What Happened to John Dutton's Wife, Evelyn Dutton? (2024)

Fans of the Yellowstone series are on the edge of their seats as they watch the Dutton family fight to defend their lands. The show has plenty of enigmatic characters, and one that has fans debating is Evelyn Dutton, John Dutton’s wife. There are a lot of speculations about her death and her relationship with her family, especially Beth Dutton.

RELATED: The Cast of Yellowstone and Where You Might’ve Seen Them Before

For starters, she only made four appearances in the show, all of which were in a flashback or simply photos of her shown during the show. One thing is for sure, John Dutton hasn’t moved on after losing his beloved spouse, even after decades have passed since her death.

Her death also took a considerable toll on her children, especially Beth. As most Yellowstone fans know, Evelyn was tough on Beth during her childhood. Enough for some viewers to speculate that she hates her daughter.

What Happened to Evelyn?

RELATED: Did John Dutton Die in the Yellowstone Series?

So, how did Evelyn Dutton die? She lost her life on March 30, 1997, during a horseback riding accident. Her horse got spooked and fell on her while she was out riding with Beth and Kayce.

Before the tragic incident, Beth was nervous while on her horse, causing it to get spooked. As a result, Evelyn’s horse also got spooked, resulting in her death. When she falls, Kayce stays by Evelyn’s side while Beth rushes off to call for help.

During that time, Evelyn looks at Beth and says, “She did this. Let her undo it.” While Beth managed to find and bring her father to the scene, they were too late. Evelyn Dutton takes her last breath when John reaches her. As for Beth, she gets traumatized by the incident and the harsh dying words of her mother.

Evelyn and Beth’s “Talk”

It’s no secret that throughout her appearance in Yellowstone, Beth’s mother, Evelyn Dutton was tough on her. It led to many fans thinking that she hated her. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case at all. It turns out she was hard on her because she wanted to toughen her up.

Evelyn even said something to Beth the day the young girl got her first period. Evelyn says that everything will change for Beth starting that day. She made her aware that she was entering a world dominated by men.

Now because of that, Evelyn says she’ll be harder on her so that she can turn Beth into something that most men will never be. Evelyn then apologizes to her in advance, saying she will hate everything that’s about to happen to her.

Why Does Beth Blame Herself for Her Mother’s Death?

“A horse is only scared of what you’re scared of – you’re scared of everything. Now, he is too…”
– Evelyn Dutton (Gretchen Mol) #Yellowstone pic.twitter.com/P4Pqjg9yXf

— Yellowstone (@Yellowstone) July 12, 2018

Following her mother’s death, Beth starts having a terrible time in life. It seems she is blaming herself for everything that happened that day. She feels guilty about the accident and, at one point, even believes that she killed her mother by “being scared” when they went horseback riding that time.

Both siblings had to deal with their loss at a young age. It’s safe to say that her mother’s passing and coldness towards her during her death have left a lasting trauma on Beth. In one episode, during Evelyn’s death anniversary, Beth, struggling to cope, bathed in a trough and drank champagne to wash away her guilt.

Though already gone, Evelyn Dutton still significantly impacts everyone she’s left behind in Yellowstone, especially Beth. What other consequences Evelyn’s death has for the rest of the family remains to be seen.

What Happened to John Dutton's Wife, Evelyn Dutton? (2024)

FAQs

What Happened to John Dutton's Wife, Evelyn Dutton? ›

Evelyn Dutton died after being thrown from her horse back in 1997 when the Dutton children were young, as shown in Yellowstone Season 1 Episode 3. The memory is clearly a tough one for Beth, who was treated as though she was at fault. Beth, who was nervous and skittish on horses, was out riding with Evelyn and Kayce.

What happened to Evelyn Dutton on Yellowstone? ›

A flashback to 1997 shows Evelyn went riding with two of her children, Beth and Kayce. During a moment of Beth's hesitation, Evelyn fell from her horse. Her horse fell onto her and crushed her. Though she did not succumb immediately, Evelyn died within a few hours.

How many children did James and Margaret Dutton have? ›

Margaret (Faith Hill), married to James, was the original leading lady of the Dutton family. She served as a nurse in the Civil War in which James fought in. She was the mother to three children (whom we meet in 1883), Elsa, John, and Spencer.

