
Loni Anderson Wasn't 'Touched' by Her Ex for 3 Years Until She Met the Man She Was 'Meant to Be' With — Her Love Story
The television star's relationship with her third husband hogged headlines for years, and their split is reportedly considered one of the longest and nastiest divorces in Hollywood history.
Loni Anderson recently passed away, leaving behind two children and her spouse. She had been married four times in her lifetime.

Loni Anderson on the set of "WKRP in Cincinnati," 1973 | Source: Getty Images
Before finding the love that lasted until her passing, the actress was married to a co-star, and their relationship remained the talk of the town for several years.

Loni Anderson poses on the set of "WKRP in Cincinnati," 1973 | Source: Getty Images
Anderson's Rocky Marriage with Her Famous Ex
Anderson met Burt Reynolds during an appearance on a talk show. The pair hit it off, and she married the actor in 1988, marking her third marriage. That same year, they welcomed their son, Quinton Anderson Reynolds.

Loni Anderson and Burt Reynolds pictured on May 13, 1982 | Source: Getty Images
They were considered one of Hollywood's most glamorous couples at the time. However, the marriage was far from blissful, including their eventual split.

Loni Anderson and Burt Reynolds attend the Hollywood premiere of "City Heat," 1984 | Source: Getty Images
Anderson and Reynolds divorced in 1995, and their breakup was followed by public spats, including insults exchanged in print interviews and on television shows. The actress revealed at the time:
"There was pain. There was some abuse. There was drug addiction, on his part. There was always me trying to save it and feeling very empowered that I thought I could. And there was great love on my part."

Loni Anderson and Burt Reynolds arrive at the Nosotros Golden Eagle Awards on January 1, 1987 | Source: Getty Images
Reynolds also commented on their relationship dynamic several years later, stating that marrying her had been a mistake:
"I should have known that you don't marry an actress. That was a really dumb move on my part."

Burt Reynolds and Loni Anderson at Royal Palm Polo on March 15, 1987, in Boca Raton, Florida. | Source: Getty Images
The father of one detailed their troubles in his candid memoir, "But Enough About Me," revealing that Anderson overspent money unnecessarily:
"I gave her a platinum American Express card with a $45,000 credit limit. She maxed it out in half an hour."

Loni Anderson and Burt Reynolds during Friars Club Tribute to Liza Minnelli on April 5, 1987, in Century City, California. | Source: Getty Images
Reynolds added that their time together "wasn't lollipops and roses." Though they split in the 1990s, it took more than two decades to put their divorce fully behind them. Anderson later filed documents revealing that Reynolds had finally paid her the remaining balance on their divorce settlement.

Loni Anderson and Burt Reynolds attend the 17th Annual Nosotros Golden Eagle Awards on July 17, 1987, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
He had initially declared bankruptcy and eventually paid the money owed with interest, totaling $154,520. Their split remains considered one of the longest and nastiest in Hollywood history.

Burt Reynolds and Loni Anderson attend the Friars Club of California's 14th Annual Lifetime Achievement Award Salute to Burt Reynolds on March 28, 1993, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Although things did not work out between Reynolds and the mother of his son, Anderson ultimately found love again some years after they parted ways.

Loni Anderson and Burt Reynolds attend LaVern Baker's Opening Night Singing Engagement on September 8, 1992, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Anderson's Happily Ever After with Her Fourth Husband
It took 45 years for Anderson to find everlasting love. She married for the fourth time to folk singer Bob Flick, whom she had initially dated in 1963.

Loni Anderson poses for a portrait on January 1, 1970 | Source: Getty Images
Anderson and Flick first crossed paths at a movie premiere in Minneapolis. At the time, a local newspaper had sent her to pose with his band, the Brothers Four, which had hit No. 2 on the pop charts with "Greenfields" in 1960, as the "lucky young fan."

Brothers Four recording at CBS studios on August 24, 1966, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
The pair later wed in 2008 in a ceremony attended by friends and family. The bride's son walked her down the aisle. Years later, in a joint interview, Anderson reflected that she should have married Flick much earlier.

Loni Anderson and Bob Flick attend the Academy of Magical Arts Awards on April 5, 2008, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
The couple agreed they were destined to be together after reuniting decades after their initial romance. "It was so bizarre how we came back together from our beginning," the actress added.

Loni Anderson and Bob Flick attend the Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Annual Gala on November 14, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Before her marriages to Reynolds and Flick, Anderson had been married to actor Ross Bickell from 1971 to 1981. Her first marriage was to Bruce Hasselberg from 1964 to 1966, with whom she welcomed a daughter, Deidra Hoffman.

Ross Bickell and Loni Anderson pictured on January 1, 1981, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Hasselberg once recalled their whirlwind romance in an interview. He met Anderson when she was a Miss Minnesota contestant alongside his sister. He recounted:
"I went out with her after the Miss Minnesota pageant and I proposed the first night, and we were married four weeks and six days later."

Loni Anderson poses for a portrait on January 1, 2000, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
According to him, his son from a previous marriage asked if he really popped the question so soon after they met. Hasselberg replied, "'How many times do you get to go out with a Loni Anderson?'"

Loni Anderson arrives at the 17th Annual Race To Erase MS Gala on May 7, 2010, in Century City, California. | Source: Getty Images
Anderson, whose love life was eventful, sadly passed away at 79 on August 3, 2025, at a Los Angeles hospital. Her family shared in a statement:
"We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother."

Loni Anderson at Lifetime's holiday celebration on November 28, 2023, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
The "3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain" star's longtime publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan, revealed that she died following a prolonged illness.

Loni Anderson attends Asian World Film Festival Announces Competition Winners and Honorees at Closing Night on November 11, 2021, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Anderson famously played Jennifer Marlowe on the hit comedy "WKRP in Cincinnati." The role earned her two Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe nominations.

Loni Anderson attends a pre-Veterans Day tribute on November 4, 2021, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Anderson's journey through love and heartbreak spanned decades and captivated the public’s attention. Her high-profile marriage to Reynolds ended in turmoil, but she later found lasting happiness with Flick.

Loni Anderson attends the opening night gala screening of "Eternals" on November 1, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