Annie Martell is well-known as John Denver’s ex-wife. However, there’s more to her life story than you realize.
What happened to Annie Martell after her divorce and the death of her ex-husband?
Discover Annie Martell’s contributions to music, social justice, and the environment. Learn about how she inspired the hit track Annie’s Song!
Who Is Annie Martell?
Annie Martell is an American singer, songwriter, and activist. Although her ex-husband’s work is more popular, Annie Martell is an inspiring figure in her own right.
She often worked with John Denver on various music and social activism projects. She also had a part in several documentaries.
You may know Annie Martell as the inspiration for Annie’s Song.
What Was Annie Martell’s Childhood Like?
Ann Marie Martell, or Annie Martell, was born on September 6, 1946, in Nicollet, Minnesota.
Growing up, Annie’s parents were avid music lovers. Because of this, she learned how to play the guitar and piano from a young age. She graduated from St. Peter High School in 1964.
Afterward, she attended Gustavus Adolphus College. This was where she earned her degree in art education.
Who Is John Denver?
John Denver is an American folk singer and songwriter with 14 gold and eight platinum albums. He reached international fame through his sentimental and calming music.
Aside from this, John Denver is an activist and humanitarian. He established foundations for animal welfare, human rights, and conservation.
Denver worked with UNICEF for two decades to eradicate world hunger.
Being an ex-airforce officer, John Denver knew how to fly planes. He built and flew planes as a hobby, which would later be the cause of his death.
How Did Annie Martell and John Denver Meet?
Annie Martell and John Denver met during the former’s sophom*ore year in college. John Denver’s group arrived on her campus to perform a musical.
In the Mobituaries with Mo Rocca podcast, Annie revealed that he fell in love with her at first sight. He wrote her a letter weeks later, expressing his desire to meet her again.
The pair met once more after a year. They had their first date at one of Denver’s concerts at Minnesota State University.
According to Annie, her parents instantly approved of John Denver. Only nine months later, the couple married on June 9, 1967, at First Lutheran Church in St. Peter!
Annie Martell and John Denver’s Married Life
Image source: Google
After the wedding, Annie and John Denver moved to Chicago for a brief time. The couple then stayed in Minnesota from 1968 to 1971.
This was when John Denver wrote his Songs Sunshine on My Shoulders and Leaving on a Jet Plane. The latter Song was about the hardships of leaving Annie so he could work.
In 1971, they went on to live in Aspen, Colorado. Around this time, John Denver split from his group and began his solo career.
Sadly, problems arose as John Denver gained popularity. Annie divorced Denver in 1982 following his constant affairs. Their marriage lasted for only 15 years.
Annie Martell and John Denver’s Joint Work
Below are some of Annie Martell and John Denver’s accomplishments!
- Environmental Activism: The couple was one of the first artists to support the environmental movement. They founded the Windstar Foundation in 1976 to advocate for sustainability.
- Fundraisers: Annie and John organized concerts for the Hunger Project and Amnesty International. They performed at the Tibetan Freedom Concert in 1997.
- Songwriting: Martell inspired and performed many songs with John Denver.
Annie Martell and John Denver’s Children
Image source: Google
Annie Martell and John Denver struggled to have kids of their own. As a result, they adopted two children， Zachary John, one-quarter Cherokee, and Japanese-American Anna Kate.
Their son, Zachary John, appeared on the 2013 TV show John Denver: Country Boy. He also attended the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony to honor his father in 2014.
Meanwhile, their daughter, Anna Kate Deutschendorf, recently married and moved to New Zealand.
How Did Annie Martell Inspire John Denver?
Annie Martell was the inspiration for the 1974 hit Annie’s Song. This is one of John Denver’s top songs, becoming number one on the Billboard Top 100 for two weeks.
Martell says John Denver wrote the Song for her after one of their fights. He left to go skiing on Aspen Mountain, and inspiration came while sitting in a chair lift.
In his autobiography, John Denver recounts how he wrote the Song.
After the fight, the beauty of the mountain suddenly filled his senses. He finished the Song within ten minutes and gave it to Martell upon his return.
Annie’s Song is an embodiment of his love for his wife.
Why Did Annie Martell and John Denver Separate?
Annie Martell and John Denver split in 1982, a few years after they released Annie’s Song. The reason for the split was their immaturity and fights about Denver’s fame.
During the divorce, John Denver was so distraught that he cut their marital bed in half with a chainsaw. Despite this, he says he still loved Annie.
The two remained friends even after Denver re-married. The singer always sent Annie Martell flowers on her birthday and Mother’s Day.
John Denver’s Second Marriage
Image source: Pinterest
John Denver married the Australian actress Cassandra Delaney in 1988. Together, they had a daughter named Jesse Belle Deutschendorf.
Jesse Belle now works as an artist and jeweler. You can see some of her artwork on her Instagram!
John Denver’s Death
Unfortunately, John Denver passed away in 1997 at only 53 years old.
Although a licensed pilot, he got into an accident while flying his handmade experimental plane over the California coast.
His legacy includes hit songs like Leaving on a Jet Plane and Country Roads.
Annie Martell’s Advocacy
After John Denver’s death, Annie Martell’s environmental passion didn’t wane. These are some of the inspirational movements she supported.
- Animal Rights: Annie helped establish the Friends of the Aspen Animal Shelter. Here, she worked to improve the lives of animals.
- Eco Parks: Annie Martell established the John Denver Sanctuary. This is a public park in honor of her ex-husband in Aspen, Colorado.
- Children’s Rights: Annie Martell was the chairwoman of the benefit concert for the Children’s Home Society in 1982.
Annie Martell’s Other Projects
Here are a few of Annie Martell’s achievements in the entertainment industry.
- TV Documentaries: Annie Martell was in the 2005 special A Song’s Best Friend: John Denver Remembered. She was also in John Denver: Country Boy and Mobituaries with Mo Rocca.
- Solo Album: In 1972, Annie released her solo album, A Flower Grows in Stone. The album contained covers of folk songs and a few original tracks.
Where Is Annie Martell Now?
Today, Annie Martell is 77 years old and lives a quiet life away from the spotlight.
She still remembers her ex-husband and their time together whenever she heard one of his songs.
Conclusion
Annie Martell is a talented artist, humanitarian, and activist. She’s a beloved mother, friend, and ex-wife to John Denver.
She helped many children and animals throughout her life. Hits like Annie’s Song and Leaving on a Jet Plane would not exist without her.
She’s truly an inspiration for people around the world!
Tags: Personality
