Who Is Laura Deibel? Everything About Tim Allen’s First Wife

Many people know Tim Allen. He’s the funny actor from Home Improvement, the voice of Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story, and the star of The Santa Clause movies. But not many people know about the woman who stood by him before he became famous.

Her name is Laura Deibel. She was Tim Allen’s first wife, and she supported him through his hardest years, even before he became a star. Want to learn more about Laura Deibel? Keep reading!

In this article, we’ll discuss everything about who Laura Deibel is, how she met Tim, their life together, and where she is now.  So, let’s get started!

Laura Deibel Profile Summary

Who Is Laura Deibel?

Laura Deibel is best known as the ex-wife of actor Tim Allen. She was born on November 12, 1956, in Omena, Michigan, in the United States. As of 2025, she is 69 years old.

Laura is American and studied at Western Michigan University. She had a simple life before meeting Tim Allen. Before marriage, she worked as a sales manager for an interior landscaping company. She had a full-time job and was focused on her career.

Later, she also became the CEO of Tim Allen Signature Tools, a company that sold handy tools, such as hammers and drills.

Laura has always lived a private life. Even though she was married to a famous man, she never wanted to be in the spotlight. Today, she lives a quiet life and stays away from media attention.

How Laura Met Tim Allen

Laura Deibel and Tim Allen met when they were both young. Some reports say they first met in high school. But what we do know is — they met at Western Michigan University and started dating there.

They started dating in their college years. At the time, Tim was not a star. He was still trying to figure out his path. Laura believed in him and supported him from the start.

One of the biggest moments in their relationship came when Tim was arrested for drug possession. He was caught with a large amount of cocaine and was sent to prison for over two years.

Most people would walk away from a relationship like that — but not Laura. She waited for him, stood by his side, and stayed loyal during that tough time.

Their Marriage and Life Together

After Tim Allen got out of prison and started rebuilding his life, Laura Deibel stayed with him. They got married on April 7, 1984, after about five years of dating.

In the early years of their marriage, Laura supported Tim as he worked hard to become a comedian and actor. At the time, he was doing small comedy shows.

As time went on, Tim became more and more famous — especially after his big TV show Home Improvement. Their life started to change quickly after that.

Laura gave up her full-time job to become a homemaker and focus on the family. She also became the CEO of Tim Allen Signature Tools.

In the public eye, they looked like a happy family. But behind the scenes, things were slowly becoming harder.

Tim was busy all the time. He had long work hours, and fame took up most of his attention. Laura spent more time alone, managing the home and raising their child.

Meet Their Daughter, Katherine Allen

Laura and Tim had one child together — a daughter named Katherine Allen, often called “Kady.” She was born in December 1989, about five years after their wedding. Laura was deeply focused on raising her daughter with care and love.

Katherine was mostly raised by Laura, especially during the years when Tim was very busy with filming and events.

Katherine has appeared with her father at a few events, like:

• The premiere of The Santa Clause 3

• The premiere of Miss Congeniality 2

• His Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2004

But just like her mom, Katherine prefers to stay private. She does not have a public job, and she avoids the spotlight. She is known to have a good relationship with both of her parents, even though they are no longer married.

They Got Divorced in 2003

As Tim Allen’s Hollywood career became bigger, things at home started to fall apart.

Laura was often alone at home, taking care of their daughter, while Tim was traveling, filming, and promoting his shows. In an interview, Tim himself said that he “let his family slide” and didn’t spend enough time with them.

There were also serious problems. Tim had a drinking problem and later admitted to going to rehab in 1998. Reports also suggest that he cheated during the marriage, which hurt Laura deeply.

In 1999, Laura finally decided to end the marriage. She filed for divorce after nearly 15 years together. Their divorce was made official in 2003. Laura was granted custody of their daughter, who was 13 years old at the time.

Despite all the pain, Laura and Tim stayed friendly after the divorce. Laura even showed up at Tim’s charity events in 2006 and 2010, showing that she stayed respectful and mature through it all.

Where Is Laura Deibel Now?

After her divorce from Tim Allen in 2003, Laura Deibel chose a quiet life. She didn’t try to stay in the public eye. Instead, she went back to living simply and peacefully.

Today, she might be living in Sherman Oaks, California. This is a calm area where many people enjoy privacy. It’s the perfect place for someone who wants to live away from fame.

Laura also stepped away from Tim Allen’s company, where she once worked as CEO. She returned to her career as a sales manager, which she did before marrying Tim.

Even though she was once married to a very famous man, Laura Deibel has never tried to become famous herself. Today, there are no public records of her remarrying.

Laura Deibel’s Net Worth

Many people wonder what Laura Deibel’s net worth is today. As of 2025, her net worth is between $1 million and $1.5 million. Most of her money came from the divorce settlement with Tim Allen.

Before and after her marriage, Laura also worked as a sales manager, which gave her a steady income. During their marriage, she also helped run Tim Allen Signature Tools, a business that sold tools and gave money to charity. She served as the CEO for many years.

Unlike many people connected to Hollywood, Laura never chased big money or fancy fame. She has always chosen a simple and stable life.

Today, she lives comfortably — not rich like a star, but not struggling either. She values peace, not attention. That’s something you don’t see often in the world of celebrities.

Final Thoughts

Laura Deibel’s story is quiet, strong, and full of loyalty.

She stood by Tim Allen through college, prison, addiction, and fame. She supported him when he had nothing and stayed with him as he became a star.

She raised their daughter with care. She handled the divorce with dignity. And she never once tried to use Tim’s fame for her own spotlight.

Today, Laura lives a life of peace and privacy. And that alone says so much about her. She may not be a Hollywood star, but she’s someone many people can admire for her strength and calm nature.

While the world knows Tim Allen’s name, Laura Deibel will always be remembered as the woman who helped him rise — and walked away with grace.

(FAQs)

Why is Laura Deibel famous?

Laura Deibel is famous for being the first wife of actor Tim Allen. She supported him during his early years, long before he became a Hollywood star.

Why did Laura and Tim Allen divorce?

Laura Deibel and Tim Allen divorced because Tim’s busy career caused distance in their marriage. They separated in 1999 and finalized their divorce in 2003.

Is Laura Deibel’s daughter Kady, married?

No, there are no public reports that Laura and Tim’s daughter, Katherine “Kady” Allen, is married. She keeps her life private and stays away from the public eye.

What is Laura Deibel’s age?

Laura Deibel was born on November 12, 1956, so she is 69 years old as of now.

Did Tim Allen remarry after Laura?

Yes. Tim Allen married actress Jane Hajduk in 2006. They have a daughter named Elizabeth Allen-Dick, born in 2009.