If you're a heartland rock fan, then you definitely must be familiar with the name John J. Mellencamp. John Mellencamp is also known as Johnny Cougar, who is an American musician, singer-songwriter, painter, and actor.
Mellencamp was born on October 7, 1951, in Seymour, Indiana. In 1972, John enrolled in Vincennes University, located in Vincennes, Indiana, for a two years course. While he was in college, John played for several local bands, including a glitter-band Trash. In the article below, let's take a sneak peek on his relationship.
Engaged to American Actress, Meg Ryan
The 68-years-old songwriter, John, and an American actress and producer, Meg Ryan, were in on and off relationship for a long time. The couple started dating back in the year 2011 and sadly separated their ways after three years of a love affair in August 2014. Again in May 2017, the couple rekindled their romance and were together for a couple of years.
The fans who shipped Meg and John's relationship were already thrilled by their decision to get back; further, the news of their engagement left them awestruck. On November 8, 2018, the American musician finally asked his longtime girlfriend to take their relationship to the next level with an exquisite ring.
As per Ryan, she has nothing other to say than an overwhelming Yes! The couple wasn't planning to wed any time soon, even though they were engaged. Ryan stated that she's not rushing to tie the knot and is more focused on her children, Jack Quaid, and Daisy True Ryan.
The recent news from People magazine revealed that the pair called off their wedding on October 30, 2019, after being engaged for a year. Meg was seen without her engagement ring while attending the Governors Awards. The next day she was spotted running errands in Los Angeles but without the engagement ring.
The songwriter is currently single and not dating anyone after the split with Meg.
John Married his Teenage Love, Priscilla
The singer of "Hurts So Good" tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend turned wife Priscilla Esterline on 1970. The couple walked down the aisle amid their friends and family at Cedar Ridge in Seymour, Indiana. The love birds were teenage lovers and got married at an early age.
Esterline was already pregnant with a child when they got married. On December 4, 1970, John and Priscilla were blessed with a daughter, Michelle Mellencamp, just six months after John's graduation from high school. The couple stayed as husband-wife for eleven years and got divorced in 1981.
In 1989, the Grammy Award Winner became a grandfather to an adorable baby, Elexis Suzanne Peach, from her daughter, Michelle. However, the details about the father of Elexis Suzanne are still secret and not open to the public.
Mellencamp's Second Wife
Victoria Granucci was the second spouse to the rock artist, John. The lovely couple tied the knot in 1981 in the presence of their near and dear ones. It was love at first sight for John as he had seen Victoria just in a picture at his friend's house before actually meeting her.
John insisted on inviting her over his friend's house so he can meet Victoria. The pair met for the first time at their friend's house. Within a brief period, they got into dating each other.
The couple was blessed with their first child Teddi Jo Mellencamp in July 1981. In 1985, they welcomed their second child Justice Jo Mellencamp. Sadly, after eight years of married life together, they got divorced on 1989.
Their daughter Teddi has chosen acting as her career and is widely known to star in American reality television series, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Married to Elaine Irwin for eighteen years
The music enthusiast hasn't given up and is still hopeful for finding his Mrs. Right even he has two failed marriages under his belt. For the third time, Mellencamp tied the knot with an American model, Elaine Irwin. The couple exchanged wedding vows on September 5, 1992.
The pair first met when Elaine was hired to appear on the cover of Mellencamp's eleventh album, Whenever We Wanted, and also in the music video for "Get A Leg Up." Within a short period, they got close and got engaged after ten weeks of dating.
John and Elaine share two children from their marital solidarity. They were blessed with their first child, Hud Mellencamp, on 1994. Just after a year of their first blessing, they welcomed their second son, Speck Mellencamp, on 1995.
On December 30, 2010, it was announced that Elaine and John are separating after eighteen years of marriage. John filed her divorce against his wife on January 14, 2011, and requested to return to her maiden name "Irwin." The divorce got finalized on August 12, 2011.
What's the Net Worth of John Mellencamp?
The American musician holds the jaw-dropping net worth of $25 million, which comes from his successful career as a musician, songwriter, and actor. The rock artist has been actively involved in the music world from an early age. With such dedication and hard work, he has gained fame and name and stands out from the others.
John Cougar's albums like American Fool, Uh-Huh, Scarecrow, The Lonesome Jubilee, etc. were a massive success with numerous hit songs, loved by millions of fans around the globe. The talented artist is successful in selling more than 40 million albums worldwide.
As the "Small Town" songwriter is a longtime resident of Bloomington, Indiana, he must own a house over the place. According to Zillo, the average price of a home in Indiana is $191,900. John possibly owns a house of a similar price.
The Falling from Grace star also owns a vacation home on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina. The average price of a home in South Carolina is $247,900. Moreover, he also owns a loft of 1,800-square-foot in the Soho district of New York City in January 2018. He purchased the Soho Loft for the price of $2.3 million, which he is currently using as an art studio.
Mellencamp is also one of the founding members of Farm Aid, an organization that started as a benefit concert on September 22, 1985. It was first held to raise funds to keep farm families on their land and raise awareness about the loss of family farms. As for 2019, the Farm Aid concert has raised $53 million for the promotion of a strong family farm system of agriculture.
Honors and Accolades
The Co-founder of Farm Aid is a thirteen-time Grammy Award Nominee winning once in 1983 for the category of Best Male Rock Performer for the song "Hurts So Good." The prestigious Classic Songwriter Award was also bestowed upon him in 2008. He is also honored with Nordoff-Robbins Silver Clef Special Music Industry Humanitarian Award, the Billboard Century Award, the Woody Guthrie Award, the ASCAP Foundation Champion Award, and many more.
On March 10, 2008, he was inducted in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Similarly, on June 14, 2018, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In June 2019, he was honored with the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award by Whyhunger, a non-profit organization working to end hunger and poverty.
John had a keen interest in music from an early age; formed his first band, Crepe Soul, just at the age of 14. John has won the hearts of people with his catchy, heartland rock music, which prioritizes the use of traditional instruments. Given his all-rounder nature, he has also starred in numerous movies like Falling From Grace, Its About Madison, Ithaca, Happiness is, and many more.
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