Remembering Pete Rose: Family, Marriages, and Legacy of Baseball’s Hit King
3 min read
Getty Images
Pete Rose, the legendary Major League Baseball player known as “Charlie Hustle,” led a life filled with professional success and personal challenges. Beyond his historic achievements on the field, his family life also drew significant attention. Rose, who passed away at age 83, was married twice and fathered five children. Here’s a look at his family, including his ex-wives Karolyn Englehardt and Carol J Woliung, and his children.
First Wife: Karolyn Englehardt
Pete Rose married his first wife, Karolyn Englehardt, on January 25, 1964, during the early years of his baseball career. The couple had two children together. Their daughter, Fawn, was born in 1964, the same year Pete was gaining prominence in Major League Baseball. Fourteen years later, in 1978, their son, Pete Rose Jr., was born.
Rest in Peace to the Hit King Pete Rose pic.twitter.com/baaomGLs5c
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 30, 2024
Pete Rose Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps, making his own journey into professional baseball. He played briefly in MLB, debuting for the Cincinnati Reds in 1997. Though his career never reached the heights of his father’s, he made headlines in his own right. Pete and Karolyn’s marriage eventually ended, and the two divorced in 1980 after 16 years together.
Second Wife: Carol J Woliung
After divorcing Karolyn, Rose married Carol J Woliung in 1984. They, too, had two children. Their son Tyler was born in 1984, followed by their daughter Cara in 1989. Tyler Rose, named after Pete Rose’s baseball hero Ty Cobb, has stayed mostly out of the public eye, while Cara Rose has also maintained a relatively private life.
Pete and Carol’s marriage lasted longer than his first, but it eventually ended in divorce in 2011, after nearly 27 years together. Despite the split, Carol remained a significant part of Pete’s life during much of his post-baseball career and his subsequent legal and personal controversies.
A good look of Pete Rose’s head first slide.
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) September 30, 2024
Rest easy pic.twitter.com/1VJawisMKq
In addition to the four children he had with his two ex-wives, Pete Rose is also the father of Morgan Erin Rubio, born as the result of a relationship outside of marriage. In 1978, two years before his divorce from Karolyn, a paternity suit was filed, claiming that Rose was the father of Rubio. In 1996, Rose acknowledged her as his child as part of a settlement lawsuit.
Rose’s Legacy and Family Bonds
Despite the controversies that surrounded Pete Rose’s personal and professional life, including his lifetime ban from Major League Baseball for gambling, he maintained strong bonds with many of his children. His son, Pete Rose Jr., spoke openly about his admiration for his father and the challenges of living in his shadow. Rose’s children also played significant roles in his life milestones, particularly when he broke Ty Cobb’s all-time hits record in 1985. At that momentous game, Pete Jr. was present, and Rose expressed his hope that his son would surpass him someday in baseball accomplishments.
A Complex Life and Legacy
Pete Rose’s life was as multifaceted as his career. While his baseball records, including the all-time hits record, remain unbroken, his off-field life was filled with ups and downs, from legal battles to family matters. Both of his marriages to Karolyn Englehardt and Carol J Woliung were significant chapters in his life, as were his relationships with his five children. Despite his controversial legacy, Pete Rose’s family, especially his children, remained a central part of his story until the end of his life.
Rest in Peace, Pete Rose. pic.twitter.com/EdudiE4leP
— Brian Lynch (@BrianLynch) September 30, 2024
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
