At a Glance
- Rosanne Cash is the eldest daughter of Johnny Cash and a four-time Grammy winner, but her most significant role is as mom to her five children.
- She has spoken openly about the challenges of motherhood, especially during her move from Nashville to New York after her divorce in 1992.
- The family includes daughters Hannah, Caitlin, Chelsea, Carrie, and son Jakob, each with distinct careers in music, art, and business.
Why it matters: Rosanne’s candid reflections give insight into how a celebrated artist balances public life with the private responsibilities of raising a large family.
Rosanne Cash, the legendary country singer and daughter of Johnny Cash, has spent decades balancing a career that earned her four Grammys with the demands of raising five children. In recent interviews, she has revealed how motherhood reshaped her life and how she navigated the challenges of relocating and redefining her identity as a parent. The story follows her journey through marriage, divorce, and the unique paths her children have taken.
Roots and Early Family Life
Rosanne married musician Rodney Crowell in 1979, becoming stepmother to his three-year-old daughter, Hannah Crowell. Together, they welcomed daughters Caitlin, Chelsea, and Carrie. The marriage ended in 1992, after which Rosanne moved from Nashville to New York with her daughters.
During that period, she admitted in a December 2023 Basic Folk podcast interview that she “didn’t think I was a great parent” and regretted being consumed by personal upheaval. She said, “My saving grace is that I couldn’t have loved them more. And that I tried hard.”
In 1995, Rosanne married producer John Leventhal. Four years later, the couple had a son, Jakob William Leventhal, born on January 22, 1999.
Hannah Crowell – The Stepdaughter Turned Mentor
Hannah Crowell was born May 6, 1976 to Rodney and his first wife, Martha Dant Watts. Though Rosanne and Rodney divorced when Hannah was a teenager, she has always considered Hannah her child.
In a May 2020 Instagram post, Hannah honored Rosanne: “Happy Mother’s Day to my mom. She is beyond generous, my style icon and has always modeled how imperative hard work is to one’s soul.” She also noted that Rosanne is “the person I will forever turn to when my own children have me questioning my ability to press on in this wild world of mothering.”
Rosanne’s 2010 memoir, Composed, reveals a “fraught” relationship at times. She wrote, “I had taken on the job of mothering her at the age of twenty-two, long before I outgrew a need for mothering myself.” Despite the tension, she praised Hannah’s patience and acceptance of her stepmother’s “inelegance and sometimes petty attitudes.”
Today, Hannah is a mother of two daughters, Adeline and Iris, and a step-mom to Hailey. She lives in Nashville, works as an interior designer, and runs the Hannah Crowell Design Studio.
Caitlin Rivers Crowell – The Daredevil
Caitlin Rivers Crowell was born January 24, 1980. Rosanne chose the middle name Rivers in honor of her paternal grandmother, Carrie Cloveree.
Caitlin grew up as a “daredevil,” described by Rosanne as “rebellious and reckless” and “leading an untamed kind of life.” After high school, she moved to Los Angeles and entered the music industry, working in public relations and licensing.
In 2009, Caitlin married photographer Sam Esty Rayner, nephew of Morrissey. Rosanne noted that marriage grounded her, turning her into “a fuller, yet more grounded version of who she has always been.”
Caitlin’s journey reflects a blend of risk and resilience, balancing her artistic pursuits with personal commitments.
Chelsea Jane Crowell – Artist and Musician
Chelsea Jane Crowell was born January 25, 1982 in Nashville and later moved to New York after her parents’ divorce. She developed a love of horseback riding and attended the Elisabeth Irwin High School.
Chelsea pursued art, studying photography and visual arts at Memphis College of Art before turning to music. She released her self-titled debut album in 2009 and Crystal City in 2011. Rosanne has performed with her onstage multiple times.
In a 2014 New York Times interview, Chelsea said, “It’s definitely not something that’s there all the time, but you find your areas and make peace with it.” She also highlighted the burden of her father’s legacy but expressed confidence once she released her own records.
Chelsea married musician Terry Kane in July 2015. The couple welcomed daughter Evie Crowell Cash Kane in August 2022. Rosanne celebrated the arrival with a heartfelt Instagram post: “I’m in love. A million times over.”
Carrie Kathleen Crowell – Creative Entrepreneur
Carrie Kathleen Crowell was born 1988. She was named after Rosanne’s paternal grandmother, Carrie Cloveree, and Rosanne’s sister, Kathy Cash.
Carrie’s upbringing was described by Rosanne as a “precious and welcome tonic.” She shares a creative streak, hosting an online cooking show and opening Crowell Floral, a Nashville-based floral design company, in 2016.
On May 31, 2014, Carrie married record producer Dan Knobler. Dan surprised her with an original composition for the bridal processional, while Rodney wrote and performed a song during the ceremony.
Carrie and Dan welcomed son Willoughby Crowell-Knobler in June 2018 and daughter Olive Vivian Crowell-Knobler in November 2020.
Jakob William Leventhal – The Young Son
Jakob “Jake” William Leventhal was born January 22, 1999. Raised in New York, he attended The University of Chicago, graduating with a philosophy degree in 2021.
Rosanne celebrated his graduation on Instagram: “Congratulations Jake!! We are so, so proud of you.” Jake pursued music, determined to carve his own path independent of his famous lineage. In a 2018 Chicago Maroon interview, he said, “At the end of the day, it is important to me that whatever success I get from music has nothing to do with my parents, and is entirely my own version.”
He released his debut album, Oh, So Bittersweet! in 2018, followed by the EP Greenwich Village Ghosts in 2020.
Key Takeaways
- Rosanne Cash’s family story spans two marriages, five children, and a major relocation that shaped her as a parent.
- Each child has carved a distinct path-music, art, business-while maintaining close ties to their mother.
- Rosanne’s public reflections highlight the complexities of balancing fame, motherhood, and personal growth.
These insights illustrate how a celebrated artist navigates the private challenges of family life while continuing to influence the music and creative worlds.
