The Two Secret Wives Of Bob Dylan: Where Are Sara Lownds And Carolyn Dennis Now In 2025?
Bob Dylan, the Nobel laureate and folk music icon, has always been as fiercely protective of his private life as he is of his artistic integrity. While his music is an open book of poetic introspection, his romantic history remains one of the greatest enigmas in rock and roll history, leading millions to search for the truth about "Bob Dylan's wife." As of the current date in late 2025, the legendary singer is not publicly married, but his life was profoundly shaped by two women who officially held the title of Mrs. Dylan: Sara Lownds and Carolyn Dennis.
This deep dive into the legendary artist's most significant relationships uncovers the biographies of the two women who inspired some of his most personal work, details the extraordinary secrecy of his second marriage, and reveals what both Sara Lownds and Carolyn Dennis are doing today, decades after their divorces.
The Complete Biographies of Bob Dylan's Wives
Bob Dylan was married twice, with both marriages remaining largely out of the public eye until years after they began. The two women, Sara Lownds and Carolyn Dennis, represent two distinct eras of his career, from the mid-60s folk-rock explosion to his gospel-influenced period.
Sara Lownds (First Wife)
- Birth Name: Shirley Marlin Noznisky
- Born: October 28, 1939
- Place of Birth: Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.
- Occupation: Former model and actress.
- First Marriage: Married magazine photographer Hans Lownds in 1959, which is where she took the name Sara Lownds.
- Meeting Dylan: Introduced to Bob Dylan in 1964 by their mutual friend, Sally Grossman, the wife of Dylan’s manager Albert Grossman.
- Marriage to Dylan: November 22, 1965 (Secret ceremony).
- Divorce from Dylan: June 19, 1977.
- Children with Dylan: Five children, including one daughter from her previous marriage (Maria Lownds, adopted by Dylan) and four biological children: Jesse, Anna, Sam, and Jakob Dylan.
- Immortalized In: The 1976 song "Sara" from the album Desire.
Carolyn Dennis (Second Wife)
- Birth Name: Carolyn Dennis (sometimes known professionally as Carol Dennis or Carol Dennis-Dylan).
- Born: April 12, 1954.
- Occupation: American singer, actress, and backup vocalist.
- Meeting Dylan: Met while working as a backup singer for Bob Dylan during his tours in the 1980s.
- Marriage to Dylan: June 4, 1986 (Secret ceremony).
- Divorce from Dylan: October 1992.
- Children with Dylan: One daughter, Desiree Gabrielle Dennis-Dylan, born on January 31, 1986.
- Public Revelation: The marriage and the existence of their daughter were kept secret for years, only becoming public knowledge in 2001 with the publication of Howard Sounes’ biography, Down the Highway.
The Enduring Mystery of Sara Lownds: The "Sad-Eyed Lady"
Sara Lownds, often referred to as the "Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" (though Dylan has denied the song is about her), was the muse for some of Dylan’s most celebrated and emotional work, including the song "Sara" itself, a raw and beautiful plea for reconciliation written during their separation.
Their life together in Woodstock, New York, was an attempt at domestic tranquility in the eye of the counterculture storm. They raised their children—Maria, Jesse, Anna, Sam, and future Wallflowers frontman Jakob Dylan—in relative privacy.
The marriage began to crumble during the turbulent Rolling Thunder Revue tour in the mid-1970s, which was heavily documented in the film Renaldo and Clara, featuring Sara in a major role. The subsequent divorce in 1977 was acrimonious, and Sara reportedly received a substantial settlement, including a share of the royalties from Dylan's songs written between 1965 and 1977.
Current Status: Sara Lownds, now in her mid-80s, has maintained an extremely private life since the divorce. She reportedly resides in the Beverly Hills area of Los Angeles, close to many of her children, who are now accomplished professionals in their own right, including director Jesse Dylan and musician Jakob Dylan. She has made no significant public statements or appearances in decades, choosing a life of quiet anonymity away from the spotlight that consumed her younger years.
Carolyn Dennis: The Secret Marriage and a Resurgent Career
The relationship between Bob Dylan and Carolyn Dennis (also known as Carol Dennis-Dylan) was defined by its secrecy. They met when Dennis was a backup singer on Dylan's tours, a collaboration that led to marriage and a daughter, Desiree Gabrielle Dennis-Dylan, all of which were unknown to the public for nearly 15 years.
The marriage, which lasted from 1986 to 1992, demonstrated Dylan's extreme commitment to protecting his family’s privacy following the media frenzy that surrounded his divorce from Sara Lownds. The revelation of the marriage in 2001 was a major shock to the music world, confirming that Dylan’s personal life was far more complicated and guarded than anyone had suspected.
Current Status (2025 Update): Unlike Sara, Carolyn Dennis has remained active in the entertainment industry, particularly in music and theater. She is a highly accomplished singer whose work extends far beyond her time with Dylan.
In a significant and recent update, Carolyn Dennis has continued her career as an actress and vocalist, with her work being recognized in the theater world. She was notably associated with the 2024 Helen Hayes Awards, receiving a nomination for her role in the musical SPAMALOT, and also had a role in the 2024 production You're Not There. This recent activity confirms her ongoing and successful career, demonstrating that she is a notable artist in her own right, separate from her famous ex-husband. Her daughter with Dylan, Desiree Gabrielle, also maintains a very low profile, reflecting the family's shared desire for privacy.
The Question of a Current Wife and Other Significant Partners
The question of "Who is Bob Dylan's current wife?" is a common search query, but the answer remains consistent with his lifelong commitment to privacy. As of 2025, Bob Dylan is not in a publicly known relationship, and if he has a current wife or partner, he is successfully keeping the details out of the spotlight.
However, no discussion of Dylan's romantic life is complete without mentioning a few other key entities:
- Joan Baez: The folk queen was one of Dylan’s earliest and most famous lovers. They met in 1963, forming a powerful musical and romantic partnership that defined the early folk revival era.
- Clydie King: A legendary soul and gospel singer, Clydie King was Dylan's "ultimate singing partner" and a frequent collaborator throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Rumors circulated in the late 1990s that Dylan may have been secretly married to King and had two children with her, though this has never been officially confirmed by Dylan himself. King passed away in 2019.
The enduring fascination with Bob Dylan’s wives and partners is a testament to the power of his songwriting. He wove his personal life into his art, leaving behind just enough breadcrumbs—in songs like "Sara," "Love Minus Zero/No Limit," and "Isis"—to ensure that the public’s curiosity about the women who stood behind the legend will never truly fade.
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