When people think of Chuck Norris, they picture a tough action star and martial arts master. But behind his famous career is a touching family story that many people don’t know about. It’s the story of his daughter, Dina Norris, who he didn’t meet until she was 26 years old.
Personal Info
| Full Name | Dina DiCiolli (born Dina Norris) |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 1963 |
| Age | 62 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Hemet, California, USA |
| Father | Chuck Norris |
| Mother | Johanna |
| Husband | Damien DiCiolli |
| Children | 3 (Gabi, Dante, and Eli) |
| Education | Business Administration degree |
| Career | Real estate agent, operations manager, public relations |
| Current Location | Frisco, Texas, USA |
The Secret Beginning
Dina’s story started in the early 1960s. Her mother, Johanna, had a short relationship with Chuck Norris while he was serving in the United States Air Force in California. At that time, Chuck was already married to his first wife, Dianne Holechek. He never told Johanna about his marriage.
After their brief time together ended, Johanna discovered she was pregnant. She made the difficult choice to raise Dina on her own and kept the father’s identity secret. For many years, nobody outside their small family knew that Chuck Norris had another daughter.
A Life-Changing Discovery
Dina was only 16 years old when her world changed completely. One day, she was at home and heard her mother talking to a friend. During that conversation, Dina heard something shocking – Chuck Norris, the famous action star, was her real father.
Instead of asking her mother about it right away, Dina kept this secret to herself. She didn’t tell anyone what she knew. For the next 10 years, she lived with this knowledge but didn’t try to contact her father. Her mother had actually told her not to reach out to Chuck because he had his own family and she didn’t want to cause problems.
The Brave Letter
In 1991, when Dina was 26 years old, she finally decided to take action. She wrote a heartfelt letter to Chuck Norris. The letter simply said, “I am your daughter. My mother is Johanna.”
When Chuck opened the letter one morning, he was completely surprised. He remembered his relationship with Johanna many years ago. Despite his shock, he agreed to meet with Dina and her mother to learn the truth.
A Father’s Love
The meeting between Chuck and Dina was very emotional. Chuck later wrote about this special moment in his book. He said he didn’t need a DNA test to know she was his daughter. When he saw her for the first time, he knew immediately.
“I went to her, wrapped my arms around her, and we both started crying,” Chuck recalled. He said it felt like he had known her his whole life, even though they had just met.
From that day forward, Chuck welcomed Dina into his life with open arms. He made it clear that while there might be parents who make mistakes, there are no illegitimate children. Every person has value and deserves love.
Building a New Family Bond
After their reunion, Dina didn’t just gain a father – she also got new brothers and sisters. Chuck had two sons from his first marriage: Mike Norris, who became an actor, and Eric Norris, who became a professional race car driver. Later, Chuck married his current wife, Gena O’Kelley, and they had twins named Dakota and Danilee.
Dina built strong relationships with all her half-siblings. The family spent time together, went on vacations, and celebrated important events like any normal family would. In 2018, Chuck proudly attended his granddaughter Gabi’s wedding, showing how close the family had become.
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Dina’s Education and Career
Even before meeting her famous father, Dina was working hard to build her own life. She graduated from Hemet High School in 1981. After that, she continued her education at Mount San Jacinto College and Orange Coast College, where she earned a degree in Business Administration.
Dina’s career shows her independence and hard work. She didn’t rely on her father’s fame to succeed. Instead, she built her own path through different jobs:
- She worked as a test engineer assistant at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems
- She became a staffing representative and operations manager at TPM Personnel
- From 1996 to 2000, she worked in public relations on her father’s TV show “Walker, Texas Ranger”
- She later worked as a real estate agent at Keller Williams Realty
- Currently, she works as a recruitment consultant at Zilis LLC
Her Own Happy Family
Dina is married to Damien DiCiolli, and they live together in Frisco, Texas. The couple has three children who have brought even more joy to their lives.
Their daughter, Gabi Boardman, is now married. Chuck Norris walked proudly beside his granddaughter at her wedding in 2018. Their son Dante enjoyed playing soccer and was known as a good goalkeeper. Their other son, Eli, also loves sports and spending time with family.
Even though Dina only met her father later in life, her children have enjoyed having Chuck as their grandfather from a young age. They go on family trips together, share holidays, and have created many special memories.
A Private Life Away from Fame
Unlike many celebrity children, Dina has chosen to live a quiet, private life. She doesn’t appear in movies or magazines. She doesn’t seek attention or try to use her father’s fame for herself.
Friends and family describe Dina as humble, down-to-earth, and family-oriented. She focuses on her work, her husband, and her children. Her story shows that you can be connected to fame but still choose to live a normal, meaningful life.
The Value of Second Chances
Dina’s story teaches us important lessons about family, forgiveness, and second chances. Even though she and Chuck lost 26 years together, they made the most of the time they have now. They built a real relationship based on love and acceptance.
Chuck has said that meeting Dina changed his life. It taught him about taking responsibility and making things right, even when it’s difficult. For Dina, finding her father gave her a sense of belonging and answered questions she had carried for years.
Life Today
As of 2025, Dina continues to live in Texas with her family. She remains active in her career and enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her estimated net worth is around $2 million, which she earned through her own hard work in real estate and business, not from her father’s wealth.
Dina’s relationship with Chuck remains strong. They stay in touch and continue to be part of each other’s lives. The years they lost can never be replaced, but the bond they built shows that it’s never too late for family to come together.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How old was Dina Norris when she found out Chuck Norris was her father? Dina was 16 years old when she accidentally overheard her mother talking about it, but she waited until she was 26 to contact him.
2. Did Chuck Norris know about Dina before 1991? No, Chuck had no idea that Dina existed until she wrote him a letter in 1991.
3. Is Dina Norris married? Yes, Dina is married to Damien DiCiolli, and they have three children together.
4. What does Dina Norris do for work? Dina has worked in several fields including real estate, public relations, operations management, and recruitment consulting.
5. How many siblings does Dina have? Dina has four half-siblings: Mike, Eric, Dakota, and Danilee from her father’s two marriages.
6. Did Dina work on her father’s TV show? Yes, from 1996 to 2000, Dina worked as a public relations assistant on “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
7. Where does Dina Norris live now? Dina lives in Frisco, Texas, with her husband and family.
8. Does Dina have a good relationship with Chuck Norris now? Yes, they have built a strong, loving relationship since their reunion in 1991.
9. Is Dina active on social media? No, Dina maintains a very private life and is not active on public social media platforms.
10. What is Dina Norris’s net worth? Her estimated net worth is around $2 million, earned through her career in business and real estate.
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