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The Yellowstone universe has given fans decades of drama, betrayal, and tragedy. Across 1883, 1923, and the flagship series, the Duttons have fought to defend the largest ranch in Montana. Yet beneath the gunfights and power struggles lies another grim legacy—the men of the Dutton family rarely find lasting love.

All except Jacob Dutton.

Harrison Ford’s character in 1923 is the only male Dutton whose marriage endures into old age. While his sons and grandsons face heartbreak, betrayal, and death, Jacob and his wife Cara (Helen Mirren) prove that true partnership can survive even the darkest storms.

Land, Legacy, and Loss

The Dutton saga begins in 1883, when James and Margaret Dutton carve a life in Montana. By 1923, Jacob and Cara take over the ranch during a time of economic turmoil and violent rivalries. In the modern era, Yellowstone follows John Dutton III (Kevin Costner) as he fights developers, politicians, and enemies who want to strip the land from his family.

Throughout each generation, the Dutton men show grit and determination. But while they defend the ranch, their marriages collapse under tragedy. Wives often outshine them in strength and wisdom, but love rarely lasts.

Jacob and Cara: A Rare Enduring Love

Jacob and Cara stand apart. When Margaret calls them to Montana, they are already a strong couple with decades of shared history. By the events of 1923, they are in their seventies, still leading the ranch and standing by each other.

Jacob nearly dies from multiple gunshot wounds, but Cara steps in and keeps the ranch running. Even after the bloody feud with Donald Whitfield, both survive. At the end of 1923 Season 2, they retire together as Spencer Dutton takes control of the land. Unlike every other Dutton couple, Jacob and Cara face hardships side by side and remain united until the end.

The Other Dutton Men’s Marriages

The rest of the family is not so fortunate.

• James and Margaret Dutton (1883): James dies in a gunfight in 1893. Margaret freezes to death soon after.

• Spencer and Alexandra Dutton (1923): Newlyweds torn apart. Though they reunite, Alexandra dies from frostbite complications.

• Jack Dutton and Elizabeth Strafford (1923): Jack is killed by Whitfield’s men, leaving Elizabeth a grieving widow while pregnant.

• John Dutton III (Yellowstone): His wife Evelyn dies in a 1997 riding accident, a loss that scars Beth and haunts John for decades.

• John Dutton II: The franchise reveals little about his marriage, leaving his story unfinished.

Each man faces tragedy that cuts his love story short, reinforcing the grim Dutton pattern.

Kayce and Monica: The Open Question

Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) marries Monica Long (Kelsey Asbille) and has a son, Tate. Their relationship is turbulent but enduring through five seasons of Yellowstone. By the finale, they plan a new life together after selling the ranch to the Broken Rock tribe.

Yet Monica’s future is uncertain. Kelsey Asbille is not confirmed for the spinoff Y: Marshals, though Brecken Merrill will return as Tate. This raises questions: will Kayce’s marriage survive, or will he join the long list of Dutton men cursed by tragedy?

Beth and Rip: A New Kind of Love

Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) now lead The Dutton Ranch spinoff. They are soulmates who fought their way to a marriage rooted in fierce loyalty. Their bond feels unshakable, but it’s still young compared to Jacob and Cara’s decades together. And since Rip isn’t a Dutton by blood, Jacob’s record as the only male with a lifelong marriage still stands.

Breaking the Pattern

Jacob and Cara Dutton’s story shows that the Dutton curse isn’t unbreakable. In a family defined by violence and sacrifice, they prove that love can last even in Montana’s harshest storms.

As the Yellowstone universe expands with Y: Marshals and The Madison, fans are left wondering: will any other Dutton man escape the shadow of heartbreak, or will Jacob remain the lone exception in a dynasty built on blood and loss?