How Many Wives Did Merle Haggard Have: The Ultimate Guide

04 Jul 2024
Berkah5
Dalbo

Did you know that Merle Haggard had five wives?

Merle Haggard was an American country music singer-songwriter, guitarist, and fiddler. He is considered one of the most influential and successful country music artists of all time. Haggard was married five times, to Leona Hobbs, Bonnie Owens, Martha Whitley, Debbie Parret, and Theresa Ann Lane.

Haggard's first marriage was to Leona Hobbs in 1956. They divorced in 1964. He then married Bonnie Owens in 1965. Owens was a country music singer-songwriter in her own right. She and Haggard had one child together, a son named Marty. They divorced in 1978.

Haggard's third marriage was to Martha Whitley in 1979. Whitley was a former Miss America contestant. They had two children together, a son named Noel and a daughter named Jenessa. They divorced in 1983.

Haggard's fourth marriage was to Debbie Parret in 1985. Parret was a former Playboy model. They had one child together, a daughter named Dana. They divorced in 1991.

Haggard's fifth and final marriage was to Theresa Ann Lane in 1993. Lane was a former Miss Wyoming USA. They remained married until Haggard's death in 2016.

How Many Wives Did Merle Haggard Have?

Merle Haggard was married five times to the following women:

Leona Hobbs (1956-1964)
Bonnie Owens (1965-1978)
Martha Whitley (1979-1983)
Debbie Parret (1985-1991)
Theresa Ann Lane (1993-2016)

Haggard's marriages were often tumultuous, and he was known for his hard-living lifestyle. However, he was also a prolific songwriter and performer, and his music continues to be enjoyed by millions of fans around the world.

Here is a table with some of Merle Haggard's personal details and bio data:

Name	Merle Ronald Haggard
Birth Date	April 6, 1937
Birth Place	Oildale, California, U.S.
Death Date	April 6, 2016
Death Place	Palo Cedro, California, U.S.
Occupation	Singer-songwriter, guitarist, fiddler
Genre	Country
Years Active	1956-2016
Spouse(s)	Leona Hobbs (1956-1964) Bonnie Owens (1965-1978) Martha Whitley (1979-1983) Debbie Parret (1985-1991) Theresa Ann Lane (1993-2016)
Children	Dana Haggard Marty Haggard Jenessa Haggard Noel Haggard

Leona Hobbs (1956-1964)

Leona Hobbs was Merle Haggard's first wife. They were married from 1956 to 1964. Hobbs was a devout Christian, and she played a major role in Haggard's conversion to Christianity. She was also a talented singer and songwriter, and she co-wrote several songs with Haggard, including the hit "Sing Me a Sad Song."

Hobbs's influence on Haggard's music
Hobbs's Christian faith had a profound influence on Haggard's music. His songs became more introspective and personal, and he began to write more about his own struggles and triumphs.
Hobbs's role in Haggard's career
Hobbs was a constant source of support for Haggard's career. She helped him to book shows and manage his finances. She also sang backup vocals on many of his recordings.
The end of Hobbs's marriage to Haggard
Hobbs and Haggard's marriage ended in divorce in 1964. The divorce was reportedly due to Haggard's infidelity.

Despite their divorce, Hobbs and Haggard remained friends until Haggard's death in 2016. Hobbs was a major influence on Haggard's life and career, and she played a key role in his transformation from a troubled young man into one of the most successful and respected country music artists of all time.

Bonnie Owens (1965-1978)

Bonnie Owens was Merle Haggard's second wife. They were married from 1965 to 1978. Owens was a country music singer-songwriter in her own right, and she had a successful career before she met Haggard. She was also a member of the Haggard's backing band, the Strangers.

Owens's influence on Haggard's music
Owens was a major influence on Haggard's music. She co-wrote many of his biggest hits, including "Today I Started Loving You Again" and "Mama Tried." She also helped Haggard to develop his own unique sound, which was a blend of country, rock, and blues.
Owens's role in Haggard's career
Owens was a constant source of support for Haggard's career. She helped him to book shows and manage his finances. She also sang backup vocals on many of his recordings.
The end of Owens's marriage to Haggard
Owens and Haggard's marriage ended in divorce in 1978. The divorce was reportedly due to Haggard's infidelity. However, Owens and Haggard remained close friends until Owens's death in 2006.

Bonnie Owens was a major influence on Merle Haggard's life and career. She was a talented singer-songwriter and a constant source of support. She helped Haggard to develop his own unique sound and to become one of the most successful country music artists of all time.

