The Famous Men Who Loved Linda Ronstadt, From Rock Stars to Hollywood Icons

Linda Ronstadt, 2019 The Sound of My Voice — Greenwich Entertainment/Everett Collection

Linda Ronstadt, born July 15, 1946, was one of the biggest voices of the 1970s, with a career that moved through folk rock, country, pop, Broadway, and Mexican music. Her personal life also drew plenty of attention, especially once she became one of the most famous women in music. Ronstadt never married, but she had several high-profile relationships and a few musical partnerships that made fans question if there was something romantic there as well.

Here’s a look back at some of the men linked to her life and career, in honor of her 80th birthday.

John Boylan (circa 1970-1973)

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: (L-R) Linda Ronstadt and John Boylan attend AARP The Magazine's 19th Annual Movies For Grownups Awards at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel on January 11, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California

Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AARP

Producer John Boylan was part of Ronstadt’s life during her early solo years, according to Billboard. She met him after hearing his production work and later said she wanted someone who understood the kind of California sound she was trying to make. The two moved in together, and Boylan became both a producer and manager figure during a complicated period in her career. Looking back, Ronstadt told Rolling Stone the relationship “had deteriorated to the point where we couldn’t work together anymore” and the two eventually split.

J.D. Souther (circa 1972-1974)

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After Boylan, Ronstadt moved in with singer-songwriter J.D. Souther, a key figure in the Southern California country-rock scene. Souther co-produced her 1973 album Don’t Cry Now and wrote several songs she recorded and sang with her on tracks, including “Prisoner in Disguise.” He was also closely tied to the Eagles, writing or co-writing some of their biggest songs (per American Songwriter). Souther died in 2024 at age 78.

Steve Martin (early 1970s)

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson 1962-92, guest host Steve Martin, 5/23/77

NBC/Everett Collection

Ronstadt was also linked to Steve Martin before he became a movie star. The two crossed paths when Martin was still building his stand-up career, and he later wrote that he was intimidated by her. Their connection appears to have been brief, but it is an interesting fun fact about her romantic life. Interestingly enough, Martin’s current costar in Only Murder’s in the Building, Selena Gomez, is set to play Ronstadt in an upcoming biopic about the singer’s life.

Albert Brooks (1974-1975)

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By 1975, Ronstadt was dating comedian and filmmaker Albert Brooks. A Rolling Stone profile from that year said she was staying at Brooks’ Hollywood Hills home and missed him while she was away on tour. Ronstadt once called Brooks “the nicest person I’ve known.”

Jerry Brown (early 1970s-late 1970s)

(Original Caption) Monrovia, Liberia: California Governor Edmund G. Brown and rock singer Linda Ronstadt aboard plane as arrive here. They are on way to Kenya for a safari trip. Miss Ronstadt denies rumors that they will marry during 10 day African trip.

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Ronstadt’s most public relationship was with California Gov. Jerry Brown. The two became an unlikely celebrity-political couple in the late 1970s, when she was a chart-topping singer, and he was one of the most watched Democrats in the country. Their relationship drew endless press attention, but Ronstadt later wrote warmly about Brown, according to People, remembering him as smart, funny and disciplined. They did not marry, but they stayed on good terms for decades, and Ronstadt later said they were still friends.

Jim Carrey (1983)

Everett Collection

In 1983, Ronstadt dated Jim Carrey, who was still a young comedian years before Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask and Dumb and Dumber made him a household name. Carrey later said he met Ronstadt after one of his stand-up performances and immediately adored her. He called their relationship “a beautiful eight months” and said she treated his talent with respect.

George Lucas (1983-1988)

Singer Linda Ronstadt and date George Lucas attending 'Dinner Dance for People of the American Way' on October 24, 1985 at the Puck Building in New York City, New York

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

After Carrey, Ronstadt was linked to Star Wars creator George Lucas. A 1984 article reported that the two had been spending time together privately after being introduced by a friend, with Ronstadt visiting Lucas near Skywalker Ranch and Lucas visiting her homes in Malibu and Brentwood. The two were in a high-profile, five-year relationship from 1983 to 1988, with the couple even becoming engaged at one point before breaking it off.

Many rockstars

Linda has also been linked to a wide variety of musicians throughout her career, mostly short flings, but some of the more notable ones are Mick Jagger from the Rolling Stones, Don Henley from the Eagles, Warren Zevon, Lee George from Little Feet, and Frank Zappa.

Why Linda Ronstadt never married

Ronstadt doesn’t seem to regret staying unmarried. In a 2019 interview, she said she “was not cut out for marriage” and admitted she was not good at compromising. She did become a mother, adopting two children, Mary Clementine and Carlos, and later spoke lovingly of the family she built herself.