Vivian Liberto - Divorce

Divorce

The Cashes had friends at Casitas Springs, California, near Lake Casitas, between Ventura and Ojai, and so enjoyed spending time in the area that Cash wanted to live there. In the summer of 1961, two weeks after the birth of youngest daughter Tara, the family moved to a 12-acre (49,000 m2) ranch. Cash bought his parents a nearby trailer park to run.

Liberto soon found they had more privacy at their home in Encino than at Casitas Springs, as people hearing of Johnny Cash's place would come cruising up their driveway to get a look. She thought the move would put an end to his bad behavior, but it did not.

Their relationship ended soon after the move. Cash was almost always on the road touring and when he was home he was drunk and/or high and his behavior had worsened. During that time, he went out with other women (including June Carter, whom he would eventually marry in 1968). Vivian believed that if he had never gotten involved with drugs, they would have had no problems. She decided to file for divorce to shock him into coming to his senses, but the decision backfired.

In August 1966, she filed for divorce in Ventura, on grounds of extreme cruelty. She charged that Cash had left their home at Casitas Springs June 2, on a business trip and never returned. She asked for alimony and support of their four children. After signing the divorce papers, she said she still had hope. After filing the papers, she called him on tour and asked if there was any chance for a reconciliation. Cash declined, replying simply, "No, it's too late." The divorce was finalized in late 1966.