Dana York is best known as the wife of famous rock musician Tom Petty. She was married to the music legend for 16 years until his death in 2017. But Dana’s story is more than just being a rock star’s wife. She was a former school teacher who helped Tom through his darkest times and stood by him until the end.
Quick Bio Table
| Full Name | Dana York Epperson |
|---|---|
| Birth Year | 1964 |
| Birthplace | Flint, Michigan, USA |
| Education | Flushing High School (graduated 1982) |
| Previous Job | School Principal at University High School, Ferndale, Michigan |
| First Marriage | Unknown (ended in divorce) |
| Children | Dylan Epperson (son from first marriage) |
| Married Tom Petty | June 3, 2001 |
| Marriage Location | Las Vegas, Nevada (first ceremony), Malibu, California (second ceremony) |
| Years Married | 16 years (2001-2017) |
| Stepchildren | Adria Petty and Annakim Violette |
| Tom Petty’s Death | October 2, 2017 |
| Current Residence | Malibu, California |
| Known For | Wife of Tom Petty, Former Educator |
Early Life and Background
Dana York was born in 1964 in Flint, Michigan. She grew up in a small town called Flushing, Michigan, where she spent her childhood. Dana went to Flushing High School and finished her studies there in 1982.
Before meeting Tom Petty, Dana worked in education. She was a school principal at University High School in Ferndale, Michigan. Her mother still lives in Fenton, Michigan. Dana was married before and has a son named Dylan from her first marriage.
How Dana Met Tom Petty
The story of how Dana met Tom Petty is quite interesting. It happened in 1991 at one of Tom’s concerts in Houston, Texas. Dana went to see him perform, and they met that night. However, both of them were married to other people at that time, so nothing happened between them.
Tom Petty was married to his first wife, Jane Benyo, for more than 20 years. They got divorced in 1996. Dana also ended her first marriage around the same time. After both of their divorces were complete, Dana and Tom met again and started dating. They felt a strong connection right away, like they had known each other forever.
Marriage and Family Life
Dana York and Tom Petty got married on June 3, 2001. They had their first wedding in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was a small and private ceremony with close family and friends. Later, they had a second wedding at their home in Malibu, California. The famous singer Little Richard came to their home and led the ceremony. They even had an all-female mariachi band play music at their wedding.
Dana and Tom were very happy together. She traveled with him on tours and went to his concerts. Tom often talked about how much Dana meant to him. In 2002, when Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Tom thanked Dana in his speech. He said, “Especially my wife, Dana, who I love beyond belief.”
Dana brought her son Dylan into the family. Tom also had two daughters from his first marriage named Adria Petty and Annakim Violette. Dana worked hard to keep the family close and made sure Tom had good relationships with his daughters.
Supporting Tom Through Hard Times
Dana played a very important role in Tom Petty’s life. After his divorce from his first wife, Tom struggled with drug problems. He used heroin and other drugs because he was in emotional pain. His life was going in a bad direction.
When Dana came into his life, everything changed. She learned about his drug problems and helped him get treatment. Tom went to rehab in 1999, and Dana supported him through the whole process. Tom said many times that Dana saved his life. He got clean and stayed away from drugs because of her help and support.
Dana York understood addiction because her own father had problems with drugs when she was young. This experience helped her know how to support Tom the right way. She was patient, loving, and strong during his recovery.
Tom Petty once said in an interview, “I’ve always got Dana there. She kind of looks after everything for me on the road.” People who spent time with them said Dana made Tom very happy and always took care of him.
The Sad Day Tom Petty Died
On October 1, 2017, Dana found Tom at their Malibu home. He was not breathing and his heart had stopped. She called 911 right away and tried to help him. The doctors took Tom to UCLA Medical Center and put him on life support. Sadly, Tom Petty died the next day on October 2, 2017. He was 66 years old.
The doctors said Tom died from taking too much medicine by accident. It was not on purpose. Dana said Tom was in a good mood the day before. He had just finished three great shows in Los Angeles and was very happy and excited about the future.
Life After Tom’s Death
After Tom died, Dana had to deal with many difficult things. There was a legal fight over Tom’s music and his estate. Tom’s two daughters from his first marriage had different ideas about how to manage their father’s music. The family had disagreements, and it became a court case.
However, in 2019, Dana and Tom’s daughters worked things out. They made peace and agreed to work together. They released a statement saying, “We are committed to honoring Tom’s voice, music, integrity, and his charitable spirit.” Since then, they have worked together to keep Tom Petty’s music alive for his fans.
Dana still lives in the Malibu home she shared with Tom. In 2023, she also bought a new house in Los Angeles for $6.6 million. She sold Tom’s recording studio in Malibu for $10.3 million in the same year.
Dana York Today
Dana York keeps a private life today. She works to protect Tom Petty’s music and memory. She makes sure his fans can still enjoy his songs and his work continues to inspire people around the world.
Dana’s story shows the power of love and support. She helped a great musician get through his hardest times. She was there for him until the very end. Her strength and dedication made a real difference in Tom Petty’s life and music career.
Conclusion
Dana York’s life story is about love, strength, and staying strong through hard times. She was more than just Tom Petty’s wife. She was the person who helped him fight his biggest battles and stood by him through everything. Even after Tom’s death, Dana continues to protect his music and keep his memory alive. Her story reminds us that true love means supporting someone when they need it most. Today, Dana lives a quiet life but her impact on rock music history through her support of Tom Petty will never be forgotten.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When did Dana York marry Tom Petty?
Dana York married Tom Petty on June 3, 2001, in Las Vegas. They had a second wedding ceremony at their Malibu home on June 21, 2001.
2. How did Dana York meet Tom Petty?
Dana met Tom Petty in 1991 at one of his concerts in Houston, Texas. They started dating in 1996 after both got divorced from their previous marriages.
3. Does Dana York have children?
Yes, Dana has one son named Dylan from her first marriage. She also became stepmother to Tom Petty’s two daughters, Adria and Annakim.
4. What did Dana York do before marrying Tom Petty?
Dana worked in education and was a school principal at University High School in Ferndale, Michigan, before she married Tom Petty.
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