The 6 People Expected to Inherit Chuck Norris’ $70M Fortune After His ‘Sudden’ Death
Celebrated martial artist and subject of many memes, Chuck Norris, passed away on March 20 at the age of 86. Norris, who rose to fame in the 70s when he starred opposite Bruce Lee in 1972’s The Way of the Dragon, and who became a household name for his role of Cordell Walker in the Walker, Texas Ranger action crime series, had a long and successful career in Hollywood, and leaves behind a wife and five children.
The details of how exactly he passed away are still being kept under wraps, but his family confirmed his passing on social media a day after TMZ reported he had been hospitalized after a medical emergency. What happens next? Who will inherit Norris’s estate? Here’s everything we know.
Chuck Norris’ Net Worth Before Death & How Much He Made
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Norris was worth approximately $70 million at the time of his death. Much of that money was made due to his acting career, though Norris considered himself a martial artist first and foremost and held black belts in karate, taekwondo, tang soo do, Brazilian jiu jitsu, judo and the martial arts discipline he founded, chun kuk do.
“It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning,” his family posted on social media. “While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.”
That family includes Norris’ five kids and his wife, Gena O’Kelley, an actress and former model, whom he married in 1998. His five children and wife are expected to inherit most of Norris’ money, though no details about the breakdown have yet been revealed. O’Kelley is the mother of two of Norris’ children, twins Dakota and Danilee, who were born in 2001. Norris also had two sons with his first wife, Diane Holechek. Mike, who was born in 1962, and Eric, who was born in 1965.
In a 2004 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Norris revealed that he learned he had a daughter, Dina, born in 1964. Dina only reached out to him when she was 26. “I was going through my mail at home and I see this letter and I open it up,” he said. “It’s from Dina … and she says, ‘I’m your daughter from a past experience,’ and she said, ‘I found out you were my father when I was 16, but my mother said you were married and we shouldn’t interfere with your family.’”
The two went on to develop a close relationship.
“To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength. To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family. He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives,” the family statement also read.
