Latane Brown is best known as the first wife of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Sr. The two married as teenagers in 1968 and had one son, Kerry Earnhardt, before divorcing in 1970. Latane later married Jack Key, who adopted Kerry and helped raise him. Unlike several other members of the Earnhardt family, Latane has lived mostly outside the public eye.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Latane Brown |
| Known for | First wife of Dale Earnhardt Sr. |
| Nationality | American |
| Date of birth | Not publicly confirmed |
| Age | Not publicly confirmed |
| First husband | Dale Earnhardt Sr. |
| Marriage | 1968 |
| Divorce | 1970 |
| Second husband | Jack Key |
| Child | Kerry Earnhardt |
| Son’s birthday | December 8, 1969 |
| Grandchildren | Bobby Dale, Jeffrey, Blade, and Kayla/Kaylan Earnhardt |
| Profession | Not publicly confirmed |
| Net worth | Not publicly known |
Latane Brown’s Early Life
Very little information is publicly available about Latane Brown’s early life. Her date of birth, birthplace, parents, and siblings have not been reliably reported.
Details about her education are also unknown. Most information about Latane begins with her relationship with Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Marriage to Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Latane Brown and Dale Earnhardt Sr. married in 1968. Both were teenagers at the time.
Their marriage came before Dale became one of the biggest names in NASCAR. Their only child together, Kerry Earnhardt, was born on December 8, 1969.
Latane and Dale’s marriage did not last long. They divorced in 1970, about two years after getting married.
The available information does not clearly explain why they separated.
Who Was Dale Earnhardt Sr.?
Dale Earnhardt Sr. was an American professional stock car racing driver and one of NASCAR’s best-known figures.
He began competing in NASCAR’s top series during the 1970s and became famous for driving the black No. 3 Chevrolet. He won seven NASCAR Cup Series championships and 76 Cup Series races during his career.
His biggest victories included the 1998 Daytona 500.
Dale died on February 18, 2001, after a crash on the final lap of the Daytona 500. He was 49.
After his marriage to Latane ended, Dale married Brenda Gee in 1971. They had two children, Kelley Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr., before divorcing in 1979.
Dale later married Teresa Houston in 1982. They had a daughter, Taylor Nicole Earnhardt.
Latane Brown and Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s Son
Latane and Dale’s son, Kerry Earnhardt, was born on December 8, 1969.
After his parents divorced, Kerry primarily grew up with his mother.
Latane later married Jack Key. Jack adopted Kerry, and Kerry used the name Kerry Key during part of his childhood.
According to Kerry, he had no contact with his biological father for several years. From around age five until his teenage years, Jack was the father figure he knew.
Kerry later reconnected with Dale Earnhardt Sr. and eventually returned to using the Earnhardt surname.
Latane Brown’s Second Husband, Jack Key
Latane rebuilt her family life after her divorce from Dale and married Jack Key.
Jack played an important part in Kerry’s childhood. He adopted him and raised him as his own son.
Kerry later spoke positively about his stepfather’s role in his life. Jack took him hunting and golfing and supported his early interest in racing.
When Kerry began racing late-model cars, Jack was also involved with his crew.
There is little public information about Latane and Jack’s marriage. It is also not clear whether they had children together.
Kerry Earnhardt Became a Race Car Driver
Kerry eventually followed his biological father into racing.
Dale Sr. formed Chance Racing for Kerry and his half-brother, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Kerry later raced for other teams as he tried to build his own career.
His NASCAR career was much smaller than his father’s. Kerry made seven starts in the NASCAR Cup Series. He also competed in the Busch Series, now called the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and the Craftsman Truck Series.
Kerry also found success in ARCA competition, where he won four races.
His strong physical resemblance to Dale Sr. often attracted attention. Former NFL quarterback and sports broadcaster Terry Bradshaw, who was involved with one of Kerry’s racing teams, commented on how much Kerry looked and acted like his father.
Latane Brown’s Grandchildren
Latane became a grandmother through Kerry Earnhardt.
Kerry had two sons from an earlier relationship:
- Bobby Dale Earnhardt
- Jeffrey Earnhardt
Kerry later married Rene Earnhardt. They had two more children, Blade and a daughter whose name has been reported as Kayla or Kaylan in different sources.
Kerry and Rene also created The Earnhardt Collection, a lifestyle and home brand influenced by their interest in outdoor living.
Her grandson, Jeffrey Earnhardt, continued the Racing Tradition
Latane’s grandson, Jeffrey Earnhardt, also became a professional race car driver.
Jeffrey has competed across several NASCAR series, including the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Truck Series.
His racing career continued the Earnhardt family’s connection with NASCAR through another generation.
The Earnhardt Family Dispute
Kerry later became involved in a legal dispute with Dale Sr.’s widow, Teresa Earnhardt.
The disagreement involved Kerry and Rene’s use of the Earnhardt name for their business, The Earnhardt Collection.
Teresa challenged Kerry’s attempt to use the family surname commercially. The dispute became part of wider tensions within the Earnhardt family following Dale Sr.’s death.
The legal issue involved Kerry rather than Latane directly.
Latane Brown’s Career
Latane’s profession has not been reliably documented.
There is no strong public record showing that she worked in NASCAR, entertainment, or another public-facing industry.
Most published information about her focuses on her marriages and her son Kerry.
Where Is Latane Brown Now?
Latane largely stayed away from public attention after her divorce from Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Her current residence and activities are not reliably known. She has not maintained the same public profile as Dale’s later wife Teresa or several members of the Earnhardt racing family.
There is also no widely confirmed public social media account belonging to Latane.
Latane Brown’s Net Worth
Latane Brown’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
There is no confirmed information about her income, assets, or career earnings. Estimates found on celebrity websites should not be treated as facts without reliable financial records.
Interesting Facts
- Latane Brown was Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s first wife.
- She and Dale married in 1968 when they were teenagers.
- Their only child together is Kerry Earnhardt.
- Kerry was born on December 8, 1969.
- Latane and Dale divorced in 1970.
- She later married Jack Key.
- Jack adopted Kerry and helped raise him.
- Kerry used the surname Key before later returning to Earnhardt.
- Kerry followed his biological father into professional racing.
- Latane’s grandson Jeffrey Earnhardt also became a NASCAR driver.
- Her date of birth and age have not been publicly confirmed.
- Her profession and personal net worth are not reliably known.
- Latane has kept most of her personal life away from the public.
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