Introduction
The Love Behind the Music: John Denver and Annie’s Story
John Denver, one of America’s most beloved singer-songwriters of the 1970s, captivated audiences with his soothing voice and heartfelt lyrics. With iconic hits like “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” “Rocky Mountain High,” and “Annie’s Song,” he celebrated love, nature, and the human spirit. Yet, behind that warm and wholesome public image was a man wrestling with deep emotional struggles—especially in his romantic relationships. At the heart of it all was his first wife, Annie Martell, whose presence in his life shaped not only his most famous ballad but also some of his greatest joys and sorrows.
John Denver met Annie Martell in the mid-1960s, while he was still an emerging artist performing with the Mitchell Trio. Annie was a college student in Minnesota, and their first meeting was described by both as love at first sight. Their connection was immediate, but with Denver frequently touring, the early days of their love were marked by distance and letters. Eventually, fate reunited them, and they married on June 9, 1967.
Denver’s career soon skyrocketed. He found inspiration in the love he shared with Annie, culminating in the creation of “Annie’s Song” in 1974—a tender piece composed in just ten minutes while riding a ski lift in Aspen. It became a timeless love song and an anthem of their relationship. When Annie first heard it, she was moved to tears.
But as Denver’s fame grew, cracks began to form. Long tours and media demands left Annie feeling increasingly isolated. Their bond frayed under the pressures of stardom. Despite attempts to reconnect, including adopting two children, Zachary and Anna Kate, the relationship continued to deteriorate. They ultimately divorced in 1982.
Their separation was marked by emotional turmoil, including public reports of Denver’s temper and personal demons. He later remarried, but his second marriage also ended in heartbreak. Despite all the pain, Denver remained a devoted father and continued to express his gratitude to Annie throughout his life.
Before his untimely death in a plane crash in 1997, Denver’s last conversation with Annie was filled with warmth. “Oh Annie, I love you,” he said. “John, I love you too,” she replied. Those would be their final words.
Though their story ended in tragedy, the love they shared lives on through the music that touched millions.