The Two Secret Wives Of Bob Dylan: An Inside Look At His Fiercely Guarded Marriages And Six Children

Bob Dylan, a Nobel laureate and one of the most enigmatic figures in music history, has always treated his private life as a fiercely guarded secret. The singer-songwriter’s relationships, particularly his two marriages, have been the subject of endless speculation, rumor, and musical inspiration for decades. As of late 2025, the public continues to piece together the truth about the women who stood beside the legend during his most transformative years.

The veil of secrecy surrounding Dylan's personal life is a deliberate choice, making the rare details that emerge all the more compelling. This deep dive explores the two official wives of the folk icon—Sara Lownds and Carolyn Dennis—the timeline of their relationships, the six children they share, and the lasting impact these women had on his art and legacy.

Bob Dylan: A Biographical Profile and Family Tree

To understand the women in his life, one must first look at the man himself. Bob Dylan's public persona is one of constant evolution, but his family life has remained a consistent anchor, albeit a hidden one, for much of his career.

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• Full Name: Robert Allen Zimmerman
• Born: May 24, 1941, in Duluth, Minnesota, U.S.
• Genres: Folk, Rock, Blues, Gospel, Country
• Notable Awards: Nobel Prize in Literature (2016), Presidential Medal of Freedom (2012), 10 Grammy Awards, Golden Globe, Academy Award.
• Wives:
  • Sara Lownds (Sara Dylan): Married November 22, 1965; Divorced June 29, 1977.
  • Carolyn Dennis (Carol Dennis-Dylan): Married June 4, 1986; Divorced October 1992 (Marriage kept secret until 2001).
• Children: Six in total (five with Sara Lownds/adopted, one with Carolyn Dennis).

Wife #1: Sara Lownds—The Muse Behind the Masterpiece

Sara Lownds, born Shirley Marlin Noznisky, was the first woman to officially marry the folk music revolutionary. Their relationship began in the mid-1960s, a period when Dylan was rapidly transitioning from acoustic folk to electric rock, forever changing the musical landscape.

The Secret Wedding and Family Life (1965–1977)

Sara, a former model and Playboy bunny, had a daughter, Maria, from her previous marriage to magazine photographer Hans Lownds. Dylan adopted Maria, and the couple went on to have four biological children: Jesse Byron Dylan (born 1966), Anna Dylan (born 1967), Samuel Dylan (born 1968), and the most famous of his children, Jakob Luke Dylan (born 1969), the lead singer of The Wallflowers.

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Their marriage was intensely private, taking place in a secret ceremony on November 22, 1965, a date only confirmed years later. Sara's presence is credited with grounding the often-chaotic life of the young star, providing a domestic stability that contrasted sharply with his public image.

The Immortalization in Song: "Sara"

The most enduring public testament to their relationship is the song "Sara," a track from the 1976 album *Desire*. The song is a raw, autobiographical plea for reconciliation written during the couple's turbulent separation. In a rare display of vulnerability, Dylan sings of their life together, referencing specific memories like "staying up for days in the Chelsea Hotel, writing 'Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands' for you." The song is a colossal ode to his wife and is considered one of his most personal compositions.

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The Bitter Divorce and Aftermath

The marriage dissolved in a bitter and public divorce finalized on June 29, 1977. Court documents at the time were sealed, but reports emerged that Sara filed for divorce, allegedly citing fear for her safety and mentioning his infidelity. The financial settlement was reportedly substantial, with Sara allegedly receiving a settlement of $36 million and half the royalties from all of Dylan's songs written between 1965 and 1977. Sara Lownds has maintained a fiercely private life since the divorce, avoiding the press and choosing to live out of the public spotlight.

Wife #2: Carolyn Dennis—The Secret Marriage That Shocked the World

Nearly a decade after his divorce from Sara, Bob Dylan entered into an even more secretive marriage with his backup singer, Carolyn Dennis, often known professionally as Carol Dennis. This relationship was so intensely private that the world did not learn of it until nearly a decade after the divorce.

A Career on Stage and Backstage

Carolyn Dennis is an accomplished American singer and performer. Her career included significant work as a backup vocalist for world-renowned artists, including a notable stint with Bruce Springsteen, in addition to her work with Dylan. She also has a background as a Broadway performer, demonstrating a life firmly rooted in the music and theater worlds.

The couple met around 1978, and Carolyn became a fixture on Dylan's tours, providing backing vocals from the late 1970s through the mid-1980s. Their daughter, Desiree Gabrielle Dennis-Dylan, was born in 1986. They married just five months later, on June 4, 1986.

The Unprecedented Secrecy and Public Revelation

The marriage to Carolyn Dennis was a deliberate effort to safeguard their personal lives from the intense public scrutiny that had plagued his first marriage. The union and subsequent divorce in 1992 were kept completely hidden, allowing Dylan to maintain his enigmatic persona and protect his family's privacy. The truth finally emerged in 2001 with the publication of Howard Sounes' biography, *Down the Highway: The Life of Bob Dylan*, which revealed the existence of the marriage and their daughter, Desiree.

The revelation of a second, secret wife and daughter sent shockwaves through the music world, highlighting just how successful Dylan had been in maintaining his fiercely guarded private life. The divorce was finalized in October 1992.

The Enduring Legacy of Dylan's Private Life

Bob Dylan is not currently in a publicly known relationship, maintaining the same level of privacy in his later years that he has throughout his career. While he has had other significant romantic partners, such as folk singer Joan Baez and artist Suze Rotolo—who famously appeared on the cover of *The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan*—Sara Lownds and Carolyn Dennis remain his only two wives.

The two marriages, though vastly different in their public profile, share a common thread: they inspired some of the most profound and personal work of his career and resulted in a large, talented family. From the wistful, desperate pleas of "Sara" to the quiet, almost unbelievable secrecy of his union with Carolyn Dennis, these relationships provide a rare window into the heart of a man who has otherwise chosen to remain a mystery. The narrative of Bob Dylan's life will forever be intertwined with the stories of the two wives who knew the man behind the music best.