Carol J. Woliung is best known as the second wife of Major League Baseball’s all-time hits leader Pete Rose. She married him in 1984 after working as a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader and model. They had two children and later divorced. As of 2026 she lives privately in California.
Early Life and Career Before Marriage
Public details on Carol’s childhood remain limited. Her father, John Woliung (1928–2011), was a U.S. Army veteran and mechanic who lived in Texas later in life. His 2011 obituary lists Carol Rose of California among his six children and notes grandchildren including Cara and Tyler Rose.
Carol entered sports entertainment as a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader. She also took modeling assignments linked to sports and Playboy. These roles placed her in athlete and media circles in the late 1970s and early 1980s. That background helped her navigate the intense public attention that came with marrying a baseball star.
Marriage to Pete Rose and Family Life
Carol and Pete Rose married on April 11, 1984. The same year they welcomed son Tyler. Daughter Cara arrived in 1989 (born August 22 according to multiple reports), just days before Rose accepted a lifetime ban from Major League Baseball.
Pete already had children from his first marriage to Karolyn Englehardt (Fawn and Pete Rose Jr.) and had acknowledged another daughter, Morgan, from a prior relationship. Carol became stepmother while raising her own two children. She focused on providing stability amid travel, media, and later the gambling scandal that ended Rose’s baseball career.
| Child | Birth Year | Notes |
| Tyler Rose | 1984 | Son with Carol |
| Cara Rose (stage name Chea Courtney) | 1989 | Daughter; worked as child/teen actress on Melrose Place, Passions, and other shows |
Carol appeared at public events and charity functions during the marriage but rarely gave personal interviews. Collectors still trade signed photos from that era.
Divorce and Life After 2011
Pete Rose filed for divorce in March 2011, citing irreconcilable differences. Court reports from later years described ongoing disputes over support, memorabilia, and finances. In 2018 filings Carol’s side noted concerns about Rose’s gambling and unpaid obligations. Some accounts indicate the process stretched for years; public references treat them as divorced.
After the split Carol stepped fully out of the spotlight. She has lived in the Los Angeles area (Sherman Oaks is mentioned in reports). Friends and limited public notes describe a focus on family and privacy rather than media or public appearances.
Pete Rose died on September 30, 2024, at age 83. Carol has made no public statements reported in major outlets.
Age, Height, and Physical Details in 2026
No verified birth date, age, or height appears in reliable public records or major biographies. Estimates based on her cheerleading and modeling timeline place her in her mid-to-late 60s or early 70s as of 2026, but this remains unconfirmed. Height is likewise unreported. The absence of these details reflects her consistent choice of privacy after the divorce.
Children and Extended Family Today
Tyler Rose has kept a low public profile. Cara Rose, known professionally as Chea Courtney, pursued acting as a child and teen. She appeared in episodes of Melrose Place (as Sarah McBride), Passions, and other television projects in the late 1990s and early 2000s. She received Young Artist Award nominations for some of that work.
Carol maintains private relationships with her children. Extended family includes half-siblings for Tyler and Cara from Pete’s earlier relationships.
Why Carol Chose Privacy
After nearly three decades linked to one of baseball’s most famous and controversial figures, Carol reclaimed a private identity. She declined most interview requests, avoided social media visibility, and focused on life outside the Rose name. That decision stands in contrast to many celebrity spouses who remain in the public eye.
For readers interested in similar stories of athletes’ partners who stepped back, see profiles such as Cheryl Pistono or Marla Heyman. Sports family bios like Saquon Barkley also explore public-private balances.
FAQs
Q: Who is Carol J. Woliung?
A: Carol J. Woliung is a former Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader and model who married baseball player Pete Rose in 1984. They had two children together and later divorced. She now lives a private life in California.
Q: How old is Carol J. Woliung in 2026?
A: No verified birth date or age is publicly available. Based on her career timeline she is believed to be in her mid-to-late 60s or early 70s, but this remains unconfirmed.
Q: What is Carol J. Woliung’s height?
A: Public records and biographies do not list her height. She has never released official physical measurements.
Q: Did Carol J. Woliung and Pete Rose have children?
A: Yes. They had son Tyler Rose in 1984 and daughter Cara Rose (also known as Chea Courtney) in 1989.
Q: When did Carol J. Woliung and Pete Rose divorce?
A: Pete Rose filed for divorce in March 2011 citing irreconcilable differences. Proceedings continued for years with disputes over support and assets.
Q: Where does Carol J. Woliung live now?
A: She has lived privately in California, with Sherman Oaks mentioned in some reports. She avoids public appearances and media.
Q: Was Carol J. Woliung a Playboy model?
A: Sources describe her as a former Playboy Bunny and model connected to sports entertainment before and around the time she met Pete Rose.
Q: What is Cara Rose known for?
A: Cara Rose, using the stage name Chea Courtney, worked as a child and teen actress on shows including Melrose Place and Passions.
Q: Is Carol J. Woliung still connected to baseball?
A: No. After the divorce she stepped away from public baseball-related events and media.
Q: Did Carol J. Woliung comment after Pete Rose’s death?
A: No public statements from her were reported in major outlets following Pete Rose’s death in September 2024.
References
- Who Is Carol J Woliung? The Woman Behind the Name – XPT Magazine
- John Woliung Obituary – American Funeral Service
- Pete Rose 1941– – Encyclopedia.com
- Pete Rose Family: All About Ex-Wives Karolyn Englehardt, Carol J Woliung And Children – Times Now
- Who is Pete Rose’s wife Carol J. Woliung? – The Sun
- Pete Rose’s 5 Children – People
- Peter Rose’s Ex Wives: Carol Woliung Rose & Karolyn Engelhardt – Heavy
- Pete Rose – BR Bullpen / Baseball-Reference
