David Bridges
Duane “Dog The Bounty Hunter” Chapman entered into a loving marriage with his current partner, Francie Frane, in 2021, following a heartfelt engagement in May 2020. This romantic commitment came just ten months after the untimely passing of his beloved wife, Beth Chapman, who lost her battle with throat cancer. Duane and Francie’s connection blossomed in the wake of their shared experiences of loss, as Francie also endured the heartache of losing her husband. Their love story is a testament to resilience and the healing power of companionship during times of grief.
Duane Chapman is a father to a total of 13 children, with 11 of those offspring being born from his marriages to Beth and four other women prior to her. Hollywood Life has compiled an extensive overview of Duane’s five marriages, detailing the vibrant tapestry of his romantic history alongside his relationship with Francie. Dive deeper into the lives of Dog The Bounty Hunter’s former spouses and discover the dynamics of his current marriage by reading further below.
Exploring the Life of La Fonda Sue Honeycutt, Duane’s First Wife
Duane’s inaugural marriage was to La Fonda Sue Honeycutt, a union that began in Texas on April 1, 1972, when Duane was just 19 and La Fonda was 20. Their marriage endured until October 27, 1977, when La Fonda decided to file for divorce after Duane faced serious legal troubles, being convicted of first-degree murder and subsequently sentenced to five years in a Texas prison. During their time together, Duane and La Fonda welcomed two sons into the world: Duane Lee Chapman Jr. and Leland Blane Chapman. After Duane’s release from prison, the boys lived with him and later made appearances on the popular reality series Dog the Bounty Hunter.
The Short-Lived Marriage of Duane Chapman and Anne M. Tegnell
Soon after Duane was released from prison on parole, he entered into a marriage with Anne Tegnell. This significant event occurred on August 22, 1979, in Colorado. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Zebadiah Chapman, on January 1, 1980, but tragically, Zebadiah passed away nearly a month later. They went on to have another child, Wesley Chapman, but eventually divorced. Interestingly, Duane and Anne briefly reunited, resulting in the birth of a third son, James Chapman, showcasing the complex nature of their relationship.
Lyssa Rae Brittain: Duane’s Third Marriage and Its Impact
Duane experienced his third marriage in 1982 with Lyssa Rae Brittain. The couple’s initial meeting occurred in a bar just days before they exchanged vows. In his 2007 autobiography You Can Run But You Can’t Hide, Duane claimed he offered Lyssa $1,000 to have his child, which she accepted. Throughout their nine-year marriage, they welcomed three children: a daughter named Barbara Katie Chapman, who sadly passed away at just 23 years old in a tragic car accident in 2006, along with a son, Tucker Dee Chapman, and another daughter, Lyssa Rae Chapman. During this time, Lyssa Rae also featured prominently in six seasons of her father’s A&E reality show, contributing to their family’s public persona.
The Marriage of Duane and Tawney Marie: A Tumultuous Relationship
Duane’s fourth marriage was to Tawney Marie. The two reportedly met in 1988 when Duane arrested her on drug possession charges, leading to her later employment as his secretary. Their marriage took place in 1992; however, they separated in 1994, leading to an official divorce eight years later. Duane candidly referred to this marriage as “a disaster from the start” in his autobiography, highlighting the challenges they faced together. Notably, they did not have any children during their tumultuous relationship.
The Lasting Legacy of Duane’s Marriage to Beth Smith
Duane’s most prominent and enduring marriage was to Beth Smith. Their relationship was marked by an on-and-off dynamic lasting nearly a decade before they finally wed on May 20, 2006, in Hawaii. Beth recounted in a 2011 interview with Rosie O’Donnell on The Rosie Show about their unusual meeting: “I was in jail and…I called him for a bond,” she revealed. Duane promptly posted her bond but sent it via bus, resulting in Beth spending an additional 12 hours in jail. Their marriage flourished, producing two children, Bonnie Joanne Chapman and Garry Chapman. Additionally, Duane adopted Beth’s daughter, Cecily Barmore-Chapman, from her previous marriage, expanding their family and deepening their bond.
Tragically, Beth passed away on June 26, 2019, at the age of 51 after a courageous two-year battle with stage II throat cancer. In the aftermath of her death, Duane has consistently honored Beth’s memory, particularly on poignant anniversaries. In May 2020, he reflected on what would have been their 14th wedding anniversary on Instagram with a touching tribute: “She said Big Daddy you’re going to be so sad when I am not here on our next anniversary; why did she have to be so right??” The post showcased a heartwarming image of the couple embracing, encapsulating their enduring love.
Finding New Love: Duane’s Relationship with Francie Frane
In the wake of Beth’s heartbreaking passing, Duane discovered love once more with Francie Frane, a rancher from Colorado. Their bond was forged from shared experiences of grief, as Duane had initially contacted Francie’s late husband Bob for landscaping work on their family property, only to learn that Bob had passed away shortly before Beth. “We hooked up on the phone and started talking to each other, crying and consoling each other. And then one thing led to another,” Duane recounted in May 2020. They began dating in the spring of that year, and by May, they had announced their engagement, illustrating how love can blossom even in the darkest of times.
As Duane embraced this new chapter, he also became a stepfather to Francie’s son, Gregory Zecca. In a tragic turn of events in July 2025, Duane faced unimaginable heartbreak when his stepson was involved in an accidental shooting that took the life of his teenage grandson, Anthony, in Naples, Florida, as reported by TMZ. Duane and Francie released a heartfelt statement expressing their grief: “We are grieving as a family over this incomprehensible tragic accident and would ask for continued prayers as we grieve the loss of our beloved grandson, Anthony.” This incident underscores the fragility of life and the strength of family bonds in times of sorrow.
Cameron Steel
Maya Kensington
