In 1957, 13-year-old Myra Gale Brown married 22-year-old Jerry Lee Lewis in Hernando, Mississippi, a union that nearly ruined his career. Lewis had been married twice before, and controversy erupted when it was revealed that Myra was his third cousin and that he had remarried before finalizing his previous divorce.
Her father, J.W. Brown, was Lewis’ cousin and bandmate. Myra, unaware of any issue with their relationship, later stated she felt ready for marriage. At the time, Elvis Presley was dating 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu, making relationships with young girls seemingly common in rock & roll.
After their marriage, Lewis planned a tour in England to boost his career, but the British press exposed Myra’s true age, sparking outrage. The public labeled him a “cradle robber,” forcing the tour’s cancellation. Returning to the U.S. didn’t help, as the backlash continued. His earnings plummeted, and his career suffered, despite later success in country music.
Myra and Lewis had two children before divorcing in 1970 but remained on good terms. She later blamed the media for sensationalizing their relationship, believing rock & roll was already under attack, and she had simply given critics more ammunition.
