Tom Petty’s wife Dana York Biography: Net Worth, Height, Ethnicity, Age, Parents, Siblings, Child, Husband

Dana York, also known as Dana York Petty, is a former educator and band manager best known for her marriage to the late legendary American rock musician Tom Petty.

She gained public recognition for her unwavering support during Petty’s struggles with drug addiction and for her role in managing his band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, after leaving her career in education.

Following Petty’s death in 2017, Dana has been involved in preserving his musical legacy, though her private nature has kept much of her personal life out of the spotlight.

Profile

• Full Name: Dana York Epperson
• Stage Name: Dana York Petty
• Born: 1964
• Age: 61 years old
• Birthplace: Flint, Michigan, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Former Educator and Band Manager
• Height: 1.67m
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Epperson
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Tom Petty (m. 2001–2017)
• Children: Dylan Epperson
• Relationship: Widowed
• Net Worth: $90 million

Early Life and Education

Dana York Epperson was born in 1964 in Flint, Michigan, United States. She grew up in Flushing, Michigan, and after her family relocated there during her childhood, she was raised by her parents, referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Epperson, with her mother currently residing in Fenton, Michigan.

Details about her father and any siblings are not publicly available, reflecting her privacy preference. Dana graduated from Flushing High School in 1982; however, further information about her higher education or academic achievements is not disclosed. Her ethnicity is Caucasian, and her religious affiliation is not publicly disclosed.

Career

Dana York first established herself professionally in the field of education long before gaining wider public attention through her marriage to legendary musician Tom Petty.

She served as the principal of University High School in Ferndale, Michigan, where she was known for her dedication to student development and academic leadership.

Her early career reflects a strong commitment to guiding and nurturing young minds, highlighting her values of discipline, mentorship, and service within the education system.

Her late husband, Tom Petty—born Thomas Earl Petty—rose to prominence in the early 1970s after forming the band Mudcrutch in Gainesville, Florida.

He achieved international fame as the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, with their 1976 debut album yielding classic hits such as “American Girl.”

Known for his emotionally resonant songwriting and distinctive voice, Petty quickly became a central figure in American rock music. His reputation was further elevated through high-profile tours with Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead, as well as through successful solo ventures, beginning with the acclaimed Full Moon Fever in 1989.

Throughout a career spanning over four decades, Tom Petty sold more than 80 million records worldwide and released landmark albums, including Damn the Torpedoes (1979) and Wildflowers (1994).

He was also a founding member of the supergroup Travelling Wilburys, collaborating with legends such as George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, and Jeff Lynne.

Despite facing personal battles with addiction, Petty’s creative output remained prolific and influential until his passing in 2017. His legacy was further honoured with posthumous releases, such as An American Treasure (2018), which affirmed his enduring impact on the music world.

Social Media

Dana York Epperson is not active on social media networks.

Personal Life

Dana York Epperson married Tom Petty on June 3, 2001, in a private ceremony at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, followed by a second celebration at their Malibu home officiated by Little Richard. They met in 1991 at a concert in Houston, Texas, when both were married to other spouses, reconnecting in 1996 after their respective divorces.

Dana has a son, Dylan Epperson, from her first marriage and is stepmother to Petty’s daughters, Adria Petty and Annakim Violette, from his marriage to Jane Benyo.

Dana played a pivotal role in supporting Petty through his heroin addiction, drawing from her experience with her father’s substance abuse and helping mend his relationships with his daughters. She remains widowed and lives privately, recently purchasing properties in Los Angeles.

Net Worth

Dana York’s estimated net Worth is USD 90 million, primarily derived from her role as the sole trustee of Tom Petty’s estate, which includes his extensive music catalogue, real estate, and intellectual properties.

While her career as an educator and band manager contributed to her income, Tom Petty’s estate, valued at approximately $95 million at the time of his death, remains the primary source of her financial success.