In the 1950s, rock ’n’ roll was taking over America — and Jerry Lee Lewis was one of its biggest rising stars. But at the height of his fame, a single shocking revelation nearly destroyed his career overnight: he had secretly married Myra Gale Brown, his 13-year-old cousin.
The scandal erupted in 1958 when Lewis arrived in England for a tour, accompanied by Myra. Reporters were stunned when she innocently revealed not only her age — just 13 — but also that she was his cousin. To make matters worse, Lewis was still legally married to another woman at the time of their wedding.
The backlash was immediate and brutal. His tour was canceled, radio stations stopped playing his music, and he was blacklisted by much of the music industry. Fans who once screamed for “Great Balls of Fire” were now turning their backs on the rock icon.
Despite the public outrage, Lewis and Myra stayed married for 13 years. In later interviews, Myra described the emotional toll the relationship — and the media storm — took on her as a young girl forced to grow up far too fast.
Today, their story remains one of the most controversial chapters in rock history — a tale of talent, fame, and the personal choices that can change everything in an instant.
