Jack White’s Dating History: Meet His 3 Wives

Jack White, esteemed as one of the most iconic guitarists in history, once intertwined his personal life with his musical persona. In 1997, Jack, whose birth name is John Anthony Gillis, formed the rock duo The White Stripes with his then-wife, Meg White. Early on, they presented themselves as siblings, a claim they maintained even after their marriage and subsequent divorce in 2000 became public knowledge. Jack later clarified his reasoning, stating that portraying themselves as siblings helped maintain the focus on their music, rather than any romantic ties. In a 2005 interview with Rolling Stone, he elaborated, “When you see a band that is two pieces, husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend, you think. ‘Oh, I see … ’ When they’re brother and sister, you go, ‘Oh, that’s interesting.’ You care more about the music, not the relationship.”

After The White Stripes gained popularity, Jack was romantically linked with actress Renée Zellweger. He later married twice more — to Karen Elson from 2005 to 2001, and to Olivia Jean, whom he wed in 2022. Jack and Jean parted ways in June 2026, following the Black Belles singer’s divorce filing, citing “inappropriate marital conduct.”

Keep scrolling to explore Jack’s dating history over the years:

Meg White

Jack first met Meg while in high school in Detroit, Michigan. They married on September 21, 1996, and formed The White Stripes a year later. As their fame grew, they publicly claimed to be siblings, with Jack introducing Meg as his “big sister” on stage.

Though Jack and Meg divorced in 2000, they continued to work together in The White Stripes, releasing their sixth and last album, Icky Thump, in 2007. They performed their final concert that same year, officially disbanding in 2011. In 2025, the band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame by Iggy Pop, though Meg did not attend the event.

In a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, Jack admitted he “almost never” spoke to Meg anymore but later expressed regret for suggesting she was unsupportive. On her 50th birthday in December 2024, Jack extended his well-wishes via Instagram, writing, “HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY to my big sister, the great Meg White. There’s only one of you Meggo, they broke the mold. You’re still inspiring people, including me. Love you so much.”

Renee Zellweger

During The White Stripes’ peak, Jack was linked with actress Zellweger after they met on the set of the 2003 film Cold Mountain. Zellweger, who played Ruby Thewes and won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, acted alongside Jack, who played a minor role and contributed to the soundtrack. Their relationship lasted for a year and a half before ending in September 2004.

Karen Elson

After his breakup with Zellweger, Jack started dating British supermodel Elson in 2005, following their meeting on the set of The White Stripes’ “Blue Orchid” music video. They married a month later in a unique ceremony on the Amazon River, officiated by a shaman, with Meg as the maid of honor.

They became parents to two children: daughter Scarlett, born in 2006, and son Henry, born in 2007. In 2010, Elson released her debut album, The Ghost Who Walks, produced and released by Jack on his Third Man label.

Their separation was announced in 2011, marked by a “divorce party” in Nashville to celebrate their friendship and shared history with loved ones. In 2013, Elson obtained a temporary restraining order against Jack, alleging harassment and bullying amid their custody battle. Jack denied these claims in court, stating, “Mr. White does not want to be portrayed as something he is not, violent toward his wife and children.” Their divorce was finalized later that year.

In October 2025, Jack and Elson collaborated on a TikTok video showcasing Scarlett on the runway at Paris Fashion Week.

Olivia Jean

Jack encountered Jean in 2009 after she left her demo CD at a concert of his band, The Dead Weather. He invited her to Nashville to record, leading to the formation of The Black Belles, who released their debut album in 2011. Although the band disbanded the following year, Jean released a solo album in 2014, and her relationship with Jack became romantic.

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On April 8, 2022, Jack proposed to Jean on stage during a concert at Detroit’s Masonic Temple Theatre as they performed The White Stripes’ “Hotel Yorba.” They married during the encore, officiated by Jack’s Third Man cofounder, Ben Swank.

Us confirmed in June 2026 that Jean filed for divorce from Jack after four years of marriage, citing in court documents obtained by Us that Jack was “guilty of inappropriate marital conduct, which makes further cohabitation unsafe and improper.”

Jean requested spousal support, asserting her reliance on Jack’s income for her expenses, and asked the court to require her inclusion in his life insurance.