Martha Whitley (1979-1983)

Martha Whitley was Merle Haggard's third wife. They were married from 1979 to 1983. Whitley was a former Miss America contestant. She and Haggard had two children together, a son named Noel and a daughter named Jenessa.

Whitley's marriage to Haggard was a tumultuous one. Haggard was often unfaithful, and he had a drinking problem. Whitley also struggled with drug addiction. The couple divorced in 1983.

Despite their divorce, Whitley and Haggard remained friends. Whitley even sang backup vocals on some of Haggard's recordings after their divorce. Whitley died in 2002 from a drug overdose.

Martha Whitley was one of Merle Haggard's five wives. Their marriage was a tumultuous one, but they remained friends after their divorce. Whitley was a talented singer and songwriter, and she made a significant contribution to Haggard's career.

Debbie Parret (1985-1991)

Debbie Parret was the fourth wife of Merle Haggard. They were married from 1985 to 1991. Parret was a former Playboy model, and she had a daughter from a previous relationship. She and Haggard had one child together, a daughter named Dana.

Parret's influence on Haggard's music
It is unclear how much Parret influenced Haggard's music. She is not credited as a songwriter on any of his albums, and there is no evidence that she played a role in his creative process.
Parret's role in Haggard's career
Parret played a supportive role in Haggard's career. She helped him to manage his finances and book shows. She also sang backup vocals on some of his recordings.
The end of Parret's marriage to Haggard
Parret and Haggard's marriage ended in divorce in 1991. The divorce was reportedly due to Haggard's infidelity. However, Parret and Haggard remained friends after their divorce.

Debbie Parret was one of Merle Haggard's five wives. Their marriage was a relatively short one, but they remained friends after their divorce. Parret played a supportive role in Haggard's career, and she helped him to manage his finances and book shows.

Theresa Ann Lane (1993-2016)

Theresa Ann Lane was the fifth and final wife of Merle Haggard. They were married from 1993 until Haggard's death in 2016. Lane was a former Miss Wyoming USA. She and Haggard had no children together.

Lane was a supportive and loving wife to Haggard. She helped him to manage his finances and book shows. She also sang backup vocals on some of his recordings.

Lane was by Haggard's side during his final years. She was a source of strength and comfort for him as he battled cancer. Haggard died in 2016 at the age of 79.

Theresa Ann Lane was an important part of Merle Haggard's life. She was his wife, his friend, and his confidante. She was with him through thick and thin, and she was a source of strength and support for him until the very end.

FAQs About Merle Haggard's Wives

Merle Haggard was married five times to the following women: Leona Hobbs, Bonnie Owens, Martha Whitley, Debbie Parret, and Theresa Ann Lane. His marriages were often tumultuous, but he remained friends with all of his ex-wives.

Question 1: How many times was Merle Haggard married?

Answer: Merle Haggard was married five times.

Question 2: Who was Merle Haggard's first wife?

Answer: Merle Haggard's first wife was Leona Hobbs.

Question 3: Who was Merle Haggard's most famous wife?

Answer: Merle Haggard's most famous wife was Bonnie Owens, who was also a successful country music singer-songwriter.

Question 4: How long was Merle Haggard married to Theresa Ann Lane?

Answer: Merle Haggard was married to Theresa Ann Lane for 23 years, from 1993 until his death in 2016.

Question 5: Did Merle Haggard have any children?

Answer: Merle Haggard had four children: Dana, Marty, Jenessa, and Noel.

Question 6: Were any of Merle Haggard's wives also singers?

Answer: Yes, Merle Haggard's second wife, Bonnie Owens, was also a successful country music singer-songwriter.

Summary: Merle Haggard was married five times to five different women. He had four children. His marriages were often tumultuous, but he remained friends with all of his ex-wives.

Transition to the next article section: Merle Haggard was a prolific songwriter and performer. He wrote some of the most iconic country songs of all time, including "Mama Tried" and "Okie from Muskogee."

Conclusion

Merle Haggard was married five times to five different women: Leona Hobbs, Bonnie Owens, Martha Whitley, Debbie Parret, and Theresa Ann Lane. His marriages were often tumultuous, but he remained friends with all of his ex-wives.

Haggard's marriages were a major part of his life and career. They influenced his music, his career, and his personal life. His songs often reflected his experiences with love, loss, and redemption. Haggard's marriages also helped him to become a more well-rounded and compassionate person.

Haggard's legacy is one of resilience, creativity, and love. He was a true American icon, and his music continues to inspire and entertain people around the world.

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