When you think of Tim Allen, you probably remember him as the funny dad from “Home Improvement” or as the voice of Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story.” But before all the fame and success, there was a woman who stood by him through his darkest days. Her name is Laura Deibel, and this is her story.
Personal Info
| Full Name | Laura Deibel |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 12, 1956 |
| Place of Birth | Omena, Michigan, USA |
| Age | 68 years old (as of 2025) |
| Education | Western Michigan University |
| Former Profession | Sales Manager, CEO of Tim Allen Signature Tools |
| Famous For | First wife of actor Tim Allen |
| Marriage Date | April 7, 1984 |
| Divorce Date | 2003 |
| Children | Katherine “Kady” Allen (born 1989) |
| Net Worth | $1 million – $1.5 million |
Early Life and Education
Laura Deibel was born in the small town of Omena, Michigan. She grew up in a quiet place where people valued simple living and strong family connections. Not much is known about her childhood because Laura has always preferred to keep her personal life private.
She attended Western Michigan University, where she studied and built her future. College was an important time in her life, not just for education, but because that’s where she met a young man named Tim Allen. At that time, Tim was just a regular college student trying to find his path in life.
Meeting Tim Allen: A College Love Story
Laura and Tim met in the late 1970s at Western Michigan University. They were both young and full of dreams. Their friendship slowly turned into love. Laura saw something special in Tim, even though he wasn’t famous or successful yet.
Their relationship faced a huge test early on. In October 1978, Tim was arrested at an airport with over 650 grams of cocaine. This was a very serious crime, and he could have spent his entire life in prison. Instead, he gave police the names of other drug dealers and received a shorter sentence. Tim ended up spending two years and four months in federal prison.
Most people would walk away from someone in that situation. But Laura didn’t. She waited for him. She supported him even when things looked really bad. When asked about this difficult time, Laura simply said, “We loved each other. It was that simple.”
This kind of loyalty is rare and showed just how strong Laura was as a person.
Marriage and Family Life
After Tim was released from prison, he started rebuilding his life. He returned to comedy and began performing at clubs. Laura and Tim got married on April 7, 1984. At that time, Tim was still working hard to become a comedian, and they didn’t have much money.
Before marriage, Laura worked as a sales manager for an interior landscaping company. This job helped support their family while Tim pursued his dreams. She believed in his talent and kept encouraging him to keep going.
In 1989, their daughter Katherine, often called “Kady,” was born. Becoming a mother brought Laura great joy. She decided to leave her job and become a full-time mother. She wanted to give Kady a stable and loving home.
Supporting Tim’s Rise to Fame
In 1991, everything changed for the Allen family. Tim got the starring role in a new TV show called “Home Improvement.” The show became a huge hit, and suddenly, Tim Allen was a household name. He was on television every week, doing interviews, and becoming more and more famous.
While Tim’s career was taking off, Laura was busy at home raising their daughter. She handled all the daily tasks of running a household and being a mom. She also became the CEO of Tim Allen Signature Tools, a company that made and sold tools like hammers and drills. This showed that Laura was not just a homemaker but also a smart businesswoman.
However, as Tim became more famous, their family life became harder. Tim was always busy filming the show, attending events, and working on new projects. He had less and less time for Laura and Kady. Laura found herself doing most of the parenting alone. She tried to keep the family together, but the distance between them was growing.
Facing Hard Times Together
Tim’s success came with problems. The pressure of being famous and working constantly took a toll on him. He started drinking more, and his alcohol use became a serious issue. In 1997, Tim was arrested for drunk driving. This was another difficult moment for the family.
In 1998, Tim went to rehab to get help for his alcohol addiction. Laura supported him through this struggle, just like she had supported him through prison years earlier. But the stress of everything was too much for their marriage to handle.
Tim later talked about how his addiction affected his family. He admitted that he wasn’t connecting with Laura and Kady the way he should have been. The fame, the work schedule, and his personal problems all created distance between them.
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The End of a Marriage
By 1999, after 15 years of marriage, Laura and Tim separated. Their divorce was finalized in 2003. It was a sad ending to a relationship that had survived so much. But Laura handled the divorce with grace and dignity. She didn’t speak badly about Tim in public or try to get attention from the media.
Even though their marriage ended, Laura and Tim remained respectful toward each other, especially for the sake of their daughter Kady. They worked together as parents and showed maturity in how they handled their separation.
Life After Divorce
After the divorce, Laura Deibel did something that surprised many people. Instead of trying to stay in the spotlight or use her connection to Tim for fame, she chose a completely different path. She walked away from Hollywood and returned to a quiet, private life.
Laura left her position as CEO of Tim Allen Signature Tools and went back to work as a sales manager, which was her career before marrying Tim. She reportedly lives in Sherman Oaks, California, a peaceful area where many people enjoy privacy and calm.
