Sharon Summerall is an American former model who was born in Texas in 1947. She built a modeling career and later became widely recognized through her marriage to musician Don Henley.
She is famous as the wife of Don Henley, drummer and vocalist of the Eagles. Sharon also gained attention for her modeling career and her long journey with multiple sclerosis.
In this article, we explore Sharon Summerall’s early life, modeling career, marriage, children, health journey, family life, financial standing, charitable interests, and the life she lives today.
Who Is Sharon Summerall?
Sharon Summerall is a former American model and the longtime wife of Don Henley. She was born in Texas in 1947 and grew up in a hardworking family with simple roots.
Before becoming connected with one of rock music’s most famous musicians, Sharon created her own career in modeling. She worked with modeling agencies and became established in the fashion industry during the 1980s.
Her life later changed after she developed multiple sclerosis. She eventually left modeling and focused more on her health, marriage, and children while maintaining a relatively private lifestyle with her family.
Early Life and Texas Background
Sharon Summerall was born in Texas, United States, in 1947. She spent her early years in a hardworking family environment, which played an important role in shaping her personality and outlook.
Her father worked on a farm. Growing up around this lifestyle taught Sharon about dedication, hard work, and resilience, qualities that later became important throughout different stages of her life.
Her childhood and educational years remained mostly outside public attention. She eventually moved toward modeling and developed a professional career that took her into the competitive world of fashion.
Sharon Summerall’s Age
Sharon was born in 1947. Her exact birthday is not included in the available information, but her birth year provides a clear picture of the generation in which she grew up.
She spent her younger years in Texas before entering modeling as an adult. Her professional journey became particularly active during the 1980s, when she established herself within the industry.
Her life has changed considerably since those modeling years. She later became a wife and mother and shifted her attention toward her family and personal health.
Physical Appearance
Sharon Summerall is described as having black hair and brown eyes. Her elegant appearance and graceful presence became useful qualities during her professional years in the modeling industry.
Her appearance helped her establish herself in front of cameras and within fashion. She developed a polished professional image while working with modeling agencies during the 1980s.
Even after leaving modeling, Sharon continued to be associated with elegance and a quiet personal style. She has generally avoided making her private life a major part of public attention.
Her Career as a Model
Sharon began pursuing modeling during the early 1980s. She was already in her thirties when she entered this demanding field, but she continued building her career through dedication and professionalism.
She reportedly worked with well-known modeling agencies, including Elite and Eva Models. By the middle of the 1980s, she had developed a successful career and gained valuable experience within fashion.
Her modeling work included time in front of cameras and within the fashion industry. However, health problems eventually changed her professional direction, and she retired from modeling in 1995.
How Sharon Summerall Met Don Henley
Sharon met Don Henley during the early 1990s. Their meeting came during an important period in Sharon’s life, around the time she was dealing with her multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
Their relationship developed into a close partnership. Don was already internationally known through his career with the Eagles, while Sharon had experienced her own professional life within the modeling world.
The couple eventually decided to marry. Their relationship became one of the most important parts of Sharon’s story and developed into a marriage that also brought them three children.
Sharon Summerall and Don Henley’s Wedding
Sharon Summerall and Don Henley married in 1995. Their wedding brought together people from the entertainment and music worlds while marking the beginning of their married life together.
Well-known musicians including Bruce Springsteen and Sting were among the notable names connected with their wedding celebration. The ceremony reflected Don Henley’s long-standing connections within the music industry.
After getting married, Sharon and Don concentrated on creating their family life together. Their marriage continued through Sharon’s health challenges as well as Don’s demanding professional career.
Who Is Don Henley?
Don Henley is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and drummer. He became internationally famous as a founding member of the Eagles, one of the most successful rock groups in music history.
With the Eagles, Henley became associated with famous songs including “Hotel California” and “Desperado.” His distinctive vocals and drumming became important parts of the band’s recognizable musical sound.
He also developed a successful solo career and released songs including “The Boys of Summer.” Beyond music, Henley has supported causes involving environmental protection and music education.
Sharon Summerall’s Children
Sharon Summerall and Don Henley have three children together: Annabel, Julia Sophia, and Will Henley. Their children have generally maintained private lives despite having a famous musician as their father.
Will has shown an interest in music. He appeared publicly playing guitar during the Eagles’ 2018 tour, giving audiences a glimpse of the musical connection between father and son.
Julia Sophia has lived in Los Angeles and maintained a low profile. Annabel pursued international education at University College London, following a path outside her parents’ professional backgrounds.
