Johnny Cash Admitted Wife June Carter Cash Loved Him ‘In Spite Of Everything’ Including His ‘Evil’ Ways

Apr 13, 2022 by apost team

Johnny Cash was an American singer, songwriter, musician and actor who came from humble beginnings and is now considered one of the greatest musical artists of all time. Cash was also referred to as "The Man in Black" for his song and signature all-black stage attire. Some of the artist's most popular hits are "I Walk the Line," "Ring of Fire" and "Folsom Prison Blues." He has sold more than 90 million records worldwide.

June Carter Cash was born Valerie June Carter to country music stars Maybelle and Ezra Carter. She was a performer herself and also a songwriter, actress, dancer, comedian and author. She has won five Grammy Awards, two of which were awarded posthumously in 2004. The star also appeared in several films and television series. Some of her popular appearances include starring in "The Apostle" alongside Robert Duvall and her role as Clarice on the show "Gunsmoke." 

Carter and Cash were married from 1968 until they both passed away in 2003. Their love story is one for the ages and was chronicled in Cash's biopic "Walk the Line." They were both married at the time they initially met, and their journey was tumultuous at times, to say the least. However, despite the troubles, their love was undeniable, and many believe the song "Ring of Fire," which was co-written by Carter, was actually about her love for Cash. 

While the pair clearly had a beautiful love for one another, it didn’t exactly start on the best terms, as they were already with other people when they first started dating. Read on to find out more about their love story.

What many people unfamiliar with the early days of the couple's life together may not realize is that both Cash and Carter were married to other people when they met. They also might not know that Carter had her own successful music career before she met Cash. Carter was part of Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters. She was a close friend of Elvis Presley and often sang with him on tour after she began a solo career.

It was Presley who insisted Carter meet Cash. Presley had been playing Cash’s music for Carter. One night after they performed at Nashville's famous Grand Ole Opry in 1956, Carter met Cash, reported Country Living.

It wasn't exactly love at first sight for Carter, but Cash had no problem admitting he fell for Carter almost right away. Carter’s feelings for Cash grew over time, but she was still married. Over the next 13 years, Cash worked hard to convince Carter to marry him. She kept turning him down. Finally, in early 1968, Cash popped the question again in front of 7,000 fans at a live show. This time Carter said yes.

They married in March that year and had a son in 1970. He chronicled their relationship in a bestselling book published after their deaths. Though their love was deep, it wasn't easy. Cash struggled with addiction his entire life, but Carter stood by him throughout it all. Harder for her to accept was his womanizing.

It was something that Cash seemed to recognize. According to The Guardian, he said, “I was evil. I really was.” While Cash and Carter had a love that many people were envious of, they also had their issues, and they also had some controversies at the beginning of their relationship.

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When he met Carter, Cash was married to Vivian Liberto Cash, with whom he had four daughters: Roseanne, Kathy, Cindy and Tara. Carter was married twice before getting together with Cash. Her first relationship was with the country singer Carl Smith and they had a daughter, Rebecca. The couple got divorced in 1956 and then a year later, Carter married former football player, Edwin “Rip” Nix. The couple also had a daughter, Rosie, but the marriage ended in 1966.

When looking back at that time in her life, Carter remembered how difficult it was to fall in love with someone when you are already married. “I never talked about how I fell in love with John,” Carter told Rolling Stone in 2000. She added:

“It was not a convenient time for me to fall in love with him, and it wasn’t a convenient time for him to fall in love with me.” 

She continued: “I was miserable, and it all came to me: ‘I’m falling in love with somebody I have no right to fall in love with’… I thought, ‘I can’t fall in love with this man, but it’s just like a ring of fire.’”

Cash spoke of his “unconditional” love for his wife with Rolling Stone: 

“You hear that phrase a lot, but it’s real with me and her. She loves me in spite of everything. In spite of myself. She has saved my life more than once. …”

He continued: “She’s always been there with her love, and it has certainly made me forget the pain for a long time, many times. When it gets dark, and everybody’s gone home and the lights are turned off, it’s just me and her.”

Did you know about Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash’s love story? What do you think about the songs that highlighted the good and bad sides of their relationship? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to your loved ones.