Myra Gale Brown’s name is often linked to one of the most shocking scandals in rock and roll history. At just 13 years old, she married her cousin, legendary musician Jerry Lee Lewis, who was 22 at the time. The revelation of their marriage nearly destroyed Lewis’s career and cast Myra into a media storm that would follow her for decades. However, beyond the headlines, Myra Gale Brown’s life is a story of resilience, personal growth, and success.
Early Life and the Start of a Controversial Union
Myra Gale Brown was born on July 11, 1944, in Vicksburg, Mississippi. She was raised in a conservative Southern family and moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1949. Her father, J.W. Brown, worked as a lineman before forming a band, where he invited his cousin, Jerry Lee Lewis, to join as a musician. Through this connection, Myra and Jerry first met.
In 1957, at the age of 13, Myra married Jerry Lee Lewis in Hernando, Mississippi. At the time, Jerry was 22 years old and already making waves in the music industry. What made the marriage even more controversial was that Jerry was still legally married to his previous wife when he wed Myra. The situation became a major scandal, especially when it was exposed during Jerry’s tour in England in 1958. The backlash was swift—his tour was canceled, radio stations banned his music, and his career took a significant hit.
The Fallout and Public Scrutiny
Upon returning to the United States, Myra and Jerry faced intense public criticism. The press portrayed Jerry as a predator and Myra as a naïve child bride. Despite the controversy, the couple remained together for over a decade. During their marriage, they had two children: Steve Allen Lewis, born in 1959, who tragically drowned at the age of three, and Phoebe Allen Lewis, born in 1963.
The marriage, however, was far from a fairy tale. Myra later revealed that her life with Jerry was filled with struggles, including infidelity, substance abuse, and emotional turmoil. As she grew older, she realized the impact of their relationship on her personal development. In 1970, after years of enduring a turbulent marriage, she filed for divorce, citing “every type of physical and mental abuse imaginable.”
Rebuilding a New Life
After divorcing Jerry Lee Lewis, Myra set out to establish her own identity. She briefly married Pete Malito, a private investigator she had hired, but the marriage lasted only a short time. Determined to move forward, Myra focused on building a career and raising her daughter, Phoebe, on her own.
In 1984, she married Richard Williams and started a successful real estate business in Atlanta, Georgia. Over time, Myra became a respected professional in her field, receiving accolades such as the Million Dollar Life Time Award in 2003. Her journey from a teenage bride thrust into scandal to an accomplished businesswoman is a testament to her resilience and determination.
Sharing Her Story
For many years, Myra remained silent about her past. However, in 1982, she co-authored the book Great Balls of Fire: The Uncensored Story of Jerry Lee Lewis, which provided an insider’s look into her life with the rock and roll icon. The book was later adapted into the 1989 film Great Balls of Fire!, starring Winona Ryder as Myra and Dennis Quaid as Jerry Lee Lewis. Although she appreciated the casting, Myra felt that she had little control over how her story was portrayed in the film.
In 2016, she decided to share her perspective in a more personal way by writing her memoir, The Spark That Survived. The book focuses not just on her marriage to Jerry Lee Lewis but also on the strength it took to reclaim her life. Through her writing, Myra wanted to shed light on her own identity rather than being defined solely by her past relationship.
Legacy and Life Today
Today, Myra Gale Brown, now known as Myra Lewis Williams, lives in Duluth, Georgia, with her husband, Richard. Together, they have built a fulfilling life, far removed from the chaos of the past. She remains proud of the resilience she developed over the years and continues to inspire others with her story.
Her journey is a powerful reminder that people are more than the controversies they are associated with. Myra’s life showcases the strength of a woman who refused to be defined by her past, proving that resilience and perseverance can lead to success and personal fulfillment.
Final Thoughts
Myra Gale Brown’s life is often overshadowed by the scandal of her early marriage, but her story is much more than just a footnote in rock and roll history. She is a survivor, a successful professional, and an author who has courageously told her truth. Her ability to overcome the challenges of her past serves as an inspiration to many, showing that with determination and self-belief, it is possible to build a meaningful and successful life beyond the headlines.
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