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How Jerry Lee Lewis Ruined His Career with His 13-Year-Old Cousin Marriage

Jerry Lee Lewis, one of rock and roll’s most influential figures, was known for his electrifying performances and unforgettable hits like Great Balls of Fire and Breathless. His career, which spanned decades, was full of ups and downs, but one controversial decision would dramatically change the course of his life and career forever. This decision came in 1957 when he married his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Gale Brown.

The Shocking Marriage That Sparked Outrage

At the time of their marriage, Jerry Lee Lewis was 22 years old, and Myra Gale Brown was just 13. The marriage caused an immediate and enormous scandal, not only in the U.S. but internationally. In fact, it led to boycotts of his music, a blacklisting at music venues, and a dramatic drop in appearance fees, from $10,000 per night to just $250. The controversy overshadowed his career and severely damaged his reputation.

The couple wed on December 12, 1957, and the news of their marriage quickly became public. Myra, still believing in Santa Claus, was nearly nine years younger than Jerry Lee, and the age difference caused widespread shock. To add to the controversy, when they traveled to England for Jerry Lee’s first European tour, he misled the British press, claiming Myra was 15 years old. However, when the truth came out, the media called him a “cradle robber” and “baby snatcher,” with some even calling for his deportation.

The Backlash and Fallout

The scandal didn’t just stay in the UK; it followed Jerry Lee Lewis back to the U.S. The media scrutiny continued, and his professional career suffered greatly. His second marriage to Jane Mitchum had not been fully finalized before he wed Myra, which led to additional controversy when they eventually remarried in 1958. Even so, the public’s perception of him was forever tarnished.

Despite the scandal, Jerry Lee Lewis continued to make music and had a family with Myra, including two children: Steve and Phoebe. But the marriage, plagued by controversy, was far from a happy one. In 1970, Myra filed for divorce, citing adultery and abuse, claiming that she had endured “every type of physical and mental abuse imaginable.”

Jerry Lee Lewis’s Later Marriages and Life

Jerry Lee Lewis went on to marry four more times, with his final wife, Judith Lewis, being the ex-wife of Myra’s brother. Despite the ups and downs of his personal life, his influence on rock and roll remained significant. However, his career never fully recovered from the damage caused by the 1957 scandal, and his reputation remained tainted by the decision to marry his young cousin.

A Legacy of Controversy

Jerry Lee Lewis’s story is one of incredible talent and fame marred by a controversial personal life. While his contributions to rock and roll are undeniable, the decision to marry a 13-year-old cousin would forever be part of his complicated legacy. Despite the scandal, his music continues to live on, but his career will always be overshadowed by that one decision.

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There is a photograph of Lisa Marie Presley at Graceland that seems to hold an entire lifetime within a single moment. Shared years later by Linda Thompson, it shows a little girl whose smile is untouched by the weight of the future. She looks peaceful, curious, and completely at home. Looking at the image today, it is easy to forget that she was the daughter of the most famous entertainer in the world. In that moment, she is simply a child wrapped in the quiet safety of her father’s love.

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