Personal Info
| Full Name | James Westley Welch |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 29, 1937 |
| Place of Birth | Pike County, Missouri, USA |
| Date of Death | November 23, 2019 |
| Age at Death | 82 years |
| Famous For | First husband of actress Raquel Welch |
| Occupation | Tuna fisherman, publicist, real estate developer |
| Children | Damon Welch (born 1959), Tahnee Welch (born 1961) |
| Marriage Duration | 1959-1964 (5 years) |
| Net Worth | Around $40 million |
Early Life and Background
James Westley Welch was born on January 29, 1937, in Pike County, Missouri. This small town in the American Midwest was far away from the bright lights of Hollywood. His father was Hiriam Joseph Welch, and his mother was Doris Latanne Hilburn. James grew up in a simple, hard-working family during difficult times—the end of the Great Depression and World War II.
Life in Missouri in the 1930s and 1940s was not easy. Most people lived in farming communities where everyone worked hard to make a living. James learned important values from his childhood: never give up, work hard, and stay strong when life gets tough. These lessons would help him throughout his whole life.
Not much is known about James’s school years, but he finished high school in Missouri. People who knew him said he was friendly, brave, and down-to-earth. He did not like being the center of attention, but he had a quiet confidence that made people notice him. James wanted to see more of the world beyond his small hometown, and this desire would lead him to California and later to meeting the woman who would become his wife.
Meeting Raquel Welch: A High School Love Story
James’s life changed when he met a young girl named Raquel Tejada at La Jolla High School in San Diego, California. Raquel would later become famous as Raquel Welch, one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. They were just teenagers when they first met, and their love story began in the hallways of their school.
James and Raquel became high school sweethearts. In her own words, Raquel called James her “first true love.” They spent their teenage years together, sharing dreams and plans for the future. Their relationship was young and full of hope—two people who truly cared about each other.
Their love continued to grow even after high school ended. Both of them went to San Diego State College together, where they continued their education and their relationship. It was during this time that they decided to take the biggest step of their lives—getting married.
Marriage and Family Life
On May 8, 1959, James and Raquel got married in Las Vegas. They were very young—Raquel was only 18 years old. In her later interviews and autobiography, Raquel shared that marrying James was something she did for herself, even though her father did not want her to marry so young. It was an act of independence, showing that she wanted to make her own choices in life.
Being young and married brought many challenges. They had to figure out how to pay bills, cook meals, and run a home together. Raquel often called her mother for advice about recipes and how to clean the house. James was looking for work to support them. Life was not easy, but they were trying their best.
Their family grew quickly. Just six months after their wedding, their son Damon Welch was born on November 6, 1959. Two years later, their daughter Latanne Rene “Tahnee” Welch was born on December 26, 1961. Tahnee’s name came from James’s mother, showing how much family meant to him.
Becoming parents at such a young age was difficult. James and Raquel had to balance work, money problems, and taking care of two small children. At the same time, Raquel was starting to get opportunities in the entertainment world, which would soon make her famous.
James’s Work Life
James’s first job was very different from the Hollywood world. He worked as a tuna fisherman, which is hard and demanding work. Fishermen spend long hours at sea, working with heavy nets and facing all kinds of weather. This job kept James away from home for long periods of time, which made family life even more challenging.
However, James had bigger dreams. He did not want to spend his whole life fishing. He moved into the entertainment industry, working as a publicist and agent. This career was perfect for James because he was good at talking to people and understanding what they needed. As a publicist, he helped promote actors and entertainers, working behind the scenes in Hollywood.
The End of Their Marriage
Despite their love for each other, James and Raquel’s marriage faced serious problems. Raquel was becoming more and more famous, and her career was taking off. The demands of Hollywood life, combined with the stress of being young parents, created too much pressure on their relationship.
The couple separated in 1962, when Raquel was only 21 years old. Two years later, in 1964, they officially divorced. Years later, Raquel talked about how difficult it was to be a mother at such a young age. She said being 19 when she had her first baby was “painfully young” and contributed to their divorce.
After the divorce, James was drafted into the military. He joined the Green Berets, an elite special forces unit. This shows that James was brave and strong, willing to serve his country.
