Pete Rose’s Family, Relationships, and Closest Friends: Everything Revealed
Pete Rose grew up in Cincinnati, surrounded by family and friends who supported his early passion for sports. Throughout his life, he often spoke about the importance of strong relationships, both on and off the baseball field. Many remember how close-knit his family was during his rise to MLB fame.
Family and Upbringing
Pete Rose was born in 1941 in Cincinnati, Ohio, as Peter Edward Rose. Raised in a working-class household, he had early support from his father, Harry Francis Rose, who was a former semi-professional football player. His mother, LaVerne Rose, helped nurture their four children.
Pete was one of four siblings, growing up in a lively home where competition was common. The family environment contributed to his development as an athlete. His father’s passion for sports and hardworking attitude influenced young Pete’s mindset and future success.
Rose married for the first time in 1964 to Karolyn Englehardt. They had two children together, Fawn and Pete Rose Jr., both of whom are his biological children. The couple divorced in 1980. In 1984, Rose married Carol J. Woliung. They welcomed two children, Tyler and Cara, also biological.
Rose’s marriage to Carol ended in 2011. Afterward, he became engaged to Kiana Kim, a model and television personality. They met in the late 2000s and announced their engagement in 2011. As of the most recent updates, they remain engaged and live together.
| Name | Relation | Birth Year |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Francis Rose | Father | 1913 |
| LaVerne Rose | Mother | 1917 |
| Dave Rose | Brother | 1943 |
| Fawn Rose | Daughter | 1964 |
| Pete Rose Jr. | Son | 1969 |
| Tyler Rose | Son | 1994 |
| Cara Rose | Daughter | 1998 |
Relationships through the Years
Rose’s relationship history started with his first wife, Karolyn Englehardt. They married in 1964 and were together for 16 years. Karolyn was a homemaker from Cincinnati. Their marriage ended in 1980.
In 1984, Rose married Carol J. Woliung, a cheerleader and fitness instructor. The couple shared nearly three decades together before divorcing in 2011. Carol is known for her interest in physical fitness and education.
Shortly after, Rose became engaged to Kiana Kim, whom he met around 2009. Kiana is Korean-American and gained some fame as a Playboy model and TV personality. The couple has appeared together in public and on reality TV.
| Name | Relationship Type | Time Period |
|---|---|---|
| Karolyn Englehardt | Ex-wife | 1964–1980 |
| Carol J. Woliung | Ex-wife | 1984–2011 |
| Kiana Kim | Fiancée | 2011–present |
Friends Throughout Life
Pete Rose has built strong friendships throughout his baseball career. His closest friends were often teammates from his days with the Cincinnati Reds. One of his most notable friendships was with Johnny Bench, a fellow Hall of Famer, whom he met as Reds teammates in the late 1960s.
Rose also had a longstanding bond with Tony Perez, another member of the “Big Red Machine.” These friendships often began inside the clubhouse and extended off the field, built over years of playing together and winning championships.
Some of these relationships went through rough times due to controversies, but many persisted. While circumstances changed, their shared experiences and respect for the game kept them close.
| Name | Known Since | Profession |
|---|---|---|
| Johnny Bench | 1967 | Baseball Player |
| Tony Perez | 1964 | Baseball Player |
| Joe Morgan | 1972 | Baseball Player |
