Priscilla Esterline: The Untold Story of John Mellencamp’s First Wife

Before John Mellencamp became a famous rock star, he was just a teenager in love. And the woman who stood beside him during those early days was Priscilla Esterline. While many people know about his later relationships with big names like Meg Ryan and Christie Brinkley, very few know the full story of his first wife.

Priscilla Esterline lived a quiet life. She wasn’t in the spotlight. She didn’t chase fame. But she played a very big role in John’s early life. In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at who Priscilla Esterline was, how her life unfolded with John Mellencamp, and what happened after their marriage ended.

Let’s start from the beginning.

Priscilla Esterline Quick Bio

Where Priscilla Esterline’s Life Began

Priscilla Esterline was born on November 1, 1954, in a small town called Tecumseh, Michigan. It’s the kind of town where everyone knows everyone. Life was simple there, and so was Priscilla’s childhood.

She grew up in a modest, hardworking family. Her parents were La Vern Richard Creger and Arvilla Covell Creger, and she had a brother and a sister. They raised her with good values, quiet strength, and strong family ties.

Not much is known about her early school years, but one thing is clear: she lived a life far from fame. No flashing lights, no music tours — just a normal, small-town life. And then, one day, she met someone who would change her path forever.

How Priscilla Esterline Met John Mellencamp

Priscilla met John Mellencamp when he was still in high school. She was three years older than him. At that time, she already had a job, an apartment, and was living on her own — pretty impressive for someone so young.

They reportedly met at a party, and something just clicked between them. Within weeks, they started dating. Their love was wild and full of energy — the kind of young love that feels like an adventure.

They weren’t worried about the future. They just wanted to enjoy the moment. But life had a different plan for them, and things started moving faster than they expected.

In 1970, when Priscilla was just 19, she found out she was pregnant. Back then, things were different. Getting pregnant young — especially outside of marriage — could bring a lot of pressure and judgment.

So, Priscilla and John made a quick decision. They ran away and got married. They eloped across the state line to Louisville, Kentucky, where laws were more relaxed. Their wedding was small — no fancy dress, no family watching. Just a police officer and a secretary were there as witnesses.

That same year, Priscilla gave birth to their daughter, Michelle Suzanne Mellencamp, on December 4, 1970. At just 19 and 20 years old, they became parents. Life changed overnight.

Life as Young Parents

Being a young parent is never easy, especially without much money. For Priscilla and John, those early years were full of challenges. They moved often, sometimes living in places that didn’t even have running water.

Still, Priscilla tried her best to keep things stable. She cared for baby Michelle while John worked on building his music career. Back then, he wasn’t famous yet. He was just trying to get started in a tough business.

There was also tension from John’s side of the family. His mother reportedly didn’t approve of the marriage. She believed Priscilla had “taken” her son away. That only added more stress to their already fragile young relationship.

Before John Became Famous

When people see famous rock stars, they often forget what life was like before the spotlight. For John Mellencamp and Priscilla Esterline, it was hard. They weren’t rich or well-known. They were just two young people trying to make life work.

John spent most of his time trying to get noticed in the music world. That meant traveling, performing, and staying focused on his dream. Priscilla stayed behind, raising their daughter and managing life at home.

Despite the struggles, she supported him during those early days. She was there when no one else believed in him. But as John’s career started to take off, the distance between them slowly began to grow.

Trouble in the Marriage

By the late 1970s, John was starting to get noticed. His music was becoming more popular, and his life on the road was getting busier. Fame can change things — and in their case, it did.

John later admitted to cheating during their marriage. He told a magazine that being in a rock band made it hard to stay loyal. He even joked that “there’s a reason so many rockstars get divorced.”

It was hurtful, no doubt. But Priscilla stayed with him for years through those ups and downs. Sadly, the relationship couldn’t survive forever. In 1981, after more than a decade together, they decided to end the marriage.

Divorce After 11 Years Together

In 1981, after more than a decade of being together, Priscilla Esterline and John Mellencamp got divorced. It wasn’t full of drama or fighting. In fact, it was quite peaceful. They had simply grown apart.

