Annie Martell is known worldwide as the ex-wife of the late country singer John Denver. Here’s everything we know about her and what she has been up to.
As a celebrity wife, the fame and attention comes without having to look for it or do too much. The same can be said for Annie Martell, who burst into the limelight thanks to her marriage to John Denver.
She enjoyed a lot of media attention when she married him, and it only increased during their divorce and afterward. Fans have been curious about her life story and what she has been up to after her divorce from John, and in this article, we bring you all the answers.
Keep reading to learn more about Annie Martell and her life as a celebrity ex-wife.
Who Is Annie Martell Denver?
Annie Martel Denver is the famous ex-celebrity wife of world-renowned country singer John Denver. She came into this world on September 6, 1946, in Nicollet, Minnesota, making her an American citizen.
Annie is 77 as of 2023, and her deceased parents were Jim and Norma Martell. Her parents were strong advocates for proper education and put her in school as soon as she came of age. Annie had her early education in a neighborhood school in her hometown and attended a high school there.
After completing high school, she enrolled at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, for a degree that has remained undisclosed.
Annie Martell’s Family
Annie grew up in a family of seven, consisting of her parents and three siblings, in Minnesota, where they spent most of their lives. Her siblings are Teri, Linda Nelson, and Ben Martell. Most details about her siblings are yet to be discovered, but it is confirmed that Linda Nelson has a husband named Kirk, while Ben has a wife named Kelly.
The Martell family is Christian with strong beliefs and traditions, which they practice to date. Her parents had a strong marriage, which lasted for 65 years!
Norma Martell
Norma, Annie’s mom, was a native of Le Sueur, Minnesota, born on April 1, 1923. Her parents were William and Ida Ziebarth, also native residents of Minnesota.
Sadly, Norma died on October 22, 2008, at 84, due to natural causes in her hometown. At the time of her death, she was happily married to Annie’s father for 65 years, following their marriage in 1943.
Jim Martell
Annie’s father, Eldon James “Jim” Martell, was a native of Waterloo, Iowa. He was born on December 27, 1923, and passed away on March 14, 2014, six years after his wife’s death. Jim worked in the hospitality industry for over 50 years as his parents had a restaurant when he was younger, and he grew up to open his restaurant as well.
Jim and his wife, Norma, had a diner, which they named Holiday House, located just outside St. Peter, along the river. Their restaurant was successful, and this was where Annie celebrated her wedding reception with the late singer (her ex-husband) John Denver.
Annie Martell and John Denver’s Marriage
Annie met John Denver in 1966 when she was just a sophomore at Gustavus Adolphus College. At that time, John was a part of the music group The Chad Mitchell Trio and was performing a gig at her college. He sighted the young Annie and reportedly fell head over heels with her.
However, Annie did not make it easy for John to get her. He persistently chased her, and a year after they first met, the couple had their first date. The late country singer proposed to Annie later that same year but got a ‘No’ as his response.
Not long after, Annie decided to marry the “Take Me Home, Country Roads” singer, much to his delight. As expected, the couple didn’t take long to take the next big step in their marriage. On June 9, 1967, they married in an elaborate yet private wedding.
In 1975, John released a song titled “Annie’s Song,” which he dedicated to his wife for being his muse. Surprisingly, John composed the ding in just 10 minutes while on a Colorado ski lift. The song became number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and an anthem for lovers worldwide.
The couple’s marriage seemed perfect until it wasn’t when they divorced in 1982, after 15 years together. They shared two adopted kids and remained good friends and co-parents after their divorce.
Who Is Annie Martell Married to Now?
Annie has kept most of her life private and rarely reveals personal information. Because of this, whether she remarried or remained single is still undetermined. The celebrity ex-wife now lives a quiet life in Minnesota, where she spends time with her family.