Family Life and Privacy
Family has remained an important part of Sharon’s life. She and Don raised their three children while trying to maintain a boundary between their family home and public celebrity attention.
Their children have generally avoided constant media exposure. This approach has allowed them to pursue education, personal interests, and careers without making every part of their lives public.
Sharon herself has also maintained a relatively quiet lifestyle. Although her husband has spent decades in entertainment, she has largely remained away from the continuous attention associated with celebrity culture.
Sharon Summerall’s Multiple Sclerosis
Sharon was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis during the early 1990s. MS affects the central nervous system and can create different physical symptoms and challenges depending on the individual.
Her diagnosis became a major turning point in her life. Managing the condition required changes in her daily routine and eventually influenced her decision to step away from professional modeling.
Sharon retired from modeling in 1995. Since then, managing her health has remained an important part of her life alongside her responsibilities and relationships within her family.
Life After Leaving Modeling
Leaving modeling marked the beginning of a different stage for Sharon. Rather than continuing to pursue a public fashion career, she focused more heavily on her personal health and family.
Her marriage and children became central parts of this period. Sharon continued supporting Don Henley while also managing the difficulties connected with living with multiple sclerosis.
Her lifestyle became considerably more private than her earlier modeling years. She stepped away from the fashion industry and built a quieter life centered primarily around health and loved ones.
Charitable Interests and Causes
Sharon and Don Henley have been associated with charitable interests and causes. Don has been particularly active in areas involving environmental protection, conservation, and support for music education.
Sharon’s personal experience with multiple sclerosis also connects her life story closely with awareness surrounding the condition. Health has remained an important theme throughout her years after modeling.
Much of the couple’s personal life remains private. Their charitable interests reflect areas that have meaningful connections with their professional experiences, personal challenges, and wider community concerns.
Sharon Summerall’s Net Worth
Sharon Summerall’s net worth was estimated at around $1 million as of 2024. Her financial background has been connected with her earlier modeling career and her life with Don Henley.
She spent several years working professionally as a model before leaving the fashion industry. Her career allowed her to establish her own professional identity before concentrating primarily on family and health.
Since retiring, Sharon has remained away from a major independent public career. Her life today is more closely associated with family, health, and her long marriage to Don Henley.
Where Is Sharon Summerall Now?
Sharon has largely stepped away from public life and the fashion industry. Her current lifestyle focuses much more on her family, personal well-being, and management of her multiple sclerosis.
She continues to share her life with Don Henley after decades of marriage. Their relationship has remained an important part of her story through family responsibilities, career changes, and health difficulties.
Rather than seeking constant public attention, Sharon maintains a quieter presence. Her transition from professional modeling to private family life represents one of the biggest changes in her personal journey.
Sharon Summerall’s Life and Legacy
Sharon’s story includes several very different chapters. She went from growing up in a hardworking Texas family to establishing herself professionally within the competitive modeling industry during the 1980s.
Her life changed again through her relationship with Don Henley, motherhood, and her multiple sclerosis diagnosis. These experiences eventually moved her away from modeling and toward a more private lifestyle.
Today, Sharon is primarily recognized as Don Henley’s wife, but her personal journey also includes her own modeling career, health challenges, motherhood, and decades of family life away from constant publicity.
Final Thoughts
Sharon Summerall has lived a life that combines fashion, family, marriage, and major personal challenges. She established herself as a model before becoming widely known through her relationship with Don Henley.
Her multiple sclerosis diagnosis brought significant changes, including the end of her modeling career. However, she continued building a family life alongside Don while raising their three children together.
From her Texas childhood to modeling and decades of marriage, Sharon’s journey has passed through many stages. Today, family, health, and privacy remain central parts of her personal story.
(FAQs)
Who is Sharon Summerall?
Sharon Summerall is an American former model who is best known as the wife of Eagles musician Don Henley. She was born in Texas in 1947 and worked professionally as a model.
When did Sharon Summerall marry Don Henley?
Sharon Summerall married Don Henley in 1995. They had met during the early 1990s and later built a family together while Don continued his successful career in the music industry.
How many children does Sharon Summerall have?
Sharon Summerall and Don Henley have three children together. Their names are Annabel, Julia Sophia, and Will Henley, and the family has generally maintained considerable privacy around their personal lives.
What health condition does Sharon Summerall have?
Sharon Summerall was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the early 1990s. The condition affected her life and professional career, and she eventually retired from modeling in 1995 to focus on her health.
What did Sharon Summerall do for a living?
Sharon Summerall worked as a professional model. She entered modeling during the early 1980s and worked with agencies including Elite and Eva Models before eventually leaving the industry in 1995.
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