By that time, John had already started dating Victoria Granucci, the woman who would become his second wife. But Priscilla didn’t hold a grudge. In a surprising and very kind move, she even helped Victoria choose her wedding dress.

After the divorce, Priscilla was given full custody of their daughter, Michelle. She stayed focused on her child and her family. Even though she had been married to a rising rock star, she chose to live a quiet life, far away from fame.

Priscilla Esterline’s Life After the Divorce

While John Mellencamp went on to become a big name in music, Priscilla Esterline stayed completely out of the spotlight. She didn’t give interviews. She didn’t try to be in the public eye. She lived a simple, private life.

She stayed in Michigan, where she raised Michelle and focused on being a strong, supportive mother. Priscilla was not the kind of person to chase fame. She never used her connection to Mellencamp for attention or money.

Later on, she had another child — a son named Adam Esterline. Not much is known about Adam either, but it’s clear that Priscilla raised both of her kids with love and care. She chose a path of peace, away from the noise of fame.

Priscilla as a Mom and Grandma

Being a mom meant everything to Priscilla. She raised Michelle mostly on her own after the divorce. And when Michelle had her first child at just 18 years old, Priscilla stepped into the role of grandmother with love.

Michelle’s first child, Elexis Suzanne Peach, was born in 1989. That made Priscilla a grandma at age 37, and John Mellencamp a grandpa at just 38. Over the years, Michelle had three more children: Colin (1994), Hannah (1996), and Grace (1998).

Even though Priscilla never shared her life publicly, those who knew her say she was gentle, strong, and kind. She passed these values on to her children and grandchildren. Her love lived on through her growing family.

Priscilla Esterline’s Cause of Death

Sadly, Priscilla Esterline died on September 8, 2012. She was only 57 years old. Her cause of death was never shared with the public.

There were no big headlines or news stories. But her family felt the loss deeply. She had been a quiet anchor in their lives — the one who had always been there through good times and bad.

Even after her passing, Priscilla’s memory remains strong within her family. She left behind two children, four grandchildren, and a life story that deserves to be remembered.

What John Mellencamp Said About Her

Over the years, John Mellencamp has opened up about his first marriage. In interviews, he admitted that he wasn’t always a good husband. He spoke about cheating and the challenges of staying loyal while being in a rock band.

He once said, “What other reason would a guy ever pick up a guitar as a teenager?” — hinting at the temptations that came with fame. It wasn’t easy for Priscilla, but she stayed strong for her daughter.

Even so, John always spoke of Priscilla Esterline with respect. He admitted their divorce was amicable, and he seemed to appreciate the life they once had. She was, after all, the person who had been with him before anyone else — before the lights, the tours, and the fame.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to be famous to matter. Priscilla Esterline’s story is important, not because she was married to a rock star, but because of the quiet strength she showed in her own life.

She was there when John Mellencamp was just starting out. She supported him when life was hard. She raised her children with love. She never chased fame, but she left behind a deep legacy of care and family.

In a world where celebrity stories often focus on drama and headlines, Priscilla’s life reminds us that real strength often happens in private. She was a loving wife, a devoted mom, a proud grandma, and the first chapter in the life of one of America’s greatest rock musicians.

(FAQs)

Who was John Mellencamp’s first wife?

Is he married now? John Mellencamp’s first wife was Priscilla Esterline. They got married very young. Right now, John is not married to anyone.

Is Priscilla Esterline still alive?

No, Priscilla passed away in 2012. She lived a quiet life after her divorce and stayed away from the public.

Is there an obituary for Priscilla Esterline?

Yes, you can find her obituary online, but not many details were shared. She always liked to keep her life private.

How old was Priscilla when she died?

She was 57 years old when she died on September 8, 2012.

How much money did Priscilla Esterline have?

At the time of her death, she had about $500,000. Most of it likely came from her divorce from John Mellencamp. She never chased fame or money.

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