Arlyn Sharon Phoenix (originally Arlyn Sharon Dunetz, born on December 31, 1944) is widely referred to as Heart Phoenix. She is an American social advocate, philanthropist, former talent manager for children, and the mother of five notable performers: River Phoenix, Rain Phoenix, Joaquin Phoenix, Liberty Phoenix, and Summer Phoenix. She achieved public fame mainly through the prosperous careers of her children in film, television, and music, yet Arlyn has forged her own path as a dedicated supporter of peace initiatives, animal welfare, veganism, ecological sustainability, midwifery, and progressive social movements. Raised in a Jewish-American household in New York City, she departed from home at the age of 23, adopted counterculture lifestyles during the late 1960s and 1970s, spent several years as a missionary with the contentious religious group The Children of God, and subsequently became a staunch critic of the organization after her departure.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she served as an executive secretary at NBC and worked as an agent for her children, facilitating the initiation of their acting careers. After her divorce from her first spouse, John Lee Bottom, in 1997, she remarried and increasingly devoted herself to nonprofit activities and advocacy. In 2012, she co-established the River Phoenix Centre for Peacebuilding in Gainesville, Florida, a nonprofit aimed at conflict resolution, restorative justice, nonviolence education, and global sustainability efforts inspired by her late son River’s humanitarian beliefs.
Below is a brief summary of essential information regarding Arlyn (Heart) Phoenix:
| Full Name at Birth | Arlyn Sharon Dunetz |
| Current / Preferred Name | Heart Phoenix (legal name alteration in 1988) |
| Date of Birth | December 31, 1944 |
| Age (as of January 2026) | 81 years |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | Approximately 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m) – not officially verified in recent documentation |
| Known For | Mother of actors River, Joaquin, Rain, Liberty, and Summer Phoenix; co-founder of the River Phoenix Centre for Peacebuilding; lifelong vegan and activist |
| Current Residence | Gainesville / North Central Florida region |
| Marital Status | Married to second husband Jeffrey Weisberg since the late 1990s/early 2000s |
Biography of Arlyn Phoenix
Arlyn Sharon Dunetz entered the world on December 31, 1944, in the Bronx, New York City, as the middle child among three daughters of Margaret Lefkowitz (1916–1998) and Meyer Dunetz (1910–1996). Although the family participated in Jewish cultural practices and celebrations, they were not devout and did not regularly attend synagogue. Arlyn grew up with her sisters Rhoda and Merle (later known as Sun) in a working-class-to-middle-class Jewish family.
At the age of 23, in 1968, Arlyn departed New York, relocating to California in search of a different existence. In Los Angeles, she met John Lee Bottom, a fellow seeker born in 1947. The duo quickly established a strong connection, adopted a nomadic, counterculture lifestyle, and traveled along the West Coast, often harvesting fruits and vegetables to sustain themselves. Their first child, River Jude Bottom (later known as River Phoenix), was born on August 23, 1970, followed by their second child, Rain Joan of Arc Bottom (later Rain Phoenix), who arrived in 1972.
In the early 1970s, Arlyn and John joined The Children of God (also referred to as The Family International), a contentious Christian movement established by David Berg. They became missionaries for the organization and traveled extensively through Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and other regions of South America. During this time, Arlyn welcomed two additional children: Joaquin Rafael Bottom (later Joaquin Phoenix) and Libertad Mariposa Bottom (later Liberty Phoenix). For a brief period, the couple adopted biblical identities: Arlyn became Jochebed, while John became Amram, mirroring their deep immersion in the group’s teachings.
Further Information
In the early 1980s, the Phoenix family returned to California, where Arlyn obtained a position as an executive secretary at NBC in Los Angeles. She recruited talent agent Iris Burton, who started securing acting opportunities for all five children. River emerged as a prominent child star in the mid-1980s, soon followed by Joaquin, Rain, Liberty, and Summer. The family’s success in acting brought financial security but also intense media attention. After over 25 years together, Arlyn and John divorced in 1997. In the late 1990s/early 2000s, Arlyn wed her second spouse, Jeffrey Weisberg, a businessman. She subsequently legally changed her first name to Heart, reflecting her spiritual beliefs and commitment to self-renewal.
From the mid-1990s onward, Arlyn dedicated herself to activism and nonprofit efforts. She served as the executive director of the Florida School of Traditional Midwifery (one of the few accredited direct-entry midwifery programs in the U.S.) for five years. Following the tragic overdose death of River Phoenix on October 31, 1993, at the age of 23, Arlyn directed her sorrow into humanitarian initiatives. In 2012, she co-founded the River Phoenix Centre for Peacebuilding in Gainesville, Florida, a nonprofit organization providing training in conflict resolution, restorative justice, nonviolent communication, and sustainable peace practices—work motivated by River’s enduring compassion and activism. She also serves on the board of the Peace Alliance, advocating for the establishment of a U.S. Department of Peace.
Recent Updates
As of January 2026, Heart Phoenix (age 81) continues to live in north-central Florida near Gainesville. She remains engaged with the River Phoenix Centre for Peacebuilding, which celebrated its 13th anniversary in 2025, continuing to offer workshops, community mediation initiatives, and training in restorative justice and nonviolence. No new books, major public engagements, or leadership changes have been announced in recent times, but she occasionally participates in interviews or contributes statements to documentaries, articles, and events honoring River Phoenix’s legacy or discussing themes such as addiction rehabilitation, family grief, veganism, and peace activism.
Her children—Joaquin (Oscar-winning actor), Rain (musician/actress), Liberty (actress), and Summer (actress/musician)—remain closely connected to her, often mentioning her in their interviews as a source of strength and guidance. Heart leads a private life centered around family, community involvement, and personal health.
Age
Arlyn Sharon Dunetz (Heart Phoenix) was born on December 31, 1944. As of January 2026, she is 81 years old.
Nationality
Heart Phoenix is American by birth and citizenship. She originates from the Bronx, New York City, and has spent her entire adult life in the United States (mainly in California and Florida).
Height
Heart Phoenix’s precise height has never been officially verified in interviews, biographies, or public records. Based on photographs with her children and other family members over the years, she is typically estimated to be around 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 6 inches (roughly 1.63–1.68 meters) tall.
Spouse
Heart Phoenix has entered matrimony twice:
- John Lee Bottom (married early 1970s – divorced 1997) – Father of all five of her children (River, Rain, Joaquin, Liberty, and Summer). John and Arlyn met in California in 1968–1969, embraced a nomadic lifestyle, joined The Children of God together, departed the organization in 1977, adopted the surname Phoenix, and raised their family in Florida and California. They amicably separated in 1997 after over 25 years together. John passed away in 2015.
- Jeffrey Weisberg (married late 1990s / early 2000s – present) – Heart’s second spouse. Jeffrey is a businessman and has kept a low public profile during their marriage. As of January 2026, they continue to reside together in north-central Florida.
Birth Name
Heart Phoenix was born as Arlyn Sharon Dunetz. She used the name Arlyn Phoenix for many years after her family adopted the surname Phoenix in the late 1970s. In 1988, she legally adopted the name Heart as part of a personal spiritual rejuvenation and commitment to a more compassionate, vegan, and peaceful existence.
