Dean Martin, an iconic figure in show business known as “The King of Cool,” enjoyed a stellar career as a comedian, actor, and singer. Despite his charm and humor, he had a reputation for being an alcoholic. However, years after his death, Martin’s daughter revealed surprising truths about her father, challenging the public’s perception and suggesting that his image as an alcoholic was more of a carefully crafted persona than reality.
Dean Martin, known for always appearing on stage with a drink and cigarette and often perceived as a womanizer and playboy, was a member of Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack. However, his life was more complex than his public persona suggested. Martin faced numerous personal challenges, including losses and failed marriages, revealing a more nuanced and difficult life behind the scenes.
MARTIN’S FIRST MARRIAGE
Dean Martin married Elizabeth Anne “Betty” McDonald in 1941, and they had four children: Craig (1942), Claudia (1944), Gail (1945), and Deana (1948). However, their marriage ended in 1949 after eight years.
Reports revealed that the pair’s marriage ended due to various factors, including Betty’s rising problems with alcohol and Martin’s multiple affairs.
MARTIN’S LOVE LIFE AFTER THE DIVORCE
Shortly after his first divorce, Dean Martin married model and Orange Bowl Queen Jeanne Biegger. They met in 1948 at a New Year’s Eve show featuring Martin and Jerry Lewis in Miami. Born on March 27, 1927, Biegger later revealed to Nick Tosches that they locked eyes and fell “madly in love” from the moment they met.
On September 1, 1949, Dean Martin and Jeanne Biegger married in Beverly Hills and quickly became one of Hollywood’s most photographed couples. They enjoyed several blissful years together and had three children: Dean in 1951, Ricci in 1953, and Gina in 1956.
In addition to their three children, Jeanne Biegger also raised Dean Martin’s four children from his previous marriage, for whom he had won custody. Martin and Biegger’s marriage lasted over two decades, making it the singer’s longest marriage.
MARTIN AS A FATHER AND FAMILY MAN
Despite his reputation as a womanizer, Dean Martin valued family and prioritized being a great father. In a 2017 interview with Fox News, his daughter Deana praised her father, saying, “My dad would walk out in a tuxedo with a red pocket square. He would sing, and he was funny. He looked great, and the audience loved him. It was like magic. So I always wanted to be an entertainer.”
While Dean Martin was a fun and engaging father, he was also quite strict. His daughter Deana recalled his rules: “Make your bed, clean up, come home straight from school, do your homework, and be on time for dinner. If you don’t like it, there’s the door.” Despite his demanding schedule, Martin made a point to come home for dinner every evening, showing his dedication to family life.
Dean Martin loved his children so much that he preferred being at home with them over working or traveling. He rarely traveled and always wore a smile while playing games with his kids. His children eagerly anticipated his return whenever he had to go away for work.
