While not a household name, Catherine Hawn captured Dean Martin’s heart in the early 1970s. Although she rarely made headlines, she played a key role in the life of this beloved Hollywood entertainer.
Ready to discover the story of a woman who chose privacy over fame?
Catherine Hawn
Catherine Hawn stepped into Hollywood’s spotlight when she married Dean Martin in 1973. Born on November 30, 1947, she was 25 when she married the 55-year-old star on April 25, 1973. Unlike typical Hollywood spouses, Catherine never chased fame. She worked as a receptionist at the Gene Shacove hair salon—a celebrity hotspot—before meeting Martin.
Her story breaks away from the usual Hollywood script. Never an actress or performer, Catherine worked behind the scenes, eventually helping manage aspects of her famous husband’s career. Their connection blossomed away from movie sets and recording studios, making their relationship different from typical showbiz marriages.
People often confuse Catherine with other entertainment figures. She’s not related to Goldie Hawn, nor should she be mistaken for actress Kathryn Hahn despite the similar name. Catherine built her quiet path through Hollywood’s chaos.
Publicist
Catherine built a career that prepared her for life next to celebrity culture before marrying Dean Martin. Starting at the Gene Shacove salon in Beverly Hills, she gained experience handling high-profile clients and the demands of serving Hollywood’s elite.
Her career evolved from managing salon appointments to tackling entertainment industry matters. Though details about her publicist work are limited, she helped manage aspects of Dean’s career throughout their marriage. This low-key role suited her well—she was more comfortable supporting others than being in the spotlight.
Catherine’s experience with celebrities from the service side gave her a unique perspective when she married one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Her work required discretion, organization, and people skills—perfect for navigating Hollywood’s complex social world.
Want to know the essentials about Catherine Hawn? Here are five key points that capture her story:
- Catherine was 26 years old when she married 55-year-old Dean Martin on April 25, 1973.
- Before meeting Martin, she worked as a receptionist at the Gene Shacove hair salon in Beverly Hills, a popular spot among Hollywood celebrities.
- Dean Martin adopted Catherine’s daughter, Sasha, integrating her into the Martin family during their marriage.
- Catherine and Dean’s marriage lasted just over three years, ending in divorce in 1976.
- Following her divorce, Catherine deliberately stepped away from public life, with her last known appearance being at Dean Martin’s funeral in 1995.
These facts paint the picture of a woman who briefly entered the celebrity world through marriage but ultimately chose privacy over public life.
From Receptionist to Celebrity Spouse
Catherine Hawn’s early years remain private, with little known about her childhood or family. Born around 1947, she grew up during America’s post-war optimism and cultural transformation.
While Dean Martin’s life fills countless books and documentaries, Catherine’s pre-Hollywood years remain mysterious. We know she eventually moved to Los Angeles, joining many young people attracted to California’s opportunities during the 1960s.
By the early 1970s, Catherine worked at the Gene Shacove salon in Beverly Hills. This wasn’t just any salon—it served as a gathering spot for Hollywood royalty, where staff regularly mingled with entertainment’s biggest names. Working there brought Catherine into contact with celebrities like Dean Martin, though fame wasn’t her goal.
Her career reflects a practical, service-oriented person who thrived behind the scenes. These traits shaped how she approached marriage to a major celebrity, supporting his career while keeping her own identity separate from the cameras.
Marriage to Dean Martin
Catherine and Dean’s story begins at the Gene Shacove salon, where the veteran entertainer met the young receptionist. Dean, twice divorced and father of seven, wasn’t seeking marriage when he met Catherine. Yet something about her caught his attention in ways Hollywood starlets never had.
They married on April 25, 1973, in a lavish ceremony at Dean Martin’s Bel Air residence, reportedly costing $50,000 to $100,000 (equivalent to over $300,000 today). The ceremony was small by Hollywood standards, honoring Catherine’s love of privacy and Dean’s dislike of media attention. At 26, Catherine became stepmother to Dean’s children, some nearly her age. Their 29-year age gap raised eyebrows, though such differences weren’t rare in Hollywood.
The couple settled into Dean’s Beverly Hills home during a pivotal time in his career. He had scaled back his hectic schedule as the Rat Pack era ended. While still performing regularly, he valued personal time more. This timing allowed for a quieter, more grounded relationship—something that wouldn’t have been possible during his Rat Pack heyday.
