Jerry Lee Lewis’ Teenage Bride Opens Up: ‘I Was the Adult and Jerry Was the Child’

Myra Williams, now 78 years old, reflects on her life and marriage to singer Jerry Lee Lewis, which took place in 1957 when she was just 13 years old.

Despite the surreal nature of her experiences, Williams confirms that it all did happen to her.

She recounts the significant events of her teenage years, including getting married at 13, becoming a mother at 14, losing her first child at 17, and giving birth to her second child at 19.

Williams acknowledges that being a wife and mother at such a young age was turbulent, but she has found strength through it all.

She emphasizes that she was unfairly judged during that time and referred to as the “child bride,” even though she considers herself to have been the adult in the relationship.

The news of Lewis' death prompted numerous obituaries highlighting the downfall of his career when his marriage to Williams became public.

Radio stations stopped playing his music, his label stopped promoting him, and performance opportunities vanished.

Williams acknowledges the immense burden placed on her as a young girl and notes that this perception of her continues to this day.

Williams took on all the responsibilities that came with her new role as a wife.

She handled household matters, made decisions, managed finances, and even bought a car for Lewis.

Williams shares a story of going to the bank with a large sum of money and being escorted home by a police officer due to concerns about her safety.

According to Williams, drugs played a significant role in the deterioration of their marriage.

Before Lewis started using drugs, he was playful and kind.

However, his personality changed drastically, becoming mean and nasty.

Williams attributes the breakdown of their relationship to Lewis' drug use.

The couple divorced in 1970, with Williams citing adultery and abuse as grounds for separation.

However, they remained in contact over the years due to their shared bond through their daughter.

Williams briefly remarried but considers it a mistake and has been happily married to her current husband for almost 39 years.

Williams struggles to hold back tears when discussing Lewis' death, which occurred shortly after the passing of her father.

She shares the story of how her father discovered Lewis and brought him to Memphis to record with Sun Records.

When her father learned about their elopement, there was initial anger and betrayal, but he eventually accepted the marriage.

Williams stopped speaking to Lewis after he married her former sister-in-law, which deeply hurt her.

She recalls attempting to reach out to him two years ago but being unable to speak when he answered the phone.

Reflecting on her experiences, Williams admits that she wouldn't change the past but would make significant adjustments if given the chance.

She acknowledges that she was just a young, inexperienced girl at the time and wasn't ready for the challenges and responsibilities that came with her marriage to Jerry Lee Lewis.