James Westley Welch: Early Life, Marriage, and Family Background as Raquel Welch’s Ex-Husband
James Westley Welch became known to many people as the first husband of famous actress Raquel Welch. However, his own life story shows a man who chose privacy over fame and built success on his own terms. This article explores his early years, his marriage to one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, and the life he lived away from the spotlight.
Detailed Bio Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Westley Welch |
| Birth Date | January 29, 1937 |
| Birth Place | Pike County, Missouri, USA |
| Death Date | November 23, 2019 |
| Death Place | Bryan, Texas, USA |
| Age at Death | 82 years |
| Father | Hiriam Joseph Welch (died 1991) |
| Mother | Doris Latanne Hilburn |
| First Marriage | Raquel Welch (1959-1964) |
| Second Marriage | Jean (details private) |
| Children | Damon Welch (born November 6, 1959) Tahnee Welch (born December 26, 1961) One son with Jean |
| Occupation | Tuna Fisherman, Publicist, Real Estate Developer |
| Net Worth | Approximately $40 million |
| Known For | First husband of actress Raquel Welch |
Early Life and Background
James Westley Welch was born on January 29, 1937, in Pike County, Missouri. He grew up in a simple, hard-working American family during a difficult time in history, just after the Great Depression. His father, Hiriam Joseph Welch, passed away in 1991, while his mother was Doris Latanne Hilburn.
High School Romance with Raquel Welch
The love story between James and Raquel began when they were just 15 years old. They met at La Jolla High School in San Diego, California, where James played on the football team and Raquel was a cheerleader. According to Raquel’s own words in her 2010 book, it was love at first sight.
Raquel later wrote that from the first moment she saw him, she knew he was special. She described James as a handsome young man with green eyes and a calm personality. She thought of him as her “Prince Charming” and believed she was meant to be with him.
The young couple shared many sweet moments together. They would drive to school in James’s car – one of the few students who had one because his stepfather founded Fed Mart Corporation. After football games, they went for burgers and shakes with friends. Their favorite song was “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke, and they loved dancing together at school events.
Marriage and Family Life
When James Westley Welch returned to San Diego, the couple’s romance continued. They got married on May 8, 1959, in Las Vegas. Both were very young – still college students at San Diego State University. Raquel even dropped out of college to marry James. Their families were not completely happy about the quick marriage because of their young age.
Despite being so young, the couple started a family right away. Their first child, a son named Damon Welch, was born on November 6, 1959, just months after their wedding. Raquel was only 19 years old when she became a mother, which she later said was “painfully young.” Two years later, on December 26, 1961, they welcomed their daughter, Latanne Rene “Tahnee” Welch. Tahnee was named after James’s mother, Tahnee Land.
During their marriage, Raquel worked as a weather presenter at a local television station in San Diego and also did some modeling. She tried to balance her growing career with cooking, cleaning their small apartment in Pacific Beach, and caring for their children. However, as Raquel’s career began to grow, James found it difficult to handle her rising fame and public attention.
The Challenges and Divorce
As time went on, the young couple faced many problems. Raquel wanted to move to New York and work in theater, but James had different plans for their future. The couple separated in 1962 when their daughter Tahnee was still a baby.
Raquel made a difficult decision. She took their two children and moved to Los Angeles to follow her dream of becoming an actress. She later wrote in her book that leaving James was “the most painful decision of my entire life.” She felt deep regret about the damage she caused to James and their children by leaving to chase her Hollywood dreams.
The couple’s divorce became final in 1964, ending their five-year marriage. In 1973, James admitted to reporters that he had been difficult during their marriage but also said their relationship had beautiful moments. He described them as just “kids in love” who didn’t know how to handle everything.
Life After Divorce
After the divorce, James Westley Welch chose a completely different path from his ex-wife. While Raquel became a Hollywood superstar known around the world, James stepped away from the public eye. He wanted a quiet, normal life.
James Westley Welch worked in several different jobs over the years. He had been a tuna fisherman in his youth, and later worked as a publicist in the entertainment industry. Eventually, he found great success in real estate development. His smart business decisions helped him build considerable wealth. By the time of his death, his net worth was around $40 million.
James Westley Welch also remarried. He married a woman named Jean, and together they had a son. Very little is known about this marriage because James kept it completely private. He never gave interviews or talked to the media about his personal life.
Relationship with His Children
Even though James and Raquel divorced, both parents cared deeply about their children. In 1977, after being apart for 15 years, James reached out to Raquel. This meeting wasn’t about romance – it was about their children and making sure they had good relationships with both parents.
Both Damon and Tahnee Welch followed their parents into the entertainment world. Damon became an actor and producer, working on projects like “The Day the Earth Got Stoned” in 1979. Tahnee became a model and actress, appearing in films like “Cocoon” in 1985 and “I Shot Andy Warhol” in 1996.
Raquel’s second husband, producer Patrick Curtis, legally adopted both children. However, James tried to stay involved in their lives despite the distance and challenges that came with Raquel’s fame.
Raquel’s Lasting Love
In her 2010 book “Raquel: Beyond the Cleavage,” Raquel wrote honestly about her feelings for James. She said that he would always be her “first true love” and described him as “the unforgettable, always-present love, against whom all others would be judged.”
Raquel married three more times after James – to Patrick Curtis (1967-1972), André Weinfeld (1980-1990), and Richard Palmer (1999-2004). However, she always spoke of James as someone special who could never be replaced.
This shows that even though their marriage ended, the love they shared as teenagers left a permanent mark on both of their lives. James represented a simpler, more innocent time before fame changed everything.
Final Years and Death
James Westley Welch lived his later years quietly and peacefully. He stayed out of the media and focused on his family and business interests. He lived in Texas during his final years.
On November 23, 2019, James passed away at the age of 82 at the Legacy Nursing Center and Rehabilitation in Bryan, Texas. His death was as quiet and private as the life he had chosen to live.
Raquel Welch herself passed away a few years later, on February 15, 2023, at the age of 82, after a short illness. Both of them are now gone, but their story remains a touching example of young love and the different paths people can take in life.
Conclusion
James Westley Welch’s life teaches us that success and meaning come in many forms. While the world watched Raquel Welch become a Hollywood legend, James quietly built his own successful life based on privacy, hard work, and personal values. He chose a path away from fame and found happiness and financial success through his own efforts. Though he is often remembered simply as Raquel Welch’s first husband, his story shows a man of independence and quiet dignity who lived life on his own terms. His legacy lives on through his children and the impact he had on one of Hollywood’s most famous stars.
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