Jesse Belle Deutschendorf Is John Denver's Only Biological Daughter & He Dedicated a Song to Her in

After adopting two children in his first marriage, the late country singer John Denver welcomed Jesse Belle Deutschendorf in his second. Jesse Belle is a cheerful spirit dedicated to an artistic career like her dad.

Jesse Belle Deutschendorf's father, John Denver, was open about his love for her and her adopted siblings. He married Annie Martell in June 1967. The couple took Zachary John and Anna Kate – who would soon be Deutschendorf's older siblings – and raised them under their care.

Later, Deutschendorf's father married again and welcomed his first and last biological daughter. Deutschendorf grew up to be an artist like her dad, pursuing her passion for art and jewelry. She is also passionate about helping people with their health and nutrition.

Jesse Belle Lost Her Father at an Early Age

In 2000, Jeannie St. Marie published the book "John Denver and Me," highlighting some of the events in the late country singer's life. The author revealed that Jesse Belle Deutschendorf was born in May 1989 to John Denver and his wife of six years, Cassandra Delaney.

Deutschendorf's parents had married on August 12, 1988. She lived with them in Aspen, Colorado, a home her father treasured dearly. However, according to John Collins in his book "John Denver: Mother Nature's Son," Delaney wasn't keen on being a stay-at-home mother and wanted to pick up her career in Australia.

This strained their marriage, causing them to grow further apart as Deutschendorf's father insisted they stay in Aspen. Delaney was also involved in local infidelities, which she made little effort to hide, further deteriorating her marriage.

Jesse Belle Deutschendorf is photogrophed at the ceremony honoring her father, John Denver, with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 24, 2014, in Hollywood | Source: Getty Images

Deutschendorf was only four when her parents eventually separated in 1991, with her father suing Delaney for divorce. Following her dad's filing, she moved with her mother to Los Angeles. Her parents' divorce had been finalized by the time she was six in 1993.

After witnessing the dissolution of her parent's union, Deutschendorf lost her dad on October 12, 1997. Denver died tragically in a plane crash. St. Marie wrote that the country singer's friends could attest that his children were among his three greatest joys, including flying and singing.

Jesse Belle Deutschendorf and Zachary John are photogrophed at the ceremony honoring their father, John Denver, with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 24, 2014, in Hollywood | Source: Getty Images

Collins wrote that the artist was incredibly devoted to his children. According to Smooth Radio, Denver expressed how being a father was enough for him to be remembered for, saying:

"I'll tell you the best thing about me. I'm some guy's dad; I'm some little gal's dad. When I die, Zachary John and Anna Kate's father, boy, that's enough for me to be remembered by. That's more than enough."

Denver Dedicated a Song to Jesse Belle Deutschendorf

Jesse Belle Deutschendorf's father was never honored with a Grammy for his outstanding career while he lived. However, she took the 1997 Best Musical Album for Children award on his behalf for his last album, "All Aboard," in which the artist included a "secret song" dedicated to his natural daughter.

The secret song was titled "Whispering Jesse" and wasn't included in the original packaging of the album CD. Deutschendorf stood in for her dad again in 2014 when he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame alongside her brother Zachary John.

Jesse Belle Is an Artist

According to her Squarespace website, Jesse Belle Deutschendorf studied art at several art schools across the US and Australia since she was young. She acquired skills in different crafts, including painting, beading, wire wrapping, fashion design, and more.

Furthermore, Deutschendorf is passionate about health and nutrition and is a certified health coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. In 2020, she worked with author Tim Brubaker on his novel "Pedro's Magic Christmas" as the book's illustrator.

As a professional artist, Deutschendorf uses her Instagram page to share her paintings and jewelry and sells some of her original work. She also posts about her adventures with her friends and family from time to time.

Jesse Belle Got Married in 2019

On September 27, 2019, Jesse Belle Deutschendorf gave her late father, John Denver – who knew he wasn't allowed to fly when he died – a son-in-law, Eli LeGate. The couple has no children but celebrated their 3rd wedding anniversary this year.

Deutschendorf penned a sweet message on Instagram alongside their beautiful wedding photo, calling LeGate her "one and only." Her husband is an avid snowboarder, rollerblader, and artist like his wife. Earlier this year, he started having problems with his knee, which impacted his ability to keep rollerskate or snowboard.

Along with his wife, he started a GoFundMe to raise funds for the surgery to help him get back on track and eradicate the chronic knee pain he experienced. He explained in his GoFundMe note that it would improve his quality of life.

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