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Explore Bob Dylan’s ultra-private love life, from his marriage to Sara Lownds to the ‘heartbreak’ he experienced with Joan Baez.Linh

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Bob Dylan is the subject of upcoming biopic, A Complete Unknown

Bob Dylan’s personal life is coming into the spotlight following the trailer for a biopic of his life, A Complete Unknown, starring Timothée Chalamet. 

The “Tambourine Man” singer has lived a storied life, more than worthy of a film recognizing his achievements. But as fans look back through his songs and his personal life, many people have wondered about his personal relationships.

Bob Dylan performs on a double bill with Neil Young at Hyde Park on July 12, 2019 in London, England© Dave J Hogan
Bob Dylan performs on a double bill with Neil Young at Hyde Park on July 12, 2019 in London, England

Bob, 83, has had a number of significant others — perhaps his most high profile partner was fellow folk singer Joan Baez, best known for her song “Diamonds & Rust.”

But he’s also had six children with two women: five with Sara Lownds, and one with his backing singer Carolyn Dennis.

Here’s all you need to know about Bob Dylan’s relationships.

Suze Rotolo

Bob Dylan holding his acoustic guitar and his girlfriend Suze Rotolo pose for a portrait in September 1961 in New York City, New York.© Michael Ochs Archives
Bob Dylan holding his acoustic guitar and his girlfriend Suze Rotolo pose for a portrait in September 1961 in New York City, New York.

Bob’s first serious relationship was with Suze Rotolo, an artist and daughter of Communist Party USA radicals. Her face may be familiar to fans, as she was photographed arm-in-arm with the singer on the cover of his record The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. Many believe that she inspired some of his early love songs, such as “Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right.” The couple broke up in 1964.

The cover for the Bob Dylan album 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan', released by Columbia Records in 1963. The cover features Dylan and his girlfriend Suze Rotolo walking near their apartment in Greenwich Village, New York City.© Blank Archives
The cover for the Bob Dylan album ‘The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan’, released by Columbia Records in 1963. The cover features Dylan and his girlfriend Suze Rotolo walking near their apartment in Greenwich Village, New York City.

Carolyn Dennis

Singer Carolyn Dennis married Bob Dylan© David Livingston
Singer Carolyn Dennis married Bob Dylan

The “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” singer married his backing singer Carolyn Dennis on June 4, 1986, six months after welcoming a daughter, Desiree Gabrielle Dennis-Dylan.

News of their relationship only became public when Howard Sounes released his biography of Bob in 2001, although Carolyn disputed certain statements made about their relationship in the book — specifically those alleging that the singer was an absent father.

Desiree Dylan in a Mickey Mouse t-shirt© @desidennisdylan
Desiree is Bob’s youngest child

She explained that they took advantage of a California law that allowed them to seal their marriage certificate, which is why Bob was not listed as the father on Desiree’s birth certificate. The former couple decided that Desiree could choose to take her father’s surname when she was mature enough to decide, which she did as a teenager.

“To portray Bob as ‘hiding his daughter’ is just malicious and ridiculous,” Carolyn said. “That is something he would never do. Bob has been a wonderful, active father to Desiree.”