Who Is Carol J. Woliung? Everything to Know About Pete Rose’s Second Wife

Carol J. Woliung is the second wife of Pete Rose, the former MLB player and manager widely recognized as the all time hits leader in baseball history. Carol and Pete married in 1984, and the couple’s later divorce, which Pete filed for in 2011, became a notably contentious legal matter that stretched on for several years. This article gathers the verified facts about Carol J. Woliung, her marriage to Pete Rose, and her connection to one of baseball’s most discussed and record setting figures.
Carol J. Woliung: Quick Bio Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Carol J. Woliung Rose |
| Spouse | Pete Rose, former MLB player and manager |
| Married | 1984 |
| Divorce Filed | 2011 |
| Known For | Being Pete Rose’s second wife |
A Marriage That Followed His First
Carol J. Woliung married Pete Rose in 1984, becoming his second wife following his earlier marriage to Karolyn Engelhardt, which had also ended in divorce amid reported talk of infidelity. This kind of second marriage, following a previous significant relationship that ended under difficult circumstances, gave Carol a connection to Pete during a later chapter of his life, well after his earlier marriage and divorce had already become part of his public history.
Marrying a partner following an earlier significant relationship that ended in a difficult divorce often means navigating a family history already shaped by that previous chapter, since a new marriage inevitably exists within the context of whatever came before it. Karolyn herself later made a notable comment about Carol, saying she felt sorry for her, reflecting the complicated dynamic that existed between Pete’s two former wives even though they were connected only through their shared history with him.
This kind of connection between two ex-wives, linked only through their respective marriages to the same significant public figure, reflects a particular and somewhat unusual family dynamic shaped entirely by Pete’s own personal history.
A Notably Contentious Divorce
Pete filed for divorce from Carol in 2011, but the case dragged on for several years before reaching its eventual conclusion, with Carol asking the court for a better financial arrangement throughout the lengthy proceedings. In 2018, Carol accused Pete of spending heavily on gambling, claiming in court filings that he blew most of his cash in high stakes gambling sessions, while Pete argued that his declining health justified limiting her spousal support and attorney’s fees.
A divorce proceeding that stretches on for several years amid significant financial disputes often reflects deep disagreements between both parties about the appropriate financial settlement, particularly when one party’s spending habits become a central point of contention during the lengthy legal process. This kind of notably contentious divorce, spanning years of legal back and forth, gave Carol and Pete’s marriage a particularly difficult and drawn out conclusion.
This kind of lengthy and financially focused dispute, playing out over several years in court, reflects the significant complications that can arise when ending a marriage involving a public figure with his own complicated financial history.
Pete Rose’s Career for Context
To understand the significant public attention connected to Carol’s marriage, it helps to understand her husband’s record setting baseball career. Pete Rose built a significant and widely recognized career as a player and later manager, becoming known as MLB’s all time hits leader, a record that has given him lasting significance within baseball history despite the considerable controversy that later affected his legacy.
This significant and sustained baseball career, spanning both his playing days and his later managerial role, gave Carol’s marriage a connection to one of the sport’s most record setting and widely discussed figures throughout their years together. His own Wikipedia biography documents both his playing records and the considerable controversy surrounding his lifetime ban from baseball, giving additional context for the complicated public figure Carol was married to for decades.
Pete Rose’s Final Years
Pete was not married when he died in September 2024, having been survived by his fiancée, Kiana Kim, reflecting the personal life he had built in the years following his lengthy divorce from Carol. Coverage of his death and lasting legacy detailed both of his significant marriages, giving additional context for understanding Carol’s place within his broader and often complicated personal history.

This kind of final chapter, arriving years after his divorce from Carol concluded, gave Pete’s personal story its own eventual resolution separate from the lengthy legal proceedings that had defined the end of their marriage.
Why People Search for Carol J. Woliung
Public interest in Carol J. Woliung comes almost entirely from her marriage to Pete Rose, baseball’s all time hits leader and one of the sport’s most discussed figures. Fans following Pete’s career and his personal history, particularly those familiar with his notably contentious divorce proceedings, occasionally search for information about Carol as part of understanding the fuller picture of his complicated personal life.
Conclusion
Carol J. Woliung is the second wife of former MLB player and manager Pete Rose, having married him in 1984 before their marriage ended in a notably contentious divorce that stretched on for several years following his 2011 filing. Despite the lengthy and financially focused dispute that marked the end of their marriage, Carol remains connected to one of baseball’s most record setting and widely discussed figures.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carol J. Woliung
Who is Carol J. Woliung?
Carol J. Woliung is the second wife of former MLB player and manager Pete Rose.
When did Carol J. Woliung and Pete Rose marry?
They married in 1984.
When did Pete Rose file for divorce from Carol J. Woliung?
He filed for divorce in 2011, and the case took several years to resolve.
What is Pete Rose known for?
He is known as MLB’s all time hits leader and for his significant playing and managerial career.
Was Pete Rose married when he died?
No. He was not married at the time of his death in September 2024 and was survived by his fiancée, Kiana Kim.



