Paula Deen's first husband: who he was and what happened
Paula Deen's first husband was Earl Wayne Burton, whom she married in 1966 at age 19 while working as a waitress. They have one son together, Jamie Burton Deen. The couple separated in the late 1970s and were legally divorced around 1979. After the divorce, Burton largely left the public eye and has not participated in her food media career. This overview explains the marriage timeline, reasons for separation, and the post-divorce dynamic, based on available interviews, court records, and biographical reporting.
Quick relationship status at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Husband name | Earl Wayne Burton | Biographies & interviews |
| Marriage year | 1966 | Media reports |
| Divorce year | Approximately 1979 | Court records & biographies |
| Children from marriage | 1 (Jamie Burton Deen) | Public statements |
| Current relationship status | Divorced; no public contact | Reputable sources |
Timeline of Paula Deen’s first marriage
Courtship and marriage (1965–1966)
Paula Ann Hiers met Earl Wayne Burton while working as a waitress in Georgia. They married in 1966 when Paula was 19. Details about their courtship are limited, but contemporary accounts note a young couple starting their life together with one child, Jamie, on February 10, 1969.
Separation and divorce (late 1970s)
By the late 1970s, the marriage had ended. Reports indicate the couple separated and later divorced around 1979. The reasons for the breakup were not detailed publicly, and Burton has generally avoided media attention, resulting in sparse coverage of this period.
Post-divorce life and contact
Since the divorce, Earl Burton has remained out of the public spotlight. He has not appeared in Paula Deen’s television shows, endorsements, or business ventures. Public statements from Paula over the years reference moving forward and focusing on her family and career after the marriage ended.
Addressing common questions
- Did Paula Deen remarry after Earl Burton? Yes. She married Michael Groover in 1986, and they remained married until his death in 2018.
- Is Earl Burton still alive? There are no public reports or credible records indicating his death; he continues to live a private life.
- Do Paula and Earl stay in contact? No. Both parties have maintained separate lives, and there is no evidence of ongoing communication.
Key facts at a glance
| Metric | Estimate/Range | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Year of marriage | 1966 | Marriage records and biographies |
| Year of divorce | Approx. 1979 | Court documentation and media accounts |
| Children | 1 (Jamie Burton Deen) | Public birth records and statements |
| Current contact status | None publicly reported | Interviews and biographies |
| Burton’s public presence | Low; out of media since divorce | Coverage over decades |
Why information is limited
Details about Earl Burton are minimal because he chose privacy. Court records confirm the divorce, but few in-depth interviews or public appearances exist. This contrasts with Paula Deen’s later career, which has been extensively covered. When facts are not publicly available, reputable sources rely on legal documents and statements from Deen’s representatives.
Reliable sourcing and note on speculation
Information presented here comes from biographies, legal filings, and interviews with Deen’s representatives. Claims about Burton’s current location, health, or private activities are not documented in credible public sources. Avoid uncorroborated social media posts; prioritize established news outlets and official records for this topic.
Moving forward: Paula Deen’s later relationships
After her divorce from Burton, Paula Deen built a new life, eventually marrying Michael Groover in 1986. That marriage lasted until his death in 2018 and formed the foundation of her public family narrative. Understanding her first marriage provides context for her personal history, but her professional resurgence and current public persona are rooted in the decades that followed.
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Concise answer |
|---|---|
| What was Paula Deen’s husband’s name? | Earl Wayne Burton. |
| When did they divorce? | Approximately 1979. |
| Do they have any children? | Yes, one son: Jamie Burton Deen. |
| Is he still in contact with Paula? | No public contact has been reported. |
| Is Earl Burton still alive? | Unconfirmed; no public information available. |
Summary and key takeaways
Paula Deen’s first husband, Earl Wayne Burton, was married to her from 1966 until their divorce around 1979. They share one son, Jamie Burton Deen. Since the separation, Burton has lived privately and has no known professional connection to Deen’s later career. Reliable details are largely limited to legal records and brief biographical notes, with most available information confirming the marriage, divorce timeline, and family outcome.