A Look Back at Country Music Icon Merle Haggard’s Marriages

Merle Haggard’s marriages each played a part in shaping the man behind the legendary country music career.  Country music icon Merle Haggard married four times before deciding his last wife, Theresa Ann Lane, was the perfect one. In fact, he said marrying her was the best decision he made. Learn more about Merle Haggard’s five marriages below!

Merle Haggard’s Marriages

Leona Hobbs:  Merle Haggard married Leona Hobbs at the age of 19. They stayed together for eight years and had four children: Dana, Marty, Kelly, and Noel. He wasn’t a country star at this point and got into some trouble with the law, but then he started singing in bars and scored his first hit, “Sing a Sad Song.”   Despite their initial devotion, Haggard’s early years were fraught with instability as he struggled to find his footing in life and music. This was also the period during which he served time in San Quentin Prison, an experience that profoundly influenced his songwriting. The marriage ended in 1964, as Haggard’s rising fame and personal demons put strain on the relationship.

Bonnie Owens: Two years after Haggard’s first hit in 1963, he married Bonnie Owens in 1965, who was recently divorced from fellow country singer Buck Owens. She eventually became one of Haggard’s backup singers and is said to have helped him become a country superstar. But then he started showing interest in Leona Williams, and he went back and forth between the two women. Owens eventually stopped coming home to him.  Bonnie helped nurture his early music and even assisted in raising his children from his first marriage. Despite their close partnership, the couple divorced in 1978. However, their bond endured, and Bonnie continued to work with Haggard professionally for many years.

Leona Williams: Haggard and Williams got married in October 1978, following his divorce earlier in the year. The couple started touring for their separate shows, but Haggard started a love triangle when his backup singer was also his ex-wife: Bonnie Owens. Haggard joked that he tried to avoid singing his hit “I’ve Got a Darlin’ (for a Wife)” because the audience may get confused about who he was referring to. Owens had been singing with him for most of his 19-year career at the time. Their union was built on shared musical interests, and they frequently collaborated on songs. However, their time together was short-lived, and the marriage ended in 1983. Haggard later admitted that his demanding career and personal struggles took a toll on their relationship.

Debbie Parret: Haggard married Debbie Parret in 1985, marking his 4th attempt at finding last love.  She is credited with co-writing his song “Thank You For Keeping My House,” which was on his Chill Factor album.  Unfortunately, this marriage also proved to be short-lived, ending in 1991. Little is publicly known about their time together, as Haggard tended to keep this chapter of his life more private.

Theresa Ann Lane:  He married his fifth wife, Theresa Ann Lane, on September 11, 1993.  Their love story starts with Lane’s mother, who convinced her daughter to see Haggard perform. Though it wasn’t love at first sight, it was the beginning of Haggard’s final love story. Initially, Lane was going back to Haggard’s guitarist Clint Strong’s room. However, Merle had eyes for her and asked his guitarist to go to the bus to get a guitar, and when Clint came back, Haggard wouldn’t let him back into the room. At the time of their marriage, she was in her 30s and he was in his 50s, so there was a significant age gap. They later had two children, Jenessa and Ben. Haggard was frequently mistaken to be his kid’s grandpa instead of their father. His marriage to Theresa was his longest marriage (23 years). Merle passed away on April 6, 2016, his 79th birthday, due to complications from pneumonia.

Merle Haggard’s five marriages paint a portrait of a man who was constantly searching for connection and understanding. His tumultuous relationships often mirrored the themes of heartbreak, redemption, and longing that defined his country music. Despite the challenges he faced in his personal life, Haggard’s ability to channel his experiences into his artistry left an indelible mark on country music history.

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