It’s always intriguing when you know that a celebrity is getting married. Who could it be that charmed our favorite singer/actor that they decided to marry them?
Most importantly, what will their love story be like in the movies? You have to assume it will be, right? Well, no, not every marriage has a storybook ending.
At least, that wasn’t the case for Jayne Posner. Who is she? How did her marriage end? Let’s find out!
Jayne Posner’s Early Life
Jayne Posner? Where have I heard that name before? She’s Neil Diamond’s ex-wife, so you must have heard her name thrown here and there.
If I had to describe Posner in one word, I’d use “Private.” Yes, the lady doesn’t share any information about her life with the public, making my job ten times harder.
I didn’t come empty-handed, though. After scouring the deepest corners of the internet, I can now tell you that Posner was born in 1940 in the U.S. The specific month is still a mystery, though.
She graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School, but her post-high school academic life went under the radar. Some say she majored in business administration, but these are only speculations.
That’s all there is on Posner’s early personal life. The public doesn’t know anything about her parents or familial relationships. Talk about a detective’s worst nightmare.
Jayne Posner’s Husband
If you know your music, you know the famous Neil Diamond. He’s only one of the most famous American singers in the world. Why don’t we take a look at his career?
Early Music Life
Diamond’s journey in the music industry is a classic one. His passion for music was ignited in high school when he received his first guitar at 16.
He soon started taking classes and writing his songs. Throughout the following years, he tried making local music producers read his songs with no success.
He kept at it, though, until his senior year in college. That’s when Sunbeam Music Publishing hired him as a songwriter for 16 weeks, and Diamond dropped out of college to focus on that gig.
That was the first step he needed to gain momentum. 1962 Diamond teamed up with his high school friend, Jack Packer, to form Neil and Jack.
Despite the lack of creativity in the name, the band recorded four singles that received positive reviews from the Billboard and Cashbox magazines.
Diamond kept writing songs solo the following years, barely making enough money to survive. Over time, he kept improving and honing his craft. It wasn’t long before he started writing for other famous bands, like The Monkees and Jay and the Americans.
These songs included “I’m a Believer,” “Sunday and Me,” and “A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You.”
Diamond’s First Label
After garnering enough fame, Diamond signed a deal with Bang Records and released his first label as a solo artist, “Solitary Man.” The song instantly succeeded, establishing his name as a competent singer and songwriter.
Releasing “Cherry, Cherry” and “Kentucky Woman” soon afterward, Diamond became successful enough to start doing concerts.
When I say concerts, I don’t mean 20,000 people screaming his name. No, he started small, opening for other bands like the Who and Herman’s Hermits.
Diamond’s First Live Double Album
At that point in his life, Diamond had a moderately successful career, writing classics like “I Am…I Said” and “Sweet Caroline.” However, his fame would peak with his iconic live double album, Hot August Night.
Diamond put every ounce of skill and talent into that show to give his audience an atmospheric experience, which paid off.
The album was number one for over seven months in Australia and stayed on the top 20 bestseller list for two years.
Diamond’s First Film Appearance
You know how the entertainment industry works: A singer becomes so famous that producers eventually ask him to appear in their movies.
So, in 1980, Neil Diamond appeared on the big screen as Jess Robin in The Jazz Singer.
Unfortunately, the movie failed miserably, and Diamond received a Worst Actor Razzie Award. I guess Neil Patrick Harris was right when he said: “But being famous doesn’t mean that you will get a good review.”
Despite Diamond’s failure as an actor, the songs he performed in that movie all received rave reviews, especially “America.”
The song became one of the most influential songs in American history. It was played at the end of the Iran hostage crisis, the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, and the Martin Luther King Jr tribute.
Jayne Posner and Neil Diamond’s Relationship
Posner met Diamond immediately after graduating high school; Diamond was only 17 years old. So, he wasn’t the famous singer you know today. They quickly took a liking to each other and started dating.
Although he eventually became an influential star, Diamond’s career was rocky. However, Poser always had his back, supporting him throughout every step of the way.
That’s why Diamond often credited her for what his career turned out to be. Isn’t that sweet? So, in 1963, everyone was happy to know that Neil Diamond and Jayne Posner finally tied the knot.
The couple soon welcomed their two daughters, Elyn and Marjorie, and everyone thought their spark would last forever. Unfortunately, it didn’t.
Jayne Posner and Neil Diamond’s Divorce
You know what they say: Happy endings are just unfinished stories. Yes, Posner’s seemingly happy marriage didn’t last that long.
In 1967, the couple announced their separation and got divorced in 1969. Although the public didn’t know much about their private life, everyone was shocked to learn their marriage ended so soon.
After all, they seemed to be doing as fine as ever. People wanted answers, but Posner chose to keep the matter private. Her husband, however, quickly answered the public’s demands.
Diamond took the blame for the divorce, claiming to have been an absent father and husband. However, another rumor was roaming around the media.
You can probably tell where I’m going with this: Infidelity. Some claim that Diamond cheated on Posner, but these are mere rumors and don’t have any solid ground.
Either way, it doesn’t seem like the divorce affected the famous singer much, as he married Marcia Murphey ten days after signing the divorce papers. That marriage didn’t last forever, though.
What Does Jayne Posner Do for a Living?
Before marrying Diamond, Posner was a teacher in New York City but quit soon after her marriage. Since she doesn’t share any public stories on social media, we don’t know if she returned to teaching after the divorce or decided to pursue a different endeavor.
Final Thoughts
Now you know everything about Jayne Posner, although it’s not much. Despite being married to a famous singer, Posner stays private, refraining from sharing her life with the public.