Pete Rose, often regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, had a storied career both on and off the field. However, while his professional life saw unparalleled highs, his personal life was equally eventful, especially in terms of his relationships and
the children he raised during his lifetime. Pete Rose, the “Hit King” of Major League Baseball (MLB), welcomed five children throughout his life with different women. These children, Fawn, Pete Jr., Morgan, Tyler, and Cara, were all born into a whirlwind of fame and controversy, but each has their own unique story.
This blog takes a deeper look at Pete Rose’s family life, his relationship with his wives, and the lives of his five children. From baseball diamonds to private life challenges, let’s explore the legacy Rose left behind.
Pete Rose and His Wives
First Wife: Karolyn Englehardt
Pete Rose’s first marriage was to Karolyn Englehardt, with whom he tied the knot in 1964. During their time together, the couple
welcomed two children, Fawn Rose and Pete Rose Jr. Englehardt remained a steady presence in his early career, standing by his side as Rose rose to fame as one of baseball’s top athletes. However, as Rose’s career began to take off, so too did the pressures of fame and fortune, eventually leading to the dissolution of their marriage in 1980.
Though the relationship ended in divorce, Rose continued to be a father to his two children with Englehardt, though his baseball commitments often took him away from his family, a theme he later expressed regret over.
Second Wife: Carol J. Woliung
In 1984, after parting ways with Englehardt, Pete Rose married his second wife, Carol J. Woliung. This relationship brought two more children into his life: Tyler Rose and Cara Rose. Woliung and Rose shared several years of marriage, and their children spent a part of their lives in the public eye, particularly during Rose’s later years in baseball and his eventual ban from the sport. Unfortunately, this marriage too ended in separation, though Woliung remains a significant figure in the lives of her children.
Pete Rose’s Children: A Closer Look
1. Fawn Rose: The Firstborn
Fawn Rose was born in 1964, the same year Pete married Karolyn Englehardt. As Rose’s eldest daughter, Fawn has largely lived a private life, staying away from the media spotlight. Her childhood coincided with Pete Rose’s peak career years, and as a result, she missed out on some of the father-daughter bonding that other children may have experienced.
Rose himself acknowledged that he felt guilty about this lack of time spent with Fawn. In a 2019 interview, he admitted, “The only person I felt got cheated was my oldest daughter.” Fawn, despite this, has built a life of her own and was once pursuing a career in medicine, studying pre-med at Franklin University during her college years.
2. Pete Rose Jr.: Following in His Father’s Footsteps
Born in 1969, Pete Rose Jr. was raised with baseball in his blood. As a child, he was often seen alongside his father, even acting as a batboy for the Cincinnati Reds. In fact, Pete Jr. and his father appeared on a famous 1982 Fleer baseball card together. Known as “Re-Pete,” Pete Jr. also pursued a career in professional baseball, though he never quite reached the same heights as his father.
Despite his efforts, Rose Jr.’s career was primarily limited to the minor leagues, with only a brief stint in the major leagues in 1997. He later moved on to coaching and managing in the baseball world, though the shadow of his father’s controversies always loomed large. Rose Sr. would later comment that his son was “being punished for the sins of the father.”
3. Morgan Erin Rubio: The Quiet Acknowledgment
Morgan Erin Rubio was born as a result of a relationship between Pete Rose and Terry Rubio in the 1970s. Though a paternity suit was filed in 1978, Rose did not publicly acknowledge Morgan as his daughter until nearly two decades later in 1996. Morgan has largely remained out of the public eye, much like her half-siblings, but her connection to the Rose family is a key part of Pete Rose’s complicated personal life.
4. Tyler Rose: The DJ Dreamer
Born in 1984 to Pete Rose and Carol J. Woliung, Tyler Rose was originally meant to be named Tyrus, after the famous baseball player Ty Cobb. However, his mother vetoed the idea, and the couple settled on the name Tyler. Though Tyler did not pursue a career in professional sports like his father, he sought out a creative career in music, attempting to become a DJ under the name “TRose.”
Tyler’s journey in life has been far from the baseball diamond, yet he still remains connected to his family’s legacy, though he leads a quieter life in Las Vegas, where he has pursued his career.
5. Cara Rose: The Youngest Rose
Cara Rose, born in 1989, is the youngest of Pete Rose’s children. Like her siblings, Cara has mostly remained out of the public eye. While there is less public information available about her, it’s known that Cara was a part of her father’s life during his later years when he was dealing with the fallout from his lifetime ban from baseball and other controversies. Despite the difficulties surrounding her father’s public image, Cara continues to lead her own private life away from the media.
The Legacy of Pete Rose as a Father
Pete Rose, despite his triumphs on the baseball field, faced numerous personal challenges in his family life. His marriages ended in divorce, and his relationships with his children were undoubtedly affected by the demands of his career and the controversies that surrounded his name. However, Rose made efforts to stay connected with his children, particularly in his later years, acknowledging his regrets and striving to be a better father.
In a 2019 interview, Rose stated, “I always tried to be there for my kids, especially my younger kids.” His efforts to reconcile with his children and play a more active role in their lives reflect a man who, despite his faults, cared deeply for his family.
Conclusion
Pete Rose’s life was a tale of two halves: the public, sports-related persona of the “Hit King” and the private struggles of a man trying to balance a high-profile career with his duties as a father. His relationships with his children were shaped by both the pressures of fame and the mistakes he made along the way, but they remained an essential part of his legacy.
Today, Pete Rose is remembered not only for his achievements on the baseball field but also for the family he left behind—children who have each carved out their own lives away from the spotlight, all while being connected to the legend of their father.
FAQs about Pete Rose and His Family
1. Who was Pete Rose’s first wife?
Pete Rose’s first wife was Karolyn Englehardt. They married in 1964 and had two children together, Fawn and Pete Rose Jr., before divorcing in 1980.
2. How many children did Pete Rose have?
Pete Rose had five children: Fawn, Pete Jr., Morgan, Tyler, and Cara. These children were from different relationships, including his marriages to Karolyn Englehardt and Carol J. Woliung.
3. Did Pete Rose Jr. play professional baseball?
Yes, Pete Rose Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps and played professional baseball, primarily in the minor leagues, with a brief stint in the major leagues in 1997 for the Cincinnati Reds.
4. Who is Morgan Erin Rubio?
Morgan Erin Rubio is Pete Rose’s daughter, born as a result of a relationship with Terry Rubio. Rose publicly acknowledged Morgan in 1996 after a paternity suit was filed in 1978.
5. What does Tyler Rose do?
Tyler Rose, Pete’s son with his second wife Carol Woliung, pursued a career in music and worked as a DJ under the name “TRose” in Las Vegas.