Hollywood has lost a quiet legend from behind the scenes of one of its toughest stars. Dianne Holechek — Chuck Norris’ first wife, lifelong love, and the woman who stood by him before fame, fortune, and martial arts glory — has died at 84.
Holechek passed away peacefully at her Texas home following a long and painful battle with dementia, her son Mike Norris confirmed to TMZ. “We are thankful she is no longer suffering,” he said. “She was the best, the greatest mom. We were so lucky to have her.”
Dianne and Chuck’s story began like a Hollywood movie — two teens falling in love at Torrance High School in the late 1950s. They tied the knot when she was just 17 and he was 18, long before he became the butt-kicking icon of the ’70s and ’80s.
Together they raised two sons, Mike and Eric Norris, while Chuck was still chasing his dreams — first in the Air Force, then on the karate circuit, and eventually on the big screen. But their picture-perfect love story was tested when Chuck fathered a daughter with another woman during his service years.
Still, Dianne stood by his side through the whirlwind of fame — from martial arts championships to blockbuster action roles. Their marriage finally ended in 1989 after more than three decades together.
After the split, Dianne disappeared from Hollywood’s spotlight, choosing peace and privacy over glitz and gossip.
Now, her passing closes a poignant chapter in Chuck Norris’ life — the woman who knew him before the fame, the fights, and the fortune is gone.
Dianne Holechek was 84.
God rest her soul