Tawny Marie Chapman Worked as Duane Chapman's Secretary before Their Marriage

Once married to Duane Chapman, Tawny Marie Chapman played a significant role in his personal and professional life. Although their marriage was relatively short-lived, it was marked by turbulence.

Duane Chapman has been married multiple times, each contributing unique chapters to his life story. One particularly intriguing union that sparked public interest was his marriage to Tawny Marie Chapman.

Tawny's life drastically changed when she found herself in legal trouble. However, her story took an interesting turn when she crossed paths with Duane.

Tawny Worked with Duane and Pressured Her into Marriage

Duane Chapman first met Tawny in 1988 when he arrested her on a warrant for substance possession. They met again in 1991 when Tracy entered his office, but her future husband didn't recognize her.

Tawny, who gained much weight after the arrest, told him that he owed her a job. This opportunity was perfect for the reality star since he needed someone with bookkeeping experience, which she had. He hired Tawny as his secretary.

However, an unexpected affair developed between them, with Duane expressing regret for becoming involved with his secretary. He told Tawny he wanted them to be friends, but she decided to move in with him. In his book "You Can Run But You Can't Hide," he recalled:

"All my children liked Tawny and didn't have a problem with her moving in."

Tawny had chosen to live with the renowned bounty hunter after realizing his kids needed a mother figure. At the time, he was a single father raising his children independently.

Over the years, Duane entered into five marriages, resulting in children from each union.

Shortly after moving into his home, Tawny coerced him into marrying her. She threatened to involve the media and expose that he was sleeping with his secretary to the Denver community if he didn't obey her.

Duane had reservations about marrying her, but he eventually agreed, given that his kids had grown fond of Tawny. However, just two months after tying the knot, Tawny reverted to her old behavior and habits.

Despite their seemingly crumbling marriage, Tawny's husband formed a secret relationship with Beth Chapman, who, coincidentally, was both Tawny's closest friend and her worst enemy and also in a relationship at the time.

The Marriage Left Tawny's Husband Unfulfilled

Duane's book also delved into his divorce from Tawny. Their marriage eventually fell apart within a year. While Tawny's ex-spouse still had a home in Denver, he relocated all his children to Hawaii, candidly acknowledging his unhappiness with their marriage.

When they argued, he would turn to drink and sometimes cheat on Tawny. He said their union had been rocky for a long time, and they eventually decided it was best for them to separate, and this happened officially in 1994.

Amid their split, the TV star was going through a tough time, especially after losing his mother, Barbara Chapman. Tawny was the one who revealed to the TV personality that her mom had died.

Duane's Kids Fondly Referred to Tawny as Their 'Mom'

Tawny and her ex-husband did not have children together. Nevertheless, her former partner is the father of 13 children from six different relationships. His journey as a father began in 1972 with the birth of his first child, Christopher Michael Hecht, from a previous relationship with Debbie White.

Over the years, Tawny's ex-spouse entered into five marriages, resulting in children from each union. His first marriage to La Fonda Sue Darnall gave him two sons, Duane Lee II and Leland Blane Chapman. After their separation, he married Ann Tegnell in 1979, welcoming three more children: Zebidiah, Wesley, and James Robert Chapman.

In 1982, Duane's marriage to Lyssa Rae Brittain expanded his family, welcoming Barbara Katie, Tucker Dee, and Lyssa Rae Chapman. His most notable marriage was to Beth in 2006, which brought Bonnie Joanne and Garry Chapman into their lives before Beth died in 2019 following a throat cancer diagnosis.

Despite the absence of biological children with Tawny, Duane's children from his previous relationships have affectionately referred to her as "Mom." In June 2022, Duane also revealed the existence of his secret son named Jon, his 13th child, on the fourth anniversary of Beth's passing.