Don Henley at 77: The Eagles Legend Reveals the Woman Who Changed His Life Forever

Few voices in American music are as instantly recognizable as Don Henley’s. From the haunting opening lines of “Hotel California” to the bittersweet refrains of “Desperado,” Henley’s songs have soundtracked decades of heartbreak, hope, and highway dreams. But behind the platinum records and sold-out stadiums, the Eagles frontman has lived a life shaped as much by love and loyalty as by fame.

Now, at 77, Henley is finally opening up about the woman who truly captured his soul—a revelation that’s as moving as any ballad he’s ever written.

From Small-Town Texas to Rock and Roll Royalty

Donald Hugh Henley was born July 22, 1947, in the quiet town of Gilmer, Texas, and raised in nearby Linden. His family’s roots ran deep in the soil of the Lone Star State, and their heritage—English, Scottish, and Irish—gave Henley a sense of tradition that would follow him for life. In high school, Henley tried his hand at football, but fate had other plans. Told he was too small for the team, he picked up the trombone and, later, the drums.

That decision set the stage for everything to come. After a stint at Stephen F. Austin State University and North Texas State University, Henley left college to care for his ailing father—a move that revealed the loyalty and heart that would define him both on and off stage.

Early Bands and the Road to Los Angeles

Henley’s first taste of music came with a Dixieland jazz band formed by his childhood friend’s father. That group evolved into the Four Speeds, then Felicity, and eventually Shiloh after a fateful encounter with Kenny Rogers. Rogers saw something special in the Texas boys, bringing them to Los Angeles and helping them record their first album. But tragedy struck when bandmate Jerry Surratt died in a dirt bike accident, and creative tensions soon pulled the group apart.

Henley, undeterred, stayed in Los Angeles—and destiny was waiting.

The Birth of the Eagles

It was in LA that Henley met Glenn Frey, and together they joined Linda Ronstadt’s backup band for her 1971 tour. The chemistry was undeniable, and soon Henley, Frey, Randy Meisner, and Bernie Leadon formed the Eagles. Their debut album in 1972, featuring “Take It Easy,” launched the band into the stratosphere. With hits like “Desperado,” “Witchy Woman,” and “Hotel California,” the Eagles became the top-selling American band of all time—collecting Grammys, selling millions of records, and creating music that defined a generation.

But behind the scenes, the pressures of fame took their toll. By 1980, the band fractured, leaving fans devastated. Fourteen years later, the Eagles reunited for the “Hell Freezes Over” tour, proving their legacy was far from over.

Solo Success and Fighting for Artists’ Rights

When the Eagles split, Henley didn’t fade away. Instead, he launched a solo career that proved his voice could stand alone. His 1982 single “Dirty Laundry” sold over a million copies and earned a Grammy nod. “The Boys of Summer” won him another Grammy, and “The End of the Innocence”—co-written with Bruce Hornsby—became an anthem for a changing America.

But Henley’s battles weren’t just musical. In the 1990s, he fought a high-profile legal war with Geffen Records over contract disputes, becoming a leading advocate for musicians’ rights. He helped form the Recording Artists Coalition, testified before the California Senate, and spoke out against unfair industry practices. Through it all, Henley kept making music, collaborating with legends like Stevie Nicks, Trisha Yearwood, and Roger Waters.

Love, Heartbreak, and the Woman Who Changed Everything

If Henley’s songs are full of longing, it’s because his own romantic journey has been anything but simple. His first heartbreak came with Laurelei Shellist, whose independent spirit inspired parts of “Wasted Time” and even echoes in “Hotel California.” Then came Stevie Nicks, the Fleetwood Mac icon whose relationship with Henley was passionate and complicated. In 1979, Nicks became pregnant with Henley’s child—a chapter both have spoken about with candor and regret. Nicks later said she would have named their daughter “Sara,” tying the memory to her own song on Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk.”

Though their romance ended, Henley and Nicks remained close, recording the hit duet “Leather and Lace” and touring together as friends. Nicks once said, “Don always treated me very special. He always kind of treated me like we were married in that strange sort of way. He still does whenever I see him.”

Henley’s next serious relationship was with actress Maren Jensen, best known for “Battlestar Galactica.” He dedicated his solo debut to her, and she sang on “Johnny Can’t Read.” But by 1986, they parted ways quietly.

The Love of His Life: Sharon Summerall

After years of fame and heartbreak, Henley finally found lasting love with Sharon Summerall. Like Henley, Sharon hailed from Texas, and their shared roots created an instant bond. A former Ford model, Summerall brought stability and warmth to Henley’s life. After two years of dating, they married on May 20, 1995, in a star-studded Texas ceremony attended by Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Billy Joel, John Fogerty, Jackson Browne, and Henley’s Eagles bandmate Glenn Frey.

Unlike his previous relationships, Henley was ready to commit. “I was engaged a couple of times, but I never went through with it. I think I would have been a failure if I had done it earlier,” he admitted. “The lives of children are too important to be part of an immature experiment.”

Henley’s marriage to Sharon inspired his 2000 album “Inside Job,” with the song “Everything Is Different Now” written for her. He described her as “an angel with the golden wings” and credited her with bringing light into his life. Another single, “Taking You Home,” was inspired by the birth of their first daughter—a softer, more grounded side of the rock legend.

But their journey hasn’t been without challenges. Sharon was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease that can affect movement and speech. Henley has spoken openly about her condition, sharing, “She is managing, holding her own. She has her good weeks and bad weeks. We feel hopeful about the future.”

Family First—and a Legacy That Lasts

Henley and Sharon have three children—daughters Annabelle and Julia, and son Will. For Henley, fatherhood changed everything. “I have a wife and three teenagers, and they are the best and most important things in my life,” he told The Wall Street Journal. The family moved to Dallas, seeking a quieter life away from the Hollywood spotlight. Henley wanted his kids to experience the same small-town values that shaped him.

Family is everything to Henley. He credits Sharon’s parents, who live nearby, with helping raise the children and creating a supportive environment. Even as Sharon battles MS, the family remains strong—seen together at events like the Kennedy Center Honors in 2016, where the Eagles were celebrated.

Henley’s true wealth isn’t measured in gold records or stadium tours, but in the love and loyalty of his family. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated at $250 million—much of it from the Eagles’ record sales and tours. But Henley makes it clear: “Family is the most important thing in my life.”

A Life Inspired by Love

Looking back, Henley’s journey from small-town Texas boy to rock legend is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of love. His romance with Stevie Nicks may have inspired some of his most poignant songs, but it’s Sharon Summerall who holds his heart today.

“I hate to tell you this, but I’m very, very happy,” Henley once said. “She saw me down here in the dark somehow, and everything is different now.”

As Henley continues to perform, write, and inspire, fans are left wondering: Can a great love really inspire music that lasts forever? If Don Henley’s story is any indication, the answer is yes.