Even though their marriage ended, Raquel kept James’s last name, Welch, for the rest of her life and career. This showed that their time together was still important to her, and the name connected her to her children forever.
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Life After Divorce
After his marriage to Raquel ended, James chose a different path. He did not try to stay in Hollywood or use his connection to Raquel to become famous. Instead, he focused on building his own career and living a quiet life away from public attention.
James remarried a woman named Jean, and they had a son together. He also stayed in touch with his two children from his first marriage. Despite the distance and the divorce, James remained a father to Damon and Tahnee.
James moved into real estate development, and this is where he found his greatest success. He was smart about buying and developing properties, especially residential homes. During the 1970s and 1980s, California was growing fast, and many people needed new homes. James worked hard in this business and became very successful.
His real estate work made him a wealthy man. By the time he died, James had built a fortune worth around $40 million. This shows that he was not just “Raquel Welch’s ex-husband”—he was a successful businessman who made his own way in life.
His Children’s Lives
James’s children both followed their mother into the entertainment world, though in different ways.
Damon Welch, the older child, stayed more private like his father. He appeared in a few films, including his mother’s 1971 drama “The Beloved” and the 1979 movie “The Day the Earth Got Stoned.” He also worked on the crew of his mother’s 1984 workout video. Damon later became a computer consultant and lived a quiet life.
Tahnee Welch, the younger child, became an actress and model just like her mother. She was very beautiful and appeared in famous magazines like Vogue and GQ. Her biggest acting role was in the 1985 movie “Cocoon,” directed by Ron Howard. She also appeared in the sequel “Cocoon: The Return” in 1988. Tahnee had a successful career in both America and Europe, working in films and fashion.
Both children show James’s influence—they found success but also valued privacy and staying grounded.
Later Years and Death
In his later years, James lived a quiet life focused on his family and his real estate business. He did not give interviews or try to get attention. He was happy living away from the cameras and the Hollywood scene that had once been part of his life.
James Westley Welch passed away peacefully on November 23, 2019, at the Legacy Nursing Center and Rehabilitation in Bryan, Texas. He was 82 years old. His death was quiet, just like the life he chose to live after his divorce from Raquel.
Four years later, in February 2023, Raquel Welch also passed away at age 82. Even though their marriage had ended nearly 60 years earlier, they remained connected through their children and the name they shared.
James Welch’s Legacy
James Westley Welch may not be a household name, but his story is important. He was a man who worked hard, faced challenges, and built a successful life on his own terms. He was not interested in fame or being in the spotlight—he wanted to work, provide for his family, and live with dignity.
His life shows us that you do not need to be famous to be successful. While Raquel became an international star, James built his own fortune in real estate. He proved that there are many different ways to have a successful and meaningful life.
James’s biggest legacy is his children. Through Damon and Tahnee, his family line continues. His values of hard work, privacy, and independence live on in them.
People today remember James as the man who gave Raquel Welch her famous last name, but he was so much more than that. He was a fisherman, a soldier, a publicist, a real estate developer, and most importantly, a father. His story reminds us that every person has their own journey, and success can be measured in many different ways.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who was James Westley Welch?
James Westley Welch was an American businessman and the first husband of actress Raquel Welch. He worked as a tuna fisherman, publicist, and later became a successful real estate developer. He is best known as the father of Raquel’s two children, Damon and Tahnee Welch.
2. How long were James and Raquel married?
James and Raquel were married for five years, from 1959 to 1964. They separated in 1962 and officially divorced in 1964. Despite their divorce, Raquel kept his last name for her entire life and career.
3. Did James Westley Welch have children?
Yes, James had two children with Raquel Welch. Their son Damon was born on November 6, 1959, and their daughter Tahnee was born on December 26, 1961. Both children pursued careers in entertainment, though Tahnee became more famous as an actress and model.
4. What did James do for work?
James had several different jobs throughout his life. He started as a tuna fisherman, then worked as a publicist and agent in Hollywood. After his divorce, he served in the military with the Green Berets. Later, he found great success as a real estate developer in California.
5. When did James Westley Welch die?
James Westley Welch died on November 23, 2019, at the age of 82. He passed away peacefully at a nursing center in Bryan, Texas. At the time of his death, he was worth approximately $40 million from his successful real estate business.
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