Chuck Norris is a famous action star. People know him for his martial arts skills, action movies, and the TV show Walker, Texas Ranger. But behind this strong and tough man is someone just as important—his wife, Gena O’Kelley.
Many people only know Gena as Chuck Norris’ wife, but there is much more to her story. She was a model, is a businesswoman, and most importantly, a loving wife and mother. She has worked hard to build a happy life, take care of her family, and support Chuck in difficult times. Want to learn more about Gena Kelley? Keep reading!
In this article, we’ll discuss everything about Gena O’Kelley’s life. We’ll talk about her childhood, how she met Chuck Norris, her family, her work, her charity efforts, and her health struggles. Let’s begin and get to know the amazing woman behind Chuck Norris!
Quick Facts About Gena O’Kelley
📌 Full Name: Gena O’Kelley
🎂 Born: August 10, 1963 (Age 62 in 2025)
📍 Birthplace: California, USA
💍 Married To: Chuck Norris (Since 1998) ❤️
👨👩👧👦 Children: 4 (Two from first marriage, Two with Chuck)
🥋 Twins: Dakota & Danilee Norris – Both are martial artists
💼 Career: Former model, TV personality, businesswoman
🏡 Lives In: Texas ranch with Chuck Norris 🌳
💰 Net Worth: Around $1 million 💵
💧 Business: Co-founder of CForce Bottled Water
Who Is Gena O’Kelley?
Gena O’Kelley is a woman who has done many things in life. She was once a model and TV personality, but today, she is best known as a businesswoman, a loving wife, and a caring mother.
Even though her husband, Chuck Norris, is one of the biggest action stars in Hollywood, Gena has never wanted to be famous. Instead of chasing the attention, she has focused on her family, her work, and helping others. She has been by Chuck Norris’ side for over 25 years, always supporting him in every way.
But life hasn’t always been easy for her. Gena has faced serious health problems that have completely changed her life. Even in hard times, she has shown great strength and courage.
Gena O’Kelley’s Early Life
Gena O’Kelley was born on August 10, 1963, in California, USA. She grew up in a loving and caring family with her parents, Alan and Anette O’Kelley. Her father, Alan, worked at Hewlett-Packard and Kunde Estate Winery, where he helped support the family. Sadly, he passed away in 2008, which was a difficult time for Gena and her loved ones.
She was raised with three siblings—her brother Eric and her two sisters, Maureen and Elizabeth. As a child, Gena was known for being kind, confident, and naturally beautiful. She had a strong personality and a friendly and caring nature, just like Vida Guerra.
Even though there is not much public information about her schooling, one thing is clear—Gena was always hardworking. From a young age, she was interested in fashion and entertainment, which led her to start a career in modeling. Now, let’s see how Gena O’Kelley started as a model and later became a successful businesswoman.
Gena’s Career: From Model to Businesswoman
When Gena O’Kelley was young, she worked as a model. With her beautiful looks and confident personality, she found success in the fashion industry. Although there isn’t much public information about her modeling career, we can say she was well-respected in the industry.
Later, Gena decided to leave modeling behind. She wanted to focus on her family and build something more meaningful. Over time, she started working in business, helping Chuck Norris to manage his multiple successful businesses.
She also appeared on a few TV shows, mostly alongside Chuck Norris. Some of the shows she was in include:
- Walker, Texas Ranger (1997)
- Yes, Dear (2006)
- Praise the Lord (2009)
- Hannity (2012)
Even though Gena had the chance to become a full-time actress, she chose a quieter and more private life. Instead of working in Hollywood, she focused on building a happy family and a business empire with Chuck Norris. Now, let’s see how they met for the first time!
How Gena O’Kelley Met Chuck Norris
Gena O’Kelley and Chuck Norris’s love story is very special. They first met in 1997 in Dallas, Texas. At that time, Chuck was on a date with another woman, but fate had different plans for him.
Gena had a small acting role in Chuck’s TV show, Walker, Texas Ranger. When Chuck saw her on set, he noticed her right away. He was very impressed and felt a strong interest in her. He was so curious about her that he asked his assistant to set up a meeting so he could talk to her.
At first, they were just friends, but as they spent more time together, their connection grew stronger. Within a year of meeting, they knew they were meant for each other. On November 28, 1998, they got married and started their life as husband and wife. Even though Chuck is 23 years older than Gena, their love has stayed strong for more than 25 years.
Gena O’Kelley’s Life as a Wife and Mother
For Gena O’Kelley, family is the most important thing. She is not just Chuck Norris’ wife but also a caring mother and stepmother who has always put her family first.
Before she met Chuck, Gena was married to Gordon Hinschberger, and they had two children:
- Kelley Gene Tagudin (born 1985) – She works as a teacher, is married, and has children.
- Timothy Robert Hinschberger (born 1987) – He loves sports and dogs and has a family.
After marrying Chuck Norris, Gena became a mother again when she gave birth to twins in 2001:
- Dakota Alan Norris – A talented martial artist with a third-degree black belt and a YouTube channel.
- Danilee Kelly Norris – Also skilled in martial arts, holding a second-degree black belt.