What happened to John Dutton's first wife? ›

John Dutton III, patriarch of the family, is the seventh generation owner, just like his father before him. John is a widow, his wife, Evelyn Dutton died in a horse riding accident in the late 90's, who he still grieves heavily over.

Who was Evelyn Dutton's favorite child? ›

While the flashbacks to Evelyn's life are few and far between, one dynamic is super clear: She had a special bond with her youngest, Kayce. "I still think Kayce is John's favorite. He's the youngest of the family, and he's Evelyn's favorite.

What did Evelyn say to Beth before she died? ›

"You're scared of everything, now he is too," Evelyn tells a young Beth just seconds before the accident that leads to her death, which she then blames Beth for.

Why did Evelyn blame Beth for her death? ›

This then caused a chain reaction, as Evelyn was flung off her own horse when it was spooked by Beth's own steed. After the tragic fall, she looked at Beth and said some harsh final words, telling Kayce: “She did this. Let her undo it.”

What happened to Margaret Dutton? ›

Margaret Dutton was the first matriarch of the Dutton family and mother to Elsa, John, and Spencer. She died of hypothermia during a bitter Montana winter, shortly after James died after being shot by horse thieves.

What happened to James and Margaret Dutton after 1883? ›

James & Margaret Dutton Both Died Long Before 1923

James does return, but it turns out he's been shot, with the first episode of 1923 confirming - via Elsa Dutton's ghostly voiceover narration - that he died of that bullet shortly after.

How many children did John and Margaret have in 1883? ›

Margaret Dutton

Faith Hill joined her real-life husband, McGraw, in 1883 as his onscreen wife Margaret. She has three children, Elsa, John and Spencer — the latter whom she gave birth to sometime after the family arrived in Montana.

Why does Beth hate Jamie so much? ›

As Beth keeps reminding viewers, she has been perpetually angry at Jamie for how Jamie inadvertently made her sterile by helping her get an abortion when they were both teenagers.

Which Dutton son died? ›

Lee Dutton's death is a significant event that establishes the high stakes and the often violent world of Yellowstone. As the eldest Dutton son and a Livestock Agent, Lee's dedication to his family's ranch is unwavering.

Why did John Dutton adopt Jamie? ›

His father beat his mother to death when Jamie was three months old. Jamie was then adopted by Evelyn Dutton and her husband John, and he came to live with a ranching family. Before John Dutton inherited the ranch, his ancestors, James and Margaret Dutton, had already settled in the Yellowstone vicinity.

What happened to James Dutton in 1923? ›

Jacob Dutton, James Dutton

The Duttons will reach and settle the Yellowstone during this trip, losing their daughter Elsa in the process. James later dies in 1893 after being shot by horse thieves. The temporal gap between 1883 and 1923 is obviously 40 years.

What happened to Lee Dutton on Yellowstone? ›

Unbeknownst to Lee, his brother Kayce Dutton, was attempting to prevent him removing the cattle from the reservation. Lee was shot and mortally wounded by Robert Long, who was about to finish him off at point-blank range when Kayce intercepted and killed Robert. Lee died shortly after and was buried at the family grave ...

Which son was with Mrs Dutton when she died? ›

During episode three, Evelyn was out horseriding with a young Beth (Kylie Rogers) and Kayce Dutton (Rhys Alterman) when she died a tragic death. In the moments before, Beth was working towards getting over her fear of horses when she accidentally spooked hers.

Why did the Duttons adopt Jamie? ›

He explained how he wanted his son to be raised by different parents as Phyllis was a drug addict who had no regard for Jamie. Garrett claimed he killed his wife so he would be sent to prison and Jamie would be taken into care.

Did Beth Dutton have a hysterectomy? ›

Decades ago, Beth had an abortion, which this same brother had cosigned for. But he had withheld from her that the women's clinic where she would get the abortion required she also get a full hysterectomy—a far-too-common practice at clinics that provided care for indigenous women until well into the 1970s.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dong Thiel

Last Updated:

Views: 5924

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dong Thiel

Birthday: 2001-07-14

Address: 2865 Kasha Unions, West Corrinne, AK 05708-1071

Phone: +3512198379449

Job: Design Planner

Hobby: Graffiti, Foreign language learning, Gambling, Metalworking, Rowing, Sculling, Sewing

Introduction: My name is Dong Thiel, I am a brainy, happy, tasty, lively, splendid, talented, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.