Laura has never remarried, and she doesn’t give interviews or appear at public events. She’s not on social media, and she doesn’t share details about her life. This choice to live privately shows her character. She values peace and privacy more than fame or attention.
Relationship with Her Daughter
One of the most important parts of Laura’s life is her relationship with her daughter, Kady. Laura dedicated herself to being a good mother, even during the difficult times in her marriage. She raised Kady with love and care, always trying to give her a normal childhood despite having a famous father.
Kady grew up to be a private person like her mother. She doesn’t seek attention or fame either. This shows how Laura’s values were passed down to her daughter. Today, Laura and Kady share a close bond, and Laura continues to be a supportive and loving mother.
Net Worth and Financial Independence
Many people wonder about Laura Deibel’s financial situation today. As of 2025, her net worth is between $1 million and $1.5 million. Most of this money came from her divorce settlement with Tim Allen, who is worth millions of dollars from his successful acting career.
However, Laura also earned money from her own work over the years. She worked as a sales manager and was the CEO of Tim Allen Signature Tools for some time. She has managed her finances carefully and lives comfortably without needing to rely on Tim or seek public attention.
Why People Still Admire Laura Deibel
Laura Deibel’s story continues to inspire people for several reasons:
Her Loyalty: She stood by Tim Allen when he was in prison. Most people would have left, but Laura stayed and supported him through those dark years.
Her Strength: Laura faced many challenges, including Tim’s addiction problems and the stress of his fame. She handled everything with quiet strength and never complained publicly.
Her Privacy: In today’s world, where everyone shares everything online, Laura chose to live privately. She didn’t write a tell-all book or give interviews about her marriage to a famous actor.
Her Grace: Even after the divorce, Laura never spoke badly about Tim. She handled the end of their marriage with dignity and respect.
Her Focus on Family: Throughout everything, Laura’s main priority was being a good mother to Kady. She put her daughter first and created a loving, stable home for her.
Tim Allen Today
While Laura chose a private life, Tim Allen remarried. He married actress Jane Hajduk in 2006, and they have a daughter together named Elizabeth, born in 2009. Tim has continued his successful career, starring in shows like “Last Man Standing” and continuing to voice Buzz Lightyear in the “Toy Story” movies.
Tim has spoken about his past mistakes and how he learned from them. He credits his time in prison and his struggles with addiction as moments that changed his life. While he doesn’t talk much about Laura in public, it’s clear that she played an important role in helping him survive his toughest times.
The Quiet Strength of Laura Deibel
Laura Deibel may not be a famous Hollywood name, but her story is one worth knowing. She represents something that’s becoming rare in our modern world: the choice to live quietly and privately, even when you could easily seek fame and attention.
She was there for Tim Allen when he had nothing. She supported him through prison, addiction, and the early struggles of his comedy career. She raised their daughter with love. And when her marriage ended, she walked away with grace and chose peace over publicity.
Today, in 2025, Laura lives a life that most celebrity ex-wives would never choose. She doesn’t do interviews. She doesn’t appear on reality TV shows. She doesn’t write books about her famous ex-husband. Instead, she lives quietly, focuses on her family, and enjoys her privacy.
Her story teaches us that strength doesn’t always need to be loud. Sometimes, the strongest people are the ones who choose to step back, live peacefully, and find happiness away from the cameras and attention.
While the world knows Tim Allen’s name and face, those who know the full story will always remember Laura Deibel as the woman who helped him rise from his lowest point to Hollywood success and then walked away with dignity when it was time to move on.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Laura Deibel?
Laura Deibel is the first wife of famous actor and comedian Tim Allen. She supported him through difficult times, including his prison sentence, before he became a Hollywood star. Today, she lives a private life away from the spotlight.
2. Why did Laura Deibel and Tim Allen get divorced?
Laura and Tim divorced because Tim’s busy Hollywood career created distance in their marriage. His work schedule, fame, and struggles with alcohol addiction put stress on their relationship. They separated in 1999 and finalized their divorce in 2003.
3. Does Laura Deibel have children?
Yes, Laura has one daughter with Tim Allen named Katherine, who is often called “Kady.” She was born in 1989. Laura dedicated herself to being a full-time mother and raising Kady in a loving home.
4. What is Laura Deibel doing now?
Laura lives a quiet, private life, most likely in Sherman Oaks, California. She works as a sales manager and has chosen to stay away from public attention. She doesn’t do interviews or use social media.
5. How much is Laura Deibel worth?
Laura Deibel’s net worth is between $1 million and $1.5 million as of 2025. Most of her money came from her divorce settlement with Tim Allen and her own career earnings over the years.
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