John Dewberry has spent decades building a reputation as a relentless force in Southern real estate. If you follow Atlanta or Charleston business news, you know the name. He’s the guy who turned an abandoned federal building into a world-class luxury hotel. He’s the former Georgia Tech quarterback who famously beat UGA two years in a row. He's also the guy who spent years being described by the media as one of the South's most eligible and "lifelong" bachelors.
So, when people start searching for "John Dewberry first wife," there is usually a bit of confusion.
Honestly, the answer isn’t a list of former spouses or a messy divorce history. For the vast majority of his public life, John Dewberry didn't have a first wife. He was famously single, focused almost entirely on his real estate empire and his pursuit of what he calls "perfection" in architecture and development. It wasn't until much later in life—well into his 50s—that he finally decided to tie the knot.
The Bachelor Who Finally Settled Down
For years, local profiles in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Charleston lifestyle magazines painted a picture of a man married to his work. He lived a high-flying life: private jets, racehorses in Ireland, and a massive portfolio of undeveloped land along Peachtree Street. He was the quintessential "lone wolf" of the development world.
In a 2015 feature, he was still being referred to as a "lifelong bachelor." He wasn't avoiding commitment; he was just incredibly particular. Whether it’s the exact shade of marble in a lobby or the person he shares his life with, Dewberry has a reputation for not settling.
Everything changed when he met Jaimie Brown.
Jaimie is often the person people are actually looking for when they search for his wife. While she is technically his "first wife," she’s also his current wife, and the two have become a powerhouse duo in the hospitality and design space.
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Who is Jaimie Brown Dewberry?
Jaimie wasn't just a socialite who happened to catch the eye of a wealthy developer. She brought her own pedigree to the table. Growing up in Dalton, Georgia—the "carpet capital of the world"—her parents were in the design and home décor business. It’s in her DNA.
When they met, she was working in fashion and event hosting. Their meeting sounds like something out of a Southern romance novel. It happened at a college football game where John was being honored as an alumnus. A few years later, in 2017, they held a massive, stunning wedding on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.
A Partnership Built on Design
If you’ve stepped foot inside The Dewberry in Charleston, you’re seeing their combined vision. While John handles the "bricks and sticks" and the high-stakes financing, Jaimie is the creative engine.
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- Studio Dewberry: She serves as the Principal of their internal design firm.
- The Vibe: She is responsible for the mid-century modern aesthetic that has made their properties famous.
- Philanthropy: She directs The Dewberry Foundation, managing their charitable efforts.
It’s a rare case where the "first wife" is also the person who helped redefine the brand. Before Jaimie, John's companies were largely seen as aggressive real estate holding firms. After their marriage, the brand shifted toward luxury, hospitality, and high-end aesthetics.
Why the Confusion Exists
So, why do people keep asking about a first wife or a "previous" marriage?
Part of it comes from the sheer length of time John spent in the spotlight before getting married. When a high-profile man reaches his 50s without a wedding ring, the public often assumes there must be a "secret" first marriage or a buried divorce. In John’s case, he was simply waiting.
Another source of confusion might be his late mother, Betty Dewberry. In various family obituaries and social announcements, the name "Dewberry" appears alongside mentions of wives and family members. For instance, John’s brother, Douglas, has been married for years. If you’re skimming old family records, it’s easy to mix up which "John" or which "Dewberry" brother the articles are talking about.
There is also a separate "Dewberry" family in Virginia—the ones behind Dewberry Engineers—who John famously fought in a massive trademark lawsuit that went all the way to the Supreme Court. That family has their own long history of marriages and "first wives," which often clutters the search results when people are looking for the Atlanta developer.
Life Today: A New Chapter
In 2024, the couple made headlines again for a very different reason. After years of building hotels and office towers, they announced they were expecting their first child. For a man who spent the first five decades of his life as a bachelor, this was a massive shift.
They currently split their time between:
- Charleston: Where their flagship hotel sits.
- Atlanta: The home base for the Dewberry Group.
- Doonbeg, Ireland: Where John owns a home and indulges his love for the Irish countryside.
Actionable Insights for Researching Public Figures
When looking into the personal histories of business titans like John Dewberry, it’s easy to get lost in the "noise" of AI-generated snippets and outdated social columns. Here is how to find the real story:
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- Check Business Litigation: Court documents (like the recent SCOTUS case Dewberry Group, Inc. v. Dewberry Engineers) often contain precise biographical details that are verified under oath.
- Look for Long-Form Profiles: Local newspapers like the AJC or Charleston Magazine offer much more nuance than a "top 10 facts" website.
- Verify Family Ties: Always cross-reference sibling names. John’s brother Douglas is a frequent fixture in his business dealings, and his marriage is often confused with John’s in quick searches.
John Dewberry’s "first wife" isn't a mystery from his past; she’s the woman who helped him build the second half of his legacy. Sometimes, the "lifelong bachelor" narrative is actually true—until it isn't.