Jeanne Biegger: The Orange Bowl Queen Who Married Dean Martin
Jeanne Biegger, Born in Coral Gables, Florida. Named Orange Bowl Queen in 1947 at age 20. Went to a New Year’s Eve show at the Beachcomber Club in Miami in 1948 to see Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis perform. Dean spotted her in the audience from the stage. He was still married to his first wife Betty McDonald. He kept missing his lines because he couldn’t stop looking at her. After the show, he approached Jeanne and told her: “You’re the girl I’m going to marry.” One week after his divorce from Betty was finalized, Dean Martin married Jeanne Biegger on September 1, 1949. Their 24-year marriage produced three children. They divorced in 1973 amid “irreconcilable differences.” But they reconciled years later and remained connected until Dean’s death in 1995. Jeanne lived to age 89, dying just three weeks after her son Ricci passed away. Jeanne Biegger net worth was estimated at $1-5 million. But her real legacy was being the woman Dean Martin called the great love of his life.
JEANNE BIEGGER: COMPLETE FACTS
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dorothy Jean Biegger |
| Known As | Jeanne Biegger, Jeanne Martin |
| Born | March 27, 1927, Coral Gables, Florida |
| Died | August 24, 2016 (age 89) |
| Cause of Death | Cancer |
| Death Location | Beverly Hills, California |
| Career | Model, beauty queen, actress |
| Beauty Pageant | Orange Bowl Queen (1947) |
| Occupation | Model, occasional actress |
| First Marriage | Dean Martin (married September 1, 1949) |
| Divorce Date | 1973 (after 24 years) |
| Marriage Duration | 24 years (1949-1973) |
| Divorce Reason | Irreconcilable differences |
| Post-Divorce Relationship | Reconciled with Dean; remained close until his death |
| Children #1 | Dean Paul Martin (born November 17, 1951, died March 21, 1987 in plane crash) |
| Children #2 | Ricci Martin (born September 20, 1953, died August 3, 2016) |
| Children #3 | Gina Martin (born 1956) |
| Dean Martin’s Net Worth | $30 million (at death in 1995) |
| Jeanne Biegger Net Worth | $1-5 million (estimated) |
| How They Met | New Year’s Eve show at Beachcomber Club, Miami (1948) |
| Dean’s Status at Meeting | Still married to first wife Betty McDonald |
| Jerry Lewis Role | Best man at Dean and Jeanne’s wedding |
| Television Appearances | “The Dean Martin Show,” “I Love Lucy,” “The Jack Benny Program” |
| Film Appearances | “A Star Is Born” World Premiere (1954) |
| Documentary Features | “King of Cool” (2021), “SportsCentury” (1999), “E! True Hollywood Story” (1996) |
| Marriage Aftermath | Eventually reconciled with Dean Martin; never remarried |
| Father’s Profession | Unknown |
| Mother’s Profession | Unknown |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Heritage | American |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Recent Tragedy | Lost son Ricci in August 2016; died three weeks later in August 2016 |
The Beauty Queen Who Captured A Legend
Dorothy Jean Biegger was born March 27, 1927, in Coral Gables, Florida—a community in South Florida known for wealth and glamour. She grew up in this environment of privilege and style.
In 1947, at age 20, she was voted Orange Bowl Queen—a significant beauty pageant honor. She had beauty. She had presence. She was the kind of young woman who could succeed in modeling and entertainment if she chose.
She became a model. Built a career based on her striking appearance and charisma. Moved through Miami’s entertainment scene.
Then, in December 1948, she decided to attend a New Year’s Eve show at the Beachcomber Club in Miami. The entertainment featured Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis—the famous comedy duo at the height of their partnership.
The Moment That Changed Everything
According to legend, Dean Martin spotted Jeanne in the audience from the stage.
He was captivated. So completely distracted that he kept missing his lines. Jerry Lewis noticed. The show was suffering because Dean couldn’t stop staring at this woman in the audience.
But there was a complication: Dean Martin was still married to his first wife, Betty McDonald. A real marriage. Legal and binding.
Yet he was so smitten that after the show, he sought Jeanne out. He approached her with confidence that only a star could muster. He told her: “You’re the girl I’m going to marry.”
Jeanne was charmed. Despite being on a date with another man that evening, something sparked between them.
The Whirlwind That Became A Life
Dean Martin divorced Betty McDonald. The process was quick. Within one week of his divorce being finalized, Dean married Jeanne Biegger on September 1, 1949, in Beverly Hills. Jerry Lewis served as best man.
It was a romance story. A fairy tale. A beautiful beginning.
They had three children together: Dean Paul Martin (born 1951), Ricci Martin (born 1953), and Gina Martin (born 1956). A family built on that initial spark at the Beachcomber Club.
For 24 years, they remained married. They appeared together on television. Jeanne made guest appearances on “The Dean Martin Show.” She appeared on “I Love Lucy.” She was part of Dean’s public life.
The Divorce That Didn’t End The Story
In 1973, after 24 years of marriage, Dean and Jeanne divorced. The papers cited “irreconcilable differences”—legal language for: the marriage couldn’t continue.
But something extraordinary happened: they reconciled.
Years later, despite being divorced, they maintained their connection. Dean never remarried Jeanne, but they remained close. They remained connected emotionally.
When Dean died on December 25, 1995, Jeanne had lost the man she loved. But their bond had endured beyond marriage.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who was Jeanne Biegger?
A: Jeanne Biegger was an American model and Orange Bowl Queen (1947) best known as the second wife of entertainer Dean Martin, whom she married in 1949.
Q: When was Jeanne Biegger born?
A: Jeanne Biegger was born on March 27, 1927, in Coral Gables, Florida.
Q: When did Jeanne Biegger die?
A: Jeanne Biegger died on August 24, 2016, at age 89 from cancer in Beverly Hills, California.
Q: How did Jeanne Biegger meet Dean Martin?
A: Jeanne met Dean at a New Year’s Eve show at the Beachcomber Club in Miami in 1948. Dean spotted her in the audience and was so captivated that he reportedly kept missing his lines during the performance.
Q: When did Jeanne Biegger marry Dean Martin?
A: Jeanne married Dean Martin on September 1, 1949, in Beverly Hills, just one week after his divorce from his first wife Betty McDonald was finalized.
Q: How many children did Jeanne and Dean have? A: Jeanne and Dean had three children together: Dean Paul Martin, Ricci Martin, and Gina Martin.
Q: When did Jeanne Biegger divorce Dean Martin?
A: Jeanne and Dean divorced in 1973 after 24 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.
Q: Did Jeanne Biegger remarry after divorcing Dean Martin? A: No. Although they divorced in 1973, Jeanne and Dean reconciled and remained close until his death in 1995. They never remarried.
Q: What is Jeanne Biegger’s net worth?
A: Jeanne Biegger’s estimated net worth at death was $1-5 million.
Q: What television shows did Jeanne Biegger appear on?
A: Jeanne made appearances on “The Dean Martin Show,” “I Love Lucy,” and “The Jack Benny Program.”
