed his wit even in tough situations.

Third Time's the Charm: Catherine Hawn

Dean Martin wasn’t done with love yet. The same year he divorced Jeanne, he remarried. This time, it was Catherine Hawn, a receptionist at a Beverly Hills salon. They met through one of Dean’s family friends, and it wasn’t long before they decided to tie the knot. Their wedding was a glamorous affair, with A-list guests like Frank Sinatra in attendance. It was a big deal, and it seemed like Dean had found love again.

But as with his previous marriages, this one didn’t last forever. In 1976, just three years after their wedding, Dean filed for divorce again. Although they didn’t have any children together, Dean did adopt Catherine’s daughter, Sasha. It was a thoughtful gesture that showed his commitment to family, even if the marriage didn’t last.

Dean Martin's Later Years

After his third marriage, Dean decided that three was enough. He never remarried in the final 19 years of his life. But here’s the twist—Dean and Jeanne reconciled after his divorce from Catherine. They remained close until Dean’s passing. On Christmas Day in 1995, the world lost a legend when Dean Martin passed away from complications of lung cancer. His legacy lives on through his music, his films, and the stories of his incredible life.