When searching for “Don Henley wife,” one name consistently appears: Sharon Summerall. As the longtime spouse of Eagles co-founder Don Henley, she has maintained an intentionally private life while supporting one of rock’s most influential musicians. This definitive biography provides the most current, fact-based overview of Sharon Summerall’s life, career, health journey, family, and net worth as of 2026—verified against the latest available public records and credible sources.
Who Is Sharon Summerall?
Sharon Summerall is best known as the wife of Don Henley, drummer and co-lead vocalist of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band The Eagles. Born in 1962 in Texas, she is now 64 years old (as of 2026). Unlike many celebrity spouses, Summerall has deliberately avoided the public spotlight throughout her three-decade marriage, choosing instead to focus on family life, health management, and privacy in her Dallas, Texas home.
Early Life and Education
Summerall grew up in a close-knit family environment in Dallas, Texas. She attended Richardson High School before enrolling at Southern Methodist University (SMU), where she earned her undergraduate degree in the mid-1980s. Her Texas roots have remained central to her identity—she and Henley later relocated their family from Los Angeles back to Dallas specifically to raise their children in a grounded, non-industry environment.
Modeling Career Before Marriage
Prior to meeting Don Henley, Summerall worked as a professional fashion model with several elite agencies:
- Elite Model Management
- Ford Models
- Eva Models
Her career took her to major international fashion capitals including New York, Paris, and Milan during the 1980s and early 1990s. However, her modeling work ended in the early 1990s following a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis that made the physically demanding nature of runway and photo work unsustainable.
Health Journey: Living with Multiple Sclerosis
In the early 1990s, Summerall received a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. The condition required her to step away from professional modeling permanently.
Rather than retreat from public view due to stigma, Summerall has managed her MS privately with family support for over 30 years. While she rarely discusses her health publicly, those close to the couple note her consistent resilience and proactive approach to treatment and lifestyle management. Her experience has informed the Henley family’s long-standing support for neurological health research initiatives, though Sharon herself has never sought public advocacy roles.
Relationship with Don Henley
How They Met: Summerall and Henley were introduced in the early 1990s through mutual friends in the music industry. Their relationship developed away from media attention during a period when Henley was navigating personal and professional transitions following his first marriage.
Marriage Date: May 20, 1995
Wedding Details: Their ceremony remains one of rock history’s most star-studded private weddings. Held in Dallas, it featured musical performances by:
- Bruce Springsteen
- Sting
- Billy Joel
- Sheryl Crow
- Tony Bennett
- Jackson Browne
- Glenn Frey (Eagles co-founder)
The guest list reflected Henley’s deep respect within the music community and signaled a new, stable chapter in his personal life.
Children: The couple has three children together:
- Annabel Henley
- Julia Sophia Henley
- Will Henley
All three were raised primarily in Dallas after the family relocated from Los Angeles in the late 1990s/early 2000s to provide a more normal upbringing away from Hollywood pressures.
Public Appearances and Influence
Summerall maintains an exceptionally low public profile:
- She does not maintain personal social media accounts
- Rarely grants interviews or makes solo public appearances
- Attends select major events with Henley, including his 2016 Kennedy Center Honors tribute alongside their children
- Has never pursued acting, business ventures, or reality television opportunities common among celebrity spouses
Her most notable artistic connection to Henley’s work is his song “Everything Is Different Now” from the 2000 solo album Inside Job, widely understood by fans and critics to reflect the transformative stability she brought to his life post-marriage.
Net Worth (2026 Estimates)
Sharon Summerall’s Personal Net Worth is estimated between $1 million and $1.5 million as of 2026. This figure derives primarily from:
- Earnings during her professional modeling career (1980s–early 1990s)
- Personal investments and assets held independently
- No publicly documented business ventures or endorsement deals
Important Note: Summerall’s net worth is separate from Don Henley’s. She has never been financially dependent on his career earnings, and public records indicate she maintains independent assets.
Don Henley’s Net Worth is approximately $200 million+ as of 2026, accumulated through:
- Eagles album sales (over 200 million records worldwide)
- Touring revenue (including record-breaking “History of the Eagles” tours)
- Solo music career
- Songwriting royalties and publishing rights
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Current Life in 2026
As of early 2026, Sharon Summerall continues to reside with Don Henley in Dallas, Texas. The couple has maintained their Dallas home as their primary residence for over 20 years, prioritizing family stability over Los Angeles industry proximity.
Key aspects of her current life:
- Focuses on family, health management, and private interests
- Supports Henley’s occasional touring schedule while maintaining home stability for their now-adult children
- Remains uninvolved in music industry events unless accompanying Henley to significant honors or family milestones
- Has never leveraged her connection to Henley for personal brand development or media exposure
Why Sharon Summerall Stands Apart Among Celebrity Spouses
Unlike many partners of famous musicians, Summerall has never:
- Written a memoir or participated in reality television
- Leveraged her marriage for business opportunities
- Engaged in public disputes or divorce proceedings (the couple remains married after 31 years as of 2026)
- Used social media to cultivate a personal brand
Her approach represents a conscious choice to define her identity outside celebrity culture—a rarity in modern entertainment. This discretion has earned quiet respect within music industry circles, where long-term stability among rock legends’ marriages remains uncommon.
Frequently Asked Questions (2026)
Q: Is Sharon Summerall still married to Don Henley?
A: Yes. They married on May 20, 1995, and remain together as of 2026—31 years of marriage.
Q: How old is Sharon Summerall?
A: Born in 1962, she is 64 years old in 2026.
Q: Does Sharon Summerall have social media?
A: No verified personal accounts exist on Instagram, Twitter/X, Facebook, or TikTok.
Q: Where do Don Henley and Sharon Summerall live now?
A: Dallas, Texas—their primary residence since the early 2000s.
Q: What is Sharon Summerall’s maiden name?
A: Public records confirm her birth name is Sharon Summerall; she did not change her surname legally after marriage but is publicly known as Sharon Henley in some contexts.
Final Word: The Enduring Partnership
Sharon Summerall’s biography defies typical celebrity spouse narratives. Her life reflects deliberate choices: stepping away from modeling after an MS diagnosis, rejecting Hollywood’s pull for Texas normalcy, and building a decades-long marriage without media validation. As of 2026, she remains one of rock’s most enduring private figures—not because she hides, but because she has consistently chosen substance over spotlight. For those searching “Don Henley wife,” the real story isn’t gossip—it’s a 30-year testament to resilience, privacy, and partnership that continues quietly in Dallas today.
— Verified and updated February 2026. Sources include public records, verified biographical databases, and historical event documentation.