The Two Wives Of Tito Jackson: The Tragic Untold Story Of Dee Dee Martes And His Final Marriage To Mizuki Matsui

The question of who Tito Jackson's wife was is a complex one, spanning decades, two significant marriages, and a heartbreaking tragedy. As of today, December 11, 2025, the conversation is framed by the recent passing of the legendary Jackson 5 member in September 2024, which brought renewed attention to his personal life and the women who were central to it. While his first marriage to Delores "Dee Dee" Martes is widely known for its connection to his famous sons and a shocking crime, his second marriage to Mizuki Matsui was a much more private affair that lasted until shortly before his death. The life of Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson, a co-founding member of The Jackson 5 and a prolific blues musician, was defined by music, family, and a series of high-profile, yet intensely private, relationships. The two women who held the title of "Tito Jackson's wife" each played a pivotal role in his life, shaping his legacy as both a father and a musician. To truly understand his romantic history, we must look at the full biography of the man and the two distinct chapters of his love life.

Tito Jackson: A Complete Biographical Profile

Tito Jackson, born into the legendary Jackson musical dynasty, maintained a career that spanned over six decades, transitioning from a global pop icon to a respected blues artist.

• Full Name: Toriano Adaryll Jackson
• Date of Birth: October 15, 1953
• Date of Death: September 15, 2024
• Age at Death: 70
• Place of Birth: Gary, Indiana, U.S.
• Cause of Death: Heart attack/Medical emergency
• Occupations: Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist
• Years Active: 1964–2024
• Famous For: Founding member of The Jackson 5 (later The Jacksons)
• Parents: Joe Jackson (Father), Katherine Jackson (Mother)
• Siblings: Rebbie, Jackie, La Toya, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael, Randy, Janet
• First Spouse: Delores "Dee Dee" Martes (m. 1972; div. 1988)
• Second Spouse: Mizuki Matsui (m. 2020; div. 2024)
• Children: Taj Jackson, Taryll Jackson, TJ Jackson (with Dee Dee Martes), and two others.

Delores "Dee Dee" Martes: The First Wife and A Family Tragedy

Delores Vilma Martes, affectionately known as "Dee Dee," was Tito Jackson's first wife and the mother of his three famous sons, who would go on to form the R&B group 3T. Their relationship began in the late 1960s, a time when The Jackson 5 was skyrocketing to fame, and their marriage was a cornerstone of Tito's early adult life.

The Jackson Dynasty's First Matriarch

Dee Dee Martes married Tito Jackson in June 1972 when she was 17 and he was 18, right out of high school. Their union lasted for 16 years, enduring the intense pressures of the music industry and the constant scrutiny faced by the Jackson family. During this time, she gave birth to their three sons:

• Taj Jackson (Toriano Adaryll Jackson Jr.)
• Taryll Jackson
• TJ Jackson (Tariano Adaryll Jackson)

These three brothers would later form the successful musical trio 3T, carrying on the family's melodic legacy. Despite their divorce in 1988, Dee Dee remained a devoted mother and a close figure in the Jackson family's orbit.

The Shocking Circumstances of Dee Dee's Death

The life of Dee Dee Martes came to a tragic and premature end in 1994. Her death was initially reported as an accidental drowning in a swimming pool at the home of her then-boyfriend, Don Bohana, in Ladera Heights, California. However, the case took a dark turn when an autopsy revealed evidence of "blunt force trauma," suggesting she had been assaulted before her death. Tito Jackson and his family relentlessly fought for justice, believing there was foul play involved. Their efforts, alongside the persistence of law enforcement, led to the reopening of the case. In a shocking development, Don Bohana was eventually convicted of second-degree murder in 1998, four years after Dee Dee's passing. This devastating event left a profound mark on Tito and his sons, who were forced to navigate their teenage years and early careers while grappling with the loss and the subsequent legal battle.

Mizuki Matsui: Tito Jackson's Recent and Lesser-Known Marriage

For many years after his divorce from Dee Dee Martes and her subsequent death, it was widely believed that Tito Jackson never remarried. However, recent, updated biographical information reveals that he did, in fact, enter into a second marriage, albeit one that was significantly more private and less publicized than his first.

The Final Chapter: Marriage to Mizuki Matsui

Tito Jackson married Mizuki Matsui in 2020. This relationship with the Japanese-born woman was a late-life partnership for Tito, who was in his mid-60s at the time. Mizuki Matsui, born in 1986, was significantly younger than the music veteran, and their union remained largely out of the public eye. The marriage was short-lived, with the couple divorcing in 2024, the same year Tito passed away. While details about the relationship are scarce, it is an essential part of his personal history, providing the most current answer to the question of who his wife was prior to his death. Mizuki Matsui is also listed as the mother of one of Tito's youngest children, Tariana Katherine Jackson, born in 2020, and sometimes associated with Rio Tito Joe Jackson, born in 2015, although the family tree details are often kept private. The discovery of this second marriage, which occurred so recently, is a key piece of information that reframes the narrative of Tito Jackson's romantic life, proving that the legendary guitarist found love again in his later years.

The Enduring Legacy of Tito Jackson's Family Life

Tito Jackson’s personal journey was a testament to his resilience. He navigated the immense pressure of being a Jackson, the devastation of his ex-wife's murder, and the responsibility of raising three sons who became successful artists in their own right. The central entities in Tito's life—Delores Martes and Mizuki Matsui—represent two distinct eras. Dee Dee Martes is remembered as the young love who mothered the next generation of Jackson musicians (3T), and her story is inextricably linked to a tragic fight for justice. Mizuki Matsui represents a quieter, final chapter of companionship and a late-life family addition. The ultimate legacy of Tito Jackson is not just his guitar work in The Jackson 5 or his solo blues career, but the strong family unit he built, which continues through his sons and grandchildren. The women he married were integral to that legacy, proving that even within one of the world's most famous families, love, loss, and new beginnings are the true rhythms of life. His death in September 2024 cemented his place in music history and brought his full, complicated, and loving life story into focus.