Who Is Catherine Hawn?: The Untold Story of Dean Martin’s Third Wife

Catherine Hawn may not be a household name, but for a brief time in the early 1970s, she stepped into the spotlight as the third wife of the legendary entertainer Dean Martin. Known for his velvety voice, timeless charm, and enduring career across music, film, and television, Martin’s personal life was often under scrutiny. Yet, unlike his more publicized relationships, his marriage to Catherine Hawn remains a lesser-known and intriguing chapter of his life. Their story is not just a tale of love and marriage in the shadow of fame; it’s a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of Hollywood relationships and the lives touched by them.

Though their marriage was relatively short-lived, Catherine Hawn became part of a cultural icon’s legacy. Who was she before meeting Dean Martin? What drew them together? And why did their relationship end almost as mysteriously as it began? In this article, we delve into Catherine Hawn’s background, her time with Dean Martin, and where life took her after the glitz and glamor faded away.

Quick Bio

Personal Details	Information
Full Name	Catherine Mae Hawn
Nickname	Cathy Hawn
Date of Birth	November 30, 1947
Age (as of 2025)	77 years old
Birthplace	Steubenville, Ohio, USA
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	White / Caucasian
Zodiac Sign	Sagittarius
Height	5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Weight	119 lbs (54 kg)
Eye Color	Brown
Hair Color	Blonde
Relationship Status	Divorced
Ex-Husband	Dean Martin (1973–1976)
Children	1 (Sasha, adopted by Dean)
Profession	Former receptionist, TV appearance
Net Worth (est.)	$2 million (unconfirmed)
Last Public Appearance	Dean Martin’s funeral in 1995
Related to Goldie?	No relation

Before the Spotlight: Catherine Hawn’s Early Life

Little is publicly documented about Catherine Hawn’s early life, which only adds to the mystique surrounding her. Born Catherine Mae Hawn in the United States, likely in the late 1940s, she lived a modest life away from the glitter of Hollywood. Before her marriage to Dean Martin, Catherine worked as a receptionist at a Beverly Hills hair salon. The salon was known to cater to many celebrities, providing her occasional access to the world of fame—but she remained largely outside the limelight.

There are no known acting credits, modeling gigs, or other public appearances attributed to her during this time, indicating she led a fairly private life. It’s this simplicity that perhaps appealed to Martin, a man who—despite his public persona—craved normalcy in his personal relationships. Catherine’s quiet grace and down-to-earth nature may have offered the seasoned entertainer a sense of calm and authenticity during a hectic period in his career.

Meeting Dean Martin: A Hollywood Fairy Tale

The story of how Catherine Hawn and Dean Martin met is somewhat shrouded in mystery, but it’s believed they were introduced through mutual friends in Beverly Hills, possibly at the salon where she worked. At the time, Martin had divorced his long-time second wife, Jeanne Biegger, with whom he shared three children and a widely photographed lifestyle.

Dean Martin was known for being a devoted father and, despite his tough Rat Pack image, often preferred nights at home over Hollywood parties. Hawn represented something different from the women Martin had previously been with—she wasn’t from the entertainment world, and she didn’t appear to be seeking fame.

Their courtship reportedly progressed quickly, surprising many in Martin’s inner circle. The allure of a “regular” woman who wasn’t jaded by Hollywood fame might have been refreshing for him. They married on April 25, 1973, in a modest yet elegant ceremony attended by a few family members and close friends.

Life as Dean Martin’s Wife

Once married, Catherine Hawn found herself suddenly thrust into the public eye, becoming part of the larger-than-life Dean Martin brand. With Martin continuing to perform and appear on television regularly, Hawn often accompanied him to events and was seen in the company of the biggest stars of the era.

Though she managed to maintain an air of grace and discretion, the adjustment must have been considerable. From being a salon receptionist to becoming the wife of one of America’s most iconic entertainers, the shift in lifestyle, attention, and pressure would have been immense. Yet, she seemed to handle it with quiet dignity, rarely engaging with the press or making statements to the media.

In addition to her marriage to Martin, Catherine also became a mother figure to his children. Notably, Martin adopted her daughter, Sasha, from a previous relationship, a gesture that reflected his commitment to creating a new family life.

Challenges in the Marriage: Fame, Pressure, and Distance

Despite their shared intentions, the relationship between Catherine Hawn and Dean Martin faced significant challenges. One major issue was Martin’s demanding career. Even though he was in the later stages of his entertainment journey, he was still performing regularly, making television appearances, and remaining active in Las Vegas and other venues.

The couple reportedly experienced strain from the lifestyle differences. While Hawn was not accustomed to the constant public attention and travel, Martin had been in the spotlight for decades. Additionally, rumors of distance between the couple and possible infidelities began to circulate, though neither party publicly addressed them.

