The world is mourning the loss of entertainment icon Chuck Norris, after his death was announced on Friday, March 20. He was 86. However, in December 2025, the actor was mourning someone close to him: his first wife, Dianne Holechek.
Chuck Norris & His Relationship with His First Wife
GettyNorris and Holechek were high school sweethearts and married in 1958. They divorced in 1989 and separated the year before, in 1988, People reports. Despite their split, they remained close friends. When Holechek passed away after a lengthy battle with dementia at age 84, Norris announced her death in a Facebook post and reflected on their lifelong friendship.
The former couple shared two sons, Mike Norris and Eric Norris.
“I am deeply saddened to share that my ex-wife, Dianne, has passed away. After being married for 30 years, we were able to find a way to remain close friends, and those years of friendship meant the world to me,” Norris wrote. “Dianne was an incredible person. She was kind, intelligent, and lived life to the fullest. Her presence in my life will never be forgotten. She was also a loving and devoted mother to our sons, Mike and Eric, who were always her greatest pride.”
He also wrote about how they cared for each other, and he would “forever cherish the memories we built together.”
Chuck Norris Celebrates Marriage to Second Wife
Norris married for the second time in 1998, sharing a long and beautiful relationship with Gena O’Kelley. He was incredibly thankful that she had come into his life and spoke about their bond in an Instagram post on November 27, 2024, to mark their 26th wedding anniversary.
“Happy 26th wedding anniversary to my beautiful wife! You always fill my life with joy, love, and countless wonderful memories,” he captioned a post that included throwback photos from their wedding day. “I am so thankful and blessed to wake up next to the most incredible woman that God could have ever blessed me with. Every moment with you is indescribably precious to me. I love you, Gena. Forever and always.”
On October 16, 2023, Norris celebrated his wife on Instagram with a heartfelt message of gratitude. “There’s nothing like enjoying the day with my wonderful wife,” he wrote. “The Lord has truly blessed me with the most amazing woman I could’ve ever asked for. I love you, Gena. More than words can describe.”