In addition to raising her own children, Gena also became a stepmother to Chuck’s three children from his past relationships:
- Mike Norris – Works as an actor and movie producer.
- Eric Norris – A stunt coordinator and martial artist.
- Dina DeCioli – Chuck’s daughter from another relationship.
Raising a large family (a family with children from different marriages) can be difficult, but Gena has always handled it with love, patience, and kindness.
Gena O’Kelley’s Business Success
Gena O’Kelley is not just a wife and mother—she is also a successful businesswoman. Over the years, she and Chuck have built several businesses together, including:
- CForce Bottled Water (2015) – A premium bottled water brand sourced from their Texas ranch.
- Total Gym (Fitness Business) – Helping promote home fitness solutions.
- Real Estate Investments – Managing multiple properties.
Through her hard work and dedication, she has helped grow their businesses and earn more money. This has made their family’s future safe and stable.
Gena’s Charity Work with Chuck Norris
Gena and Chuck Norris believe in helping others. That’s why they co-chair Kickstart Kids, a program that teaches martial arts and important life skills to young people.
- The program was first called Kick Drugs Out of America when it started in 1990.
- In 2003, it was renamed Kickstart Kids, and Gena became a leader in the program alongside Chuck.
- So far, it has helped more than 100,000 children learn discipline, confidence, and self-control.
Through Kickstart Kids, Gena O’Kelley and Chuck Norris inspire and guide many young people. They help kids learn strong values, respect, and self-discipline, allowing them to succeed in life.
Gena O’Kelley’s Health Struggles
In 2013, Gena’s life changed when she started having serious health problems. It began after she had an MRI scan for rheumatoid arthritis. During the scan, doctors injected her with a special dye called gadolinium to help get clearer images.
Right after the injection, Gena felt a burning pain all over her body. Soon, she started experiencing severe nerve pain and kidney problems. Her condition got worse, and she was stuck in bed for months, unable to live her normal life.
Seeing his wife suffering, Chuck Norris quit acting in 2017 to take care of her full-time. Later, Gena and Chuck filed a lawsuit against 11 medical companies, saying that the dye had poisoned her. They asked for $10 million in damages to help cover her treatments and suffering.
Even though she still has health challenges, Gena keeps fighting every day. With Chuck by her side, she stays strong, proving that their love and support for each other will never break.
Where Is Gena O’Kelley Now?
Today, Gena and Chuck Norris live a quiet and happy life on their ranch in Texas. They spend their time with family, running businesses, and helping others.
Gena prefers to stay private and does not appear in the public eye often. However, she is still actively involved in the Kickstart Kids program. Even after facing health challenges, Gena continues to focus on her loved ones and live a peaceful life with Chuck by her side.
Gena O’Kelley’s Net Worth
According to details, Gena O’Kelley’s net worth is around $1 million, while her husband, Chuck Norris, has a net worth of $70 million. Their wealth comes from several businesses, including CForce Bottled Water, the Total Gym fitness company, and real estate investments. Together, they have built a successful and stable financial future for their family.
Final Thoughts
Gena O’Kelley’s life is a story of love, strength, and determination. She started as a model and businesswoman, built a happy family, supported Chuck Norris, and bravely faced serious health problems. Through it all, she has shown great courage.
She may not be as famous as her husband, but she is a strong and inspiring woman in her own way. Her journey reminds us that behind every strong man, there is an even stronger woman.
We hope you enjoyed learning about Gena O’Kelley’s amazing life!
(FAQs)
Who is Chuck Norris’ wife?
Chuck Norris’ wife is Gena O’Kelley. She is a former model, businesswoman, and philanthropist who has been married to Chuck Norris since November 28, 1998.
How old is Gena O’Kelley?
Gena O’Kelley was born on August 10, 1963. Thus she is 62 years old in 2025.
What illness does Gena O’Kelley have?
In 2013, Gena suffered from serious health issues after an MRI scan. She was injected with a gadolinium-based contrast dye, which led to severe burning sensations, nerve pain, and kidney problems. Her condition worsened, and she had to undergo long-term medical treatment. Chuck Norris even quit acting in 2017 to take care of her full-time.
Are Chuck Norris and Gena O’Kelley still together?
Yes, Chuck Norris and Gena O’Kelley are still together. They have been happily married since 1998 and continue to share a strong and loving relationship. Chuck has always supported Gena, especially during her health struggles.
How many biological children does Gena O’Kelley have?
Gena O’Kelley has four biological children:
- Kelley Gene Tagudin (born 1985) – A teacher, wife, and mother.
- Timothy Robert Hinschberger (born 1987) – A sports lover and dog enthusiast.
- Dakota Alan Norris (born 2001) – A third-degree black belt in martial arts and YouTube content creator.
- Danilee Kelly Norris (born 2001) – A second-degree black belt in martial arts.
She is also a stepmother to Chuck Norris’ three children from his previous relationships.
Where is Gena O’Kelley today?
Today, Gena O’Kelley lives a peaceful life with Chuck Norris at their ranch in Texas.
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