Cale Yarborough’s Personal Life, Siblings, Parents, Wife, Girlfriend, Kids, Other Family and Dating History
Early Life:
Cale Yarborough’s early life in the tiny community of Sardis, South Carolina, was a blend of hard work, Southern grit, and a nascent passion for speed. Born in 1939, the eldest of three boys, Cale was raised by his parents, Julian and Annie, on their tobacco farm. Farming wasn’t just a job, it was the rhythm of their lives, with young Cale joining his father and brothers in the fields from a young age. He learned the value of hard work, resilience, as well as facing challenges head-on.
Cale inherited his father’s entrepreneurial spirit, too. Julian ran a cotton gin and the local general store, instilling in his sons a sense of business acumen and resourcefulness. Despite the rural setting, Cale wasn’t sheltered from the world. He was a bright student and a standout athlete, excelling in high school football. This athleticism extended beyond the gridiron, as he also competed in semi-pro football and even donned the gloves as a Golden Gloves boxer.
But it was also the roar of engines that truly captured Cale’s heart. He attended his first Southern 500 in 1951, a young boy mesmerized by the speed and the spectacle. The seed of racing ambition was planted, and it sprouted quickly. Ignoring his age, he tried to enter the Southern 500 himself as a teenager, only to be caught and disqualified. The setback didn’t deter him; it fueled his determination.
Family:
Parents:
Mother:
Cale Yarborough’s mother was Annie Yarborough. While information about her personal life is limited. Annie played a crucial role in raising the boys after their father’s tragic death when Cale was around 10 years old. Growing up on a farm likely instilled qualities of strength as well as resilience in Annie, which she undoubtedly passed on to her sons.
Father:
Cale’s father was Julian Yarborough. He played a significant role in shaping Cale’s early life and his eventual foray into the world of racing: Julian ran a tobacco farm, cotton gin, and general store, instilling in Cale a strong work ethic, business acumen, and resourcefulness. Unfortunately, Julian died in a plane crash when Cale was around 10 years old. This deeply impacted Cale, but also drove his determination to honor his father’s memory and also achieve success.
Wife:
Betty Jo Thigpen, married in 1961.
Children:
Three daughters – Julie, Kelley, and B.J. Yarborough.
Sibling:
Limited details publicly available, known to have two younger brothers.
Dating History:
- No publicly available information about any dating history prior to meeting Betty Jo.
- Married Betty Jo in 1961 and also remained together until his passing in 2023.
Additional Details:
- Known for his close-knit family life and devotion to his wife as well as daughters.
- Enjoyed farming and also ranching after his racing career.
- Remained active in the NASCAR community through various projects and events.