Furthermore, Martin’s enduring relationship with his second wife, Jeanne, also remained a factor. Even after their divorce, Dean and Jeanne maintained a close friendship, which may have unintentionally created tension in his new marriage. Friends and biographers have noted that Martin never quite got over Jeanne, and the closeness between the two could have added stress to his marriage with Catherine.

The Quiet Divorce: A Sudden Ending

In 1976, after just three years of marriage, Catherine Hawn and Dean Martin quietly divorced. There was no scandalous headline or dramatic fallout—just a dignified and relatively private separation. The reasons were never officially made public, but speculation has suggested that lifestyle incompatibilities, lack of shared interests, and emotional distance played major roles.

Martin never remarried after his split from Hawn, and he spent the remainder of his life mostly out of the romantic limelight, focusing on his family, particularly his children. In contrast, Catherine Hawn disappeared almost entirely from public view following the divorce.

Her brief presence in the world of celebrity had ended as quietly as it began, with very little press coverage or personal disclosure. In many ways, she returned to the same level of anonymity she had lived in before becoming Dean Martin’s wife.

Life After Dean Martin: A Return to Privacy

After her divorce, Catherine Hawn remained largely out of the spotlight. Unlike many celebrity ex-wives, she never wrote a tell-all book, gave interviews, or attempted to capitalize on her past association with Martin. Her daughter Sasha, whom Martin had adopted, also maintained a low profile.

Whether she remarried or where she settled after the split is not publicly known. This remarkable level of discretion is rare in Hollywood relationships, especially those involving names as big as Dean Martin. It speaks to Catherine’s preference for privacy and possibly a desire to shield herself and her daughter from further public scrutiny.

While many may view her as a mere footnote in the biography of Dean Martin, her story is quietly compelling—a tale of a woman who stepped into and out of a dazzling spotlight with grace, leaving only a brief but notable imprint on one of Hollywood’s most famous lives.

Catherine Hawn’s Legacy and Public Curiosity

Even decades after the end of her marriage, Catherine Hawn remains a subject of curiosity for Dean Martin fans and pop culture historians. Her story is often cited in biographies and retrospectives about Martin’s life, always surrounded by an air of mystery due to the lack of available details.

She is remembered as a dignified figure, one who never sought to exploit her connection to a celebrity, and whose life offers a glimpse into what it means to be on the periphery of fame. In a world where many rush to share their stories, her silence speaks volumes.

Her time with Dean Martin may have been short, but it was significant. It marked the last chapter of Martin’s romantic life and stands as a quiet footnote to the glamorous yet turbulent reality of celebrity relationships.

Dean Martin and Catherine Hawn: A Contrast in Worlds

One of the reasons their marriage fascinates fans is the stark contrast between their worlds. Dean Martin, a man deeply embedded in showbiz, married a woman with no show business aspirations. Their union challenged the usual Hollywood narrative of two stars joining forces. Instead, it was a moment where a legendary figure sought solace in the arms of someone outside the bubble of fame.

While it didn’t last, it’s a story that adds another layer to understanding Dean Martin—not just as a performer, but as a man trying to find peace in the latter stages of his life. For Catherine, it was a brief moment when her world intersected with greatness—an experience few people ever have, and even fewer walk away from with grace and anonymity.

Conclusion: A Name Worth Remembering

Catherine Hawn may not be a celebrity, but her story is a fascinating chapter in the life of one. She represents the quiet side of fame—the part not filled with flashing cameras and tabloid headlines, but with real people, real emotions, and real challenges.

Her marriage to Dean Martin may have lasted only a few years, but her name remains forever linked to his legacy. While she chose to walk away from the spotlight, her story remains a poignant reminder of the many unseen figures who play roles in the lives of the famous. For all her mystery and modesty, Catherine Hawn is a name worth remembering.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is Catherine Hawn?

• Catherine Hawn is best known as the third wife of legendary entertainer Dean Martin. She was a former salon receptionist and lived a relatively private life both before and after her marriage.

2. When did Dean Martin and Catherine Hawn get married?

• They were married on April 25, 1973, in Beverly Hills, California.

3. Did Dean Martin and Catherine Hawn have children together?

• They did not have biological children together, but Dean Martin adopted Hawn’s daughter, Sasha.

4. Why did Dean Martin and Catherine Hawn divorce?

• While the couple never publicly discussed the reasons, it’s widely believed that lifestyle differences and emotional distance contributed to the separation.

5. What happened to Catherine Hawn after her divorce?

• After divorcing Dean Martin in 1976, Catherine Hawn withdrew from public life and has remained out of the spotlight ever since.