Most people know Chuck Norris — the famous action movie star and martial arts fighter from the TV show Walker, Texas Ranger. But have you ever heard of Dianne Holechek? She is the woman who stood beside him long before he became famous.
What’s interesting is that Dianne Holechek married Chuck Norris when she was just 17 years old. While Chuck was working hard to become a star, Dianne stayed at home, living a simple life as a wife and mother. She didn’t want to be famous or gain public attention.
In this article, we’ll discuss everything about Dianne Holechek — her early days, how she met Chuck Norris, their marriage, their family, the divorce, and what she’s doing now. So, let’s dive in!
Quick Facts About Dianne Holechek
👤 Full Name: Dianne Kay Holechek
🎂 Birth Date: November 27, 1941
🎉 Age in 2025: 83 years old
🏡 Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
📚 Education: Studied at Torrance High School
💍 Ex-Husband: Chuck Norris (married from 1958 to 1989)
👦 Children: 2 sons — Mike Norris and Eric Norris
👶 Grandchildren: 7 grandkids
📱 Social Media: Not active online
❤️ Known For: Being Chuck Norris’s first wife
Who Is Dianne Holechek?
Dianne Holechek is best known as Chuck Norris’s first wife. She was born on November 27, 1941, and as of 2025, she is 83 years old. Her full name is Dianne Kay Holechek, and she lived most of her life in California.
Although she was briefly in the spotlight, Dianne decided to live a private life. That’s why we don’t know much about her. What we do know is that she was a caring wife, a loving mother, and someone who supported Chuck during his early years when life wasn’t easy. According to Tuko, she only made one TV appearance in her life — in a 1984 mini-series called Hollywood ’84.
Dianne’s Early Life and Family
Dianne grew up in Los Angeles, California, in the 1940s and 1950s. She attended Torrance High School, where she first met Chuck Norris. She has always been a private person, so she hasn’t shared much about her parents or brothers and sisters.
After finishing high school, Dianne didn’t go to college. Instead, she decided to start a family life. At just 17 years old, she got married and took on family responsibilities very early.
How Dianne Holechek Met Chuck Norris
Dianne Holechek met Chuck Norris during their teenage years at Torrance High School. Chuck was in his second last year of school when they started dating.
After finishing school, Chuck joined the U.S. Air Force and went to work in South Korea. Even with the long distance, they stayed close and kept their love strong. While he was away, Chuck even asked Dianne to marry him by sending her a handwritten letter.
They fell in love in high school, and their relationship lasted for many years. It’s the kind of story you see in movies — a young couple, far from each other, still connected by love and hope.
She Married Chuck Norris at Just 17
Dianne Holechek married Chuck Norris on December 29, 1958. She was only 17 years old, and Chuck was 18. Their wedding was simple and small, attended by close friends and family. Chuck wore his Air Force uniform, which made the day even more memorable.
After the wedding, they went on a four-day honeymoon to Big Bear, California. It wasn’t a big or fancy trip, but it was a lovely and peaceful way to start their new life together. At that time, they didn’t have money or fame, but they had love and each other.
Getting married at a young age wasn’t easy. Dianne had to handle family responsibilities. Chuck was still working on his career, and Dianne became a military wife. Their life was simple in the beginning, and it showed how loyal and caring Dianne was right from the start.
Dianne’s Life as Chuck Norris’s Wife
After getting married, Dianne supported Chuck in everything — from his time in the military to his martial arts career, and later when he became an actor. While Chuck was busy working and traveling, Dianne stayed home and took care of their family.
Chuck stayed in the Navy until 1962, then started joining martial arts competitions. He didn’t become famous right away. It took many years of hard work before he became a star in Hollywood. During all those years, Dianne was always by his side.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Chuck began acting in popular movies such as Missing in Action and Delta Force. His fame grew fast, but Dianne didn’t try to be famous. She stayed quiet and focused on her family. She spent her time raising their kids and keeping their home happy, even when Chuck was very busy.
To the outside, their life looked perfect. But like many couples, they had problems behind closed doors. And that’s where the next part of the story begins.
The Divorce After 30 Years
Even though Dianne Holechek supported Chuck Norris for many years, their marriage was not always perfect. When Chuck became famous, their relationship started to be affected. Being married to someone famous is not easy — and Dianne quietly went through it all.
In 1963, while Dianne was pregnant with their second son, Chuck had an affair with another woman. This led to the birth of a daughter named Dina. Chuck didn’t know about her until many years later. The affair caused pain, and it changed things between them. Dianne decided to stay silent and raise their sons, but the hurt remained in her heart.
After being married for almost 30 years, Dianne Holechek and Chuck Norris separated in 1988 and got officially divorced in 1989. Their divorce was quiet, with no drama in the media. According to the details, even after the divorce, they remained respectful to each other. Chuck later said that Dianne was a great supporter during his early years when life was hard.
Dianne Holechek’s Life After Divorce
After the divorce, Dianne decided to live a quiet and peaceful life. While Chuck got married again and remained in the spotlight, Dianne stayed out of the public eye. She didn’t return to acting, modeling, or any other media events. Instead, she spent her time with her family.
Chuck married Gena O’Kelly in 1998 and became a father to twins. But Dianne never got married again. She doesn’t use social media, and there are no reports about her, so people don’t know much about her life now. That’s why many are still curious about where she is and what she’s doing. We’ve also written an article about Gena O’Kelly — you can read that too to learn more!
Dianne’s Grandchildren and Family Today
Dianne Holechek had two sons with Chuck Norris — Mike Norris and Eric Norris.
Her older son, Mike Norris, became an actor and director. He married Valerie Gallo in 1992. They have three children together — Hannah, born in 1995, and twins Greta and Max, born in 2000. Mike also worked behind the scenes in movies like Rush Hour 3 and directed his own films.
Her younger son, Eric Norris, became a stuntman and racecar driver. He worked on TV shows like Sons of Anarchy and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. He married Stephanie Di Ciolli, and they have four children: Camryn (born 1995), Chloe (born 1998), Chantz (born 2000), and Cash (born 2010).
In total, Dianne Holechek has seven grandchildren.
Final Thoughts
Dianne Holechek is not a Hollywood star, but her story is still interesting. She was with Chuck Norris before he became famous — when life was still simple and full of hope. She stayed with him during the hard times, helped raise a family, and stepped away quietly when things changed.
She never tried to be famous, even though she had the chance. Instead, she chose to focus on her children and live a peaceful and private life. Even today, in 2025, people still remember Dianne as the woman who supported a star — not for money or fame, but because she truly cared.
(FAQs)
Who was Chuck Norris’s first wife?
Chuck Norris’s first wife was Dianne Holechek. They got married in 1958 when Dianne was just 17 years old.
What is Dianne Holechek’s age in 2025?
Dianne was born on November 27, 1941, so she is 83 years old in 2025.
How many children does Dianne Holechek have?
Dianne Holechek has two sons with Chuck Norris — Mike Norris and Eric Norris.
What is Dianne Holechek’s net worth?
Her exact net worth is not publicly known, but she likely received a divorce settlement after her split from Chuck Norris. Chuck’s net worth is around $70 million.
Who is Chuck Norris married to now?
Chuck Norris is now married to Gena O’Kelly.
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