- Photo 1:
- Evening Standard
- Getty Images
- Photo 2:
- Gracenote
- Photo 3:
- Michael Ochs Archives
- Getty Images
Bob Dylan's Marriage and Relationship History
- Photo:
- Evening Standard
- Getty Images
Sara Dylan
Sara Dylan, now Sara Lownes, was born Shirley Marlin Noznisky, and was Bob Dylan's first wife. They met in late 1964 after the sudden and tragic death of Noznisky's previous husband. Married in 1965, Dylan's famous Blood on the Tracks album is said to be inspired by their tumultuous marriage. They divorced in June 1977. They had four children together, including film director Jesse Byron Dylan and singer-songwriter Jakob Dylan.
Sara Dylan, although primarily known as Bob Dylan's first wife, is remembered as his muse for some of his greatest works. Despite her fame through him, she's led a life very much away from the media, maintaining her privacy vehemently.
- Age: 85
- Birthplace: Wilmington, USA, Delaware
- Photo:
- Photo:
- David Livingston
- Getty Images
Carolyn Dennis
Carolyn Dennis was Bob Dylan's second wife whom he married in 1986. They met in 1978 when Dennis was chosen as a backing singer for Dylan's album, Street Legal and would continue to work together on subsequent tours and albums. They started dating sometime after Dylan's divorce from his first wife, and secretly had a child together, Desiree Gabrielle Dennis-Dylan, in 1986, the same year they got married. Sadly, their union didn't last and they divorced quietly in 1992.
Carolyn Dennis is an American singer and actor popularly known for participating in several of Bob Dylan's albums as a backing vocalist. She has also appeared in various church musicals and television series, showcasing her innate talent in music and acting.
- Age: 71
- Photo:
- Photo:
- Rowland Scherman
- Wikimedia Commons
Joan Baez was one of Bob Dylan's most famous lovers. The two folk music giants met at the Monterey Folk Festival in 1963, immediately hit it off and became inseparable. They frequently performed on stage together, and their love story had a significant influence on their respective music careers. However, their relationship ended in heartbreak around 1965.
Joan Baez is an iconic American singer, songwriter and activist, prominent in the folk revival of the 1960s. She is revered for her humanitarian efforts, and her music has always explored themes of social justice and change.
- Age: 84
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- Photo:
- Photo:
- Michael Ochs Archives
- Getty Images
Suze Rotolo and Bob Dylan were young lovers in the early 1960s. They met in July 1961, after one of Dylan's performances at a folk music festival in New York. The couple dated on-and-off for four years, with Dylan's increasing fame causing tension in their relationship. Rotolo also had a notable influence on Dylan's early songwriting, inspiring many of his protest songs. She is featured arm in arm with Dylan on the cover of his 1963 album, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan.
Suze Rotolo was an American artist, but she is best remembered as Bob Dylan's girlfriend who strongly influenced his early music. Rotolo also actively participated in the civil rights movement and was a considerable figure in the mid-20th century art scene.
- Age: Dec. at 67 (1943-2011)
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Photo:
- Photo:
- Gracenote
Mavis Staples, a powerhouse of American Gospel and R&B music, enjoyed a romantic relationship with Bob Dylan in the early 1960s. They met at a folk festival, and their shared interest in music was the basis of their attraction. Much to the delight of fans, they even discussed getting married, but it never came to fruition.
Mavis Staples is a celebrated American Gospel and R&B singer who was a prominent figure in the US civil rights movement. Her powerful voice combined with her commitment to social activism has made her an enduring icon in the music industry.
- Age: 85
- Birthplace: USA, Chicago, Illinois
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- Photo:
- Express
- Getty Images
Dana Gillespie, an English actress and singer, had a brief involvement with Bob Dylan in the early 1990s. Gillespie, who was already famous in her own right, met Dylan during a tour, and their connection was instant leading to a brief, but intense relationship.
Dana Gillespie is an acclaimed British actress and singer who has explored various music genres throughout her career. With a notable acting portfolio, Gillespie has also earned fame for her blues albums.
- Age: 75
- Birthplace: London, England, UK
- Photo:
- Photo:
- via Youtube
Chris O'Dell
Bob Dylan and Chris O'Dell dated in 1974, shortly after Dylan's separation from first wife, Sara. O'Dell, who was an employee of Dylan's manager, caught the singer's eye leading to a brief but intense affair.
Chris O'Dell is famous as a friend and assistant to many rock legends including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan. She has worked extensively in the music industry and written a memoir on her life in 2009 titled Miss O'Dell.
- Photo:
- Photo:
- Brad Elterman
- Getty Images
Sally Kirkland and Bob Dylan dated briefly in the early 1970s. They reportedly fell for each other during a party and began dating soon after. Despite the short-lived romance which lasted no more than a few months, the liaison did garner quite a bit of attention.
Sally Kirkland is an award-winning American actress and producer who has appeared in many Hollywood blockbusters. She is a former fashion model and actor of over 120 movies with a career that spans more than six decades.
- Age: 83
- Birthplace: New York, New York, USA
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Ruth Tyrangiel
Ruth Tyrangiel dated Bob Dylan on and off for over two decades, starting in the mid-1970s. Their relationship was rather tumultuous, often marked by periods of separation and reconciliation.
Ruth Tyrangiel is less known compared to Dylan's other partners, as she walked a life away from the public eye. Tyrangiel, a former lawyer, came to public attention mostly because of her long-running relationship with the iconic singer-songwriter.
Echo Helstrom
Echo Helstrom was Bob Dylan's girlfriend in Hibbing, Minnesota for a year while they were in high school. Helstrom introduced Dylan to a variety of early musical influences including '20s singer-songwriter, Jimmie Rodgers on 78 RPM records. She has been believed to be the inspiration behind the 1963 track, “Girl From the North Country,” although this has been disputed.
