Most people know Chuck Norris as a martial artist and actor. He’s famous for martial arts movies and for being a Hollywood actor. But before he became a star, there was a woman who stood by him for many years. Her name is Dianne Holechek.
Dianne was Chuck’s first wife. They were married for 30 years. She was there before he became famous. She supported him from the beginning. They met when they were teenagers and fell in love while still in high school.
In this article, you’ll learn the full story of Dianne Holechek. We’ll talk about her early life, how she met Chuck, their marriage, their children, and what happened to her after their marriage ended. So, let’s get started!
Dianne Holechek Profile Summary
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dianne Kay Holechek |
| Date of Birth | November 27, 1941 |
| Age (in 2025) | 84 years old |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous As | Chuck Norris’s first wife |
| Marriage | Married to Chuck Norris (1958–1989) |
| Children | Mike Norris, Eric Norris |
| Grandchildren | Seven |
| Known For | Supporting Chuck Norris before fame |
| Net Worth | Around $10 million |
Who Is Dianne Holechek?
Dianne Kay Holechek is best known as the first wife of Chuck Norris. She lived a private and peaceful life, even while being married to a world-famous actor.
She was born on November 27, 1941, in Los Angeles, California. Dianne grew up in a middle-class family. She went to Torrance High School, where she met Chuck. She never shared much about her parents or family, and she stayed away from the public eye.
Even though she was married to a celebrity, Dianne never tried to become famous. She stayed out of the media, never gave interviews, and had no public social media accounts. She was known for being a quiet, kind, and family-focused woman.
How She Met Chuck Norris
Dianne met Chuck Norris when they were both in high school. They were just teenagers, and they went to the same school — Torrance High School. That’s where their love story started.
Chuck was one year ahead of Dianne. They started dating while still in school. Their relationship grew strong over time. When Chuck joined the U.S. Air Force, they continued their love story from a distance.
While Chuck was serving in South Korea, he wrote a letter to Dianne and asked her to marry him. She said yes. This shows how strong their love was, even when they were far away from each other.
Dianne Married Chuck Norris at Just 17
Dianne Holechek and Chuck Norris got married on December 29, 1958. At the time, Dianne was 17 years old, and Chuck was 18. They were very young, but deeply in love.
They had a small and traditional wedding, attended by close family. Chuck wore his Air Force uniform on the big day. After the wedding, they enjoyed a four-day honeymoon in Big Bear, California.
At that time, Chuck was still in the military. He wasn’t a movie star yet. They started their life together with simple dreams.
Meet Dianne Holechek’s Two Sons
During their marriage, Dianne and Chuck had two sons.
Their first son, Mike Norris, was born on October 4, 1962. He became an actor, stuntman, and director. Mike acted in many shows and even worked on films with his dad. He later married Valerie Gallo in 1992, and they have three children — Hannah, Greta, and Max.
Their second son, Eric Norris, was born on May 20, 1964. He also followed his dad’s path. Eric became a stunt expert and even a NASCAR race car driver. He has worked on over 100 films and TV shows, doing stunts for major projects like Sons of Anarchy and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. Eric married Stephanie Di Ciolli, and they have four children, including Gabi Di Ciolli, who is also an actress.
Dianne is a proud grandmother of seven. Her sons have good lives and families, and she feels proud of them.
Chuck’s Affair with Another Woman
Even though Dianne Holechek and Chuck Norris were together for many years, their marriage went through some hard times. In 1963, while Dianne was pregnant with Eric, Chuck had an affair with another woman named Johanna.
Chuck had a daughter named Dina from that affair, but he didn’t know about her for a long time. Dina reached out to him when she was 26 years old, and that’s how he found out she’s his daughter. Even after this, Dianne stayed with him and focused on raising their two sons.
Dianne and Chuck’s Divorce After 30 Years
Even though Dianne Holechek stayed strong during hard times, her marriage with Chuck eventually came to an end.
By the late 1980s, actor Chuck Norris had become very famous. He was always busy with films and public events. Their family life began to feel distant and difficult. There were also more rumors of affairs, and things became harder for Dianne.
In 1988, Dianne and Chuck separated, and in 1989, they were officially divorced. Their 30-year marriage was over. The divorce was quiet. Dianne didn’t talk about it or blame anyone. She just stayed calm and walked away from public life.
Chuck later married Gena O’Kelley in 1998. He had twins with her — Dakota and Danilee, born in 2001.
Even after the divorce, Chuck often said that Dianne supported him in his early years when he had nothing. That shows she was a big part of his success, even if many people don’t know her name today.
Dianne Holechek’s Life Today
After the divorce, Dianne Holechek decided to live a private and peaceful life. She did not try to become famous or stay in the public eye.
She does not use social media. You won’t find her on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. She has never done interviews or appeared on TV shows.
It is not known if she ever remarried. There’s no public record of her having another partner or husband. It seems she simply chose to enjoy life in her own quiet way.
Today, Dianne is likely enjoying her time as a mother and grandmother.
Dianne’s Short Acting Career & Net Worth
Although Dianne Holechek was around the film world, she never tried to become a big actress.
She only has one acting credit, which was in a TV show called Hollywood ’84 in 1984. It was more of a behind-the-scenes show about Hollywood stars. Dianne appeared in it, but she didn’t act in any other shows or movies after that.
Her main focus was always her family, not fame. She preferred to stay behind the scenes and keep things simple.
As of recent reports, Dianne Holechek’s net worth is around $10 million. On the other hand, Chuck Norris has a much higher net worth — around $70 million — thanks to his long career in movies, TV, and martial arts.
But even with a simple lifestyle, Dianne has done well. She lives comfortably and quietly, far from Hollywood.
Final Thoughts
Dianne Holechek was more than just Chuck Norris’s first wife. She was his partner in the early years, when life was tough and fame was still far away.
She stayed with him for 30 years, raised two sons, and helped build a strong family. Even after facing heartbreak and a public divorce, she chose peace over publicity.
Her sons — Mike and Eric — went on to have great careers. She is now a proud grandmother and enjoys her life privately.
Dianne never asked for fame. She didn’t chase the spotlight. She simply lived with strength, patience, and quiet dignity.
Today, her story reminds us that behind every big star, there is often someone who helped them rise — someone like Dianne Holechek.
(FAQs)
Why is Dianne Holechek famous?
Dianne Holechek is known as Chuck Norris’s first wife. They were married for 30 years, and she supported him before he became famous.
Why did Dianne and Chuck get divorced?
They got divorced after being married for 30 years. Chuck became very famous, and things changed completely after that. There were also talks about an affair, which made their marriage difficult.
How old is Dianne Holechek in 2025?
She was born on November 27, 1941, so in 2025, Dianne Holechek is 84 years old.
Is Dianne Holechek married now?
There is no public information about her remarrying.
Who is Chuck Norris married to now?
Chuck Norris is married to Gena O’Kelley. They got married in 1998 and have twins named Dakota and Danilee.
