Dianne Holechek, the first wife of Hollywood action star Chuck Norris, passed away at the age of 84 at her home in Texas on December 20, 2024, After a prolonged battle with dementia, her family confirmed.
The couple’s son, Mike Norris, announced the death, stating that his mother died peacefully following years of struggling with the degenerative brain disease.
Mike Norris expressed his grief in a statement, saying his mother was no longer suffering and describing her as the most incredible mom. I have shared that the family felt fortunate to have her in their lives, although they were heartbroken by the loss.
Chuck Norris, now 85, also paid tribute to his former wife, describing her as an incredible person who was kind, intelligent, and lived life to the fullest.
Dianne and Chuck first met as teenagers at a high school in Torrance, California, in the late 1950s. The high school sweethearts married in 1958, when Dianne was 17, and Chuck was 18. During their three-decade-long marriage, they welcomed two sons: Mike, who became an actor and director, and Eric, who became a NASCAR driver.
Throughout their marriage, Dianne stood by Chuck’s side as he rose to fame as a martial arts champion and action movie star during the 1970s and 1980s. However, their relationship faced challenges, including Chuck’s infidelity in the early 1960s when he fathered a daughter with another woman while serving in the United States Air Force. The couple eventually separated in 1988 and finalized their divorce in 1989 after 30 years together.
Despite their divorce, Chuck and Dianne maintained a close friendship for decades. In his tribute, Chuck emphasized that those years of friendship meant the world to him and that Dianne remained an essential part of his life. After her divorce, Dianne chose to live a private life away from the Hollywood spotlight, avoiding media attention and public appearances.
The heartbreaking loss comes just over a year after Chuck Norris mourned the death of his mother, Wilma, who passed away in December 2023 at the age of 103. The family has not yet announced any public funeral arrangements as they mourn privately during this difficult time.
