Carol J. Woliung lived much of her life away from the spotlight. Yet her name is part of American sports history because she was married to Pete Rose, the Cincinnati Reds legend. This article tells her story in clear, simple English. It looks at what is known from reliable sources and avoids guesswork. You will also find a quick bio table and 10 helpful FAQs at the end.
Quick Bio
Iteam | Detail |
---|---|
Full name | Carol J. Woliung |
Known for | Second wife of MLB star Pete Rose |
Marriage | Married 1984; Rose filed for divorce 2011 |
Children | Tyler Rose (b. 1984) and Cara Rose (actress known as Chea Courtney, b. 1989) |
Past work | Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader (known then as Liberty Belles) |
Public life | Keeps a private profile; appears in news mainly through Pete Rose coverage |
Early Life and Background
There is little verified public information about Carol’s early years. Reliable news sources write about her in connection with Pete Rose rather than as a public figure on her own. What we can say with confidence is that she worked as a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader before or around the time she met Rose. The Washington Post obituary for Pete Rose notes this clearly when listing his marriages and family.
Because Carol is a private person, you will not find many interviews or personal profiles from her. This is normal for spouses of famous athletes from the 1980s and 1990s. Their stories often appear only when the athlete’s career or personal life is in the news.
Meeting Pete Rose and Marriage

Pete Rose’s life on and off the field drew wide media attention. He was already a star when he and Carol became a couple. According to major references on Rose’s personal life, Pete Rose married Carol J. Woliung in 1984. This is confirmed in widely used biographical sources and repeated in major newspapers.
Their wedding came during a busy time in Rose’s career. He was still an active player and a national figure. The marriage would last many years, through moves, media pressure, and later legal issues that touched Rose’s career.
Their Children: Tyler and Cara
Carol and Pete had two children together:
- Tyler Rose, born in 1984.
- Cara Rose, born in 1989. Cara worked as a child actress under the name Chea Courtney.
Mainstream outlets also describe Pete Rose’s larger family, including his two older children from his first marriage and a daughter recognized in a 1996 paternity case. These stories often mention Carol’s role as his second wife and mother of Tyler and Cara.
Life in the Public Eye
Even though Carol kept a low profile, the public sometimes saw brief moments of family life. For example, media pieces from the mid-1980s describe Pete with his infant son Tyler around the ballpark, highlighting the family side of a very public star. Family summaries and photo captions from reputable entertainment and news outlets also place Tyler’s birth in 1984 and Cara’s in 1989.
Still, Carol herself rarely gave interviews. Most of what is printed about her comes from articles where the main topic is Pete Rose’s sports legacy, his MLB ban, and later developments after his death in September 2024. The Washington Post obituary, for example, simply notes that Pete’s marriages to his first wife, Karolyn Englehardt, and to former Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader Carol Woliung ended in divorce, and lists his children, including the two he had with Carol.
Separation and Divorce
Pete Rose filed for divorce in March 2011, citing irreconcilable differences. This filing is documented in reliable biographical summaries and discussed in local and national coverage at the time. The process drew attention because Rose was a high-profile figure and because it came after a long marriage that began in 1984.
The reporting focused mainly on Pete’s legal filings and later public relationships rather than on Carol’s private life. In this period, Carol largely stayed out of the press. That may be one reason why genuine, well-sourced details about her personal activities after 2011 are limited.
After Pete Rose’s Death
Pete Rose passed away on September 30, 2024. Coverage from leading outlets reviewed his life and family, again naming Carol Woliung as his second wife and the mother of two of his children. These articles also set out the broader context of his legacy, his ban from Major League Baseball in 1989, and the later discussions about his status.
In May 2025, there were major news stories about MLB removing Rose from the permanently ineligible list, which changed how the league viewed his case after his death. Those pieces centered on the children’s reactions rather than on Carol, who remained out of the spotlight.
What We Can and Cannot Confirm
Because many websites repeat the same unsourced lines, it helps to separate verified facts from rumors:
- Confirmed
- Marriage in 1984; divorce filing in 2011.
- Two children with Pete: Tyler and Cara (Chea Courtney).
- Carol was a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader.
- Not solidly sourced
- Exact birth date or birth year for Carol.
- Claims about other jobs or personal details sometimes seen on small blogs.
- Any current residence or daily life specifics after the divorce.
When writing about private people, it is best to rely on established newsrooms or reference works. For Carol, the most trustworthy points come from the Washington Post obituary, the People magazine overview of Rose’s children, and long-standing biographical records for Pete Rose.
Carol’s Place in Pete Rose’s Story

Pete Rose’s career is one of the most discussed in baseball history. He is MLB’s all-time hits leader and a central figure in debates about sports, ethics, and fame. In these discussions, Carol J. Woliung often appears in a short line: second wife, mother of two of his children, former Eagles cheerleader. That may seem like a small role in a giant story. But it is also a reminder that the lives around a superstar carry real weight, even when they choose privacy.
Carol lived through years of stadium cheers, media noise, and later legal turmoil around Rose’s ban and his personal life. Through it all, she stayed mostly silent in the press. That quiet approach helped keep her own story simple and respectful, grounded in a few clear facts rather than constant publicity.
Why does accurate sourcing matter here?
Search engines and social media are full of repeating claims. Some sites copy from others, and small errors can spread fast. In Carol’s case, that can lead to confusion about her background. This guide uses reputable, named sources and sticks to facts that can be checked.
Using these, we avoid guesswork and respect Carol’s choice to live more privately.
Final thoughts
Carol J. Woliung did not seek fame, even when married to one of the most famous names in baseball. The solid facts about her are simple: she was an Eagles cheerleader, she married Pete Rose in 1984, they had two children, and Rose filed for divorce in 2011. Beyond that, she chose privacy. Respecting that choice means being careful with sources and repeating only what trustworthy outlets confirm. Using that standard, we can tell her story clearly and fairly.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Carol J. Woliung?
Carol J. Woliung is best known as Pete Rose’s second wife and the mother of two of his children. She worked as a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader and has kept a low public profile. - When did Carol marry Pete Rose?
They married in 1984. - Do Carol and Pete have children together?
Yes. They have Tyler Rose (born 1984) and Cara Rose (an actress known as Chea Courtney, born 1989). - Was Carol an NFL cheerleader?
Yes. She was a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader. - When did Pete Rose file for divorce from Carol?
Pete Rose filed for divorce in March 2011. - Is Carol active in the media today?
No. She stays private, and most public mentions are in stories about Pete Rose and the family. - What is known about Carol’s early life and birth date?
Major outlets do not publish a verified birth date for Carol. Sources focus on her time as a cheerleader and her role in Rose’s life. - Did Carol appear in TV shows or films?
No well-sourced reports say she did. However, her daughter Cara (Chea Courtney) appeared as a child actress. - How many total children does Pete Rose have?
Pete Rose has five children in total (two with his first wife, two with Carol, and one recognized in a 1996 paternity case). - What changed after Pete Rose’s death regarding his MLB status?
In May 2025, MLB removed Rose from the permanently ineligible list, a major posthumous change. Coverage focused on his children’s reactions; Carol remained private.
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