Anna Kate Denver is the daughter of adult contemporary superstar John Denver, who had hits such as "Leaving on a Jet Plane" and "Take Me Home, Country Roads." Despite having a famous father, she has mainly lived away from the spotlight.
John Denver, born Henry J. Deutschendorf Jr., and his first wife Ann Martell Denver made Aspen their home, where they raised their kids, Anna Kate Denver and Zachary John Denver. The area also inspired some of the crooner's extensive catalog.
Anna Kate Denver received her education from one of America's top tertiary institutions. With her husband, she settled down in the remote country where they honeymooned. She is active in her community and a keen open-water swimmer.
John Denver with his wife Ann Martell and their dog on October 13, 1997. | Source: Getty Images
John Denver Was 'Always Meant' to Be with His Adopted Kids
Unable to have biological children, the Denvers adopted two kids in the mid-70s, Zachary John, one-quarter Cherokee, and Japanese-American Anna Kate. "How did we ever live without those little children?" mused John:
"We were always meant to be together. It enhances everything."
John and Annie divorced after 15 years together but remained on good terms. The "Back Home Again" singer retained a residence in Aspen and saw their children often.
John Denver and Ann Martell attend the opening night exhibitions of John Denver's Photographs and David Armstrong's Paintings on December 1, 1980, at Hammer Galleries, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Anna Kate Denver Attended an Ivy League College and Had a Win over the IRS
Four years after their father's death, when a plane he was piloting went down in Monterey Bay in 1997, Anna Kate and Zachary John fought the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and won their case.
The siblings were granted a federal tax refund of $594,674 instead of being required to repay approximately $1.5 million in back taxes after the IRS had claimed that the value of their father's $19 million estate was understated by $2.5 million.
Musician John Denver, mother Ora Louisa Swope and wife Annie Martell attends John Denver-David Armstrong Art Exhibit on December 1, 1980, at the Hammer Galleries, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Anna Kate Denver Flourishes in New Zealand
The Fall 2003 Dartmouth class of 1999 newsletter announced that Anna Kate married Jaimie Hutter, who was three years ahead of her at the Ivy League. Jaimie has worked in finance in New York and San Francisco.
The festivities took place in her mother's Aspen home that overlooks the Rocky Mountains, with many of their former classmates in attendance. The newlyweds spent their honeymoon in New Zealand.
Musician John Denver and Annie Martell attend the 20th Annual Grammy Awards on February 23, 1978, at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
The late summer 2005 update of the alumni newsletter reported that the couple had relocated to Wanaka, New Zealand, to run a bed and breakfast, the Wanaka Stonehouse Boutique Lodge.
Anna Kate keeps a low profile but commented in February 2011 on a commemorative gig in John Denver's honor, "My dad had all the best fans in the world, and he still does."
John Denver performs live at the Jaap Eden Hall, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on July 8, 1979. | Source: Getty Images
In late 2009, Anna Kate demonstrated her father's love for the community by organizing her fellow swimmers in response to stringent regulations in Lake Wanaka.
The open-water swimmer worked with authorities to identify the swimming areas and got input from other swim enthusiasts. It is unknown if they are still involved with the lodge, but as of early 2023, they still live in the country with their daughter.
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