Catherine brought a quieter, more grounded energy to Dean’s world. Friends noticed him enjoying simpler pleasures during their marriage—golf by day and home-cooked meals instead of nightclubs. She embraced being both Dean’s wife and part of the larger Martin family, which now included her adopted daughter, Sasha.
Throughout their marriage, Catherine kept her professional identity while supporting Dean’s career. She helped manage aspects of his work life, bringing a fresh perspective to his established routines. Unlike many celebrity spouses who lose themselves in their partner’s fame, Catherine maintained her sense of self.
Their relationship coincided with Dean’s transition away from his earlier career pace. His NBC variety show ended in 1974, and though he continued performing, he increasingly cherished personal time. Catherine seemed to connect with this more relaxed version of Dean, away from stardom’s constant demands.
Life After Divorce
The Martin-Hawn marriage ended in November 1976 after just over three years. They filed divorce papers without public drama—rare for Hollywood breakups. Neither engaged in the tabloid battles typical of celebrity divorces. They cited ‘irreconcilable differences’—Hollywood’s go-to phrase that reveals little but says enough.
Why did they separate? The couple kept their struggles private. Some friends mentioned the age gap becoming an issue, while others noted Dean’s growing preference for solitude as he aged. Whatever their reasons, both handled their split with dignity and discretion.
Post-divorce, Catherine chose to leave the celebrity spotlight entirely. Unlike many ex-spouses of famous people who use that connection for attention, Catherine chose privacy. No tell-all books. No revealing interviews about life with Dean. No leveraging her former marriage for opportunities.
Catherine focused on raising her adopted daughter, Sasha, after the divorce. Motherhood seemed to set her apart from Hollywood’s glare. While Dean briefly married a fourth time before spending his final years single, Catherine embraced her independence.
For decades since their divorce, Catherine has kept such a low profile that current information about her life barely exists. Her absence from the spotlight isn’t a disappearance—it’s a conscious decision that reflects strength and self-respect.
The lack of post-divorce drama suggests Catherine and Dean maintained cordial relations. When Dean died on Christmas Day 1995, Catherine mourned him privately rather than seeking media attention during this difficult time.
Catherine Hawn Today
What happened to Catherine Hawn after her Hollywood moment? This question brings many searchers looking for information about Dean Martin’s third wife. The truth? Very little current information exists about Catherine—exactly how she wants it.
After divorcing Dean in 1976, Catherine chose to leave public life completely. This decision contrasts sharply with many celebrity ex-spouses who keep public profiles or use their connections for attention. Catherine picked a different route—one of privacy and normalcy.
Public records and reliable reports about Catherine’s current life simply don’t exist. The lack of public info is no accident but the result of her successful privacy campaign. For nearly five decades, she’s lived away from media attention and public scrutiny.
Some reports mention she raised her adopted daughter, Sasha, away from the spotlight, focusing on family rather than her brief Hollywood connection. Whether she remarried, pursued career goals, or found fulfillment elsewhere remains private, as she prefers.
Catherine’s retreat from the public eye doesn’t imply her life lacked purpose. Instead, it suggests she found value in experiences and relationships that needed no public validation.
For those wondering about Catherine today, perhaps the most respectful approach is acknowledging her right to privacy. Her decades of silence show she succeeded in building life on her terms, far from the celebrity machine that briefly touched her in the 1970s.
Summary
Catherine Hawn’s story isn’t one of Hollywood glamour or public achievement, but rather of deliberate choices and quiet dignity. Her brief marriage to Dean Martin from 1973 to 1976 brought her momentarily into the public eye, but her legacy lies in how gracefully she stepped away from that spotlight.
Beginning her career as a salon receptionist, Catherine wasn’t seeking fame when she met Dean Martin. Their marriage brought together a young woman starting her professional life and an established entertainer gradually stepping back from Hollywood’s demands. While their union lasted just over three years, they handled both their time together and their separation with remarkable privacy.
After their divorce, Catherine made the conscious choice to leave celebrity life behind entirely. Unlike many in similar positions, she didn’t leverage her connection to Dean for ongoing attention or opportunities. Instead, she focused on raising her adopted daughter, Sasha, and building a life defined by her own choices rather than her brief connection to fame.
Catherine’s legacy reminds us that privacy is a valid choice even in our sharing-obsessed culture. Her decision to step away from public life wasn’t a retreat but a reclamation of her personal story. In a world where many sell their privacy for a moment of attention, Catherine’s choice stands as a powerful alternative path.
