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Dianne Holechek, the first wife of renowned actor and martial artist Chuck Norris, has died. She was 84.
Holechek, who was the “Walker, Texas Ranger” actor’s high school sweetheart, died peacefully at her home in Texas after years of battling dementia, their son, actor Mike Norris, told TMZ on Sunday.
“We are thankful she is no longer suffering. She was the best, the greatest mom,” Mike said. “We were so lucky to have her.”
Norris, 85, said he was “deeply saddened” by the news of his ex-wife’s death.
“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,” the “Delta Force” star wrote in a touching Facebook statement.
“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.
“Even as our lives took different directions, we continued to care deeply for one another, and I will forever cherish the memories we built together,” Norris added.
Holechek met Norris in the late 1950s while they were both students at North High School in Torrance, California.
They married in 1958, when they were 18 and 17.
The couple shared two sons: Mike and former NASCAR driver Eric Norris.
The marriage encountered significant strain in 1963 after Norris engaged in an affair while serving in the United States Air Force.
Norris did not inform the woman that he was married, and the relationship resulted in the birth of his daughter, Dina, according to TMZ.
While Norris rose to prominence in Hollywood, Holechek made occasional red-carpet appearances with him but otherwise led a private life away from the spotlight.
After three decades of marriage, Holechek and the “Way of the Dragon” actor separated in 1988, with their divorce finalized the following year.
Norris later married model Gena O’Kelley in 1998. The couple has remained together and welcomed twins in 2001.
It’s unclear whether Holechek ever remarried after her divorce from the “The Expendables 2” actor.
She is survived by her two sons and seven grandchildren, according to Parade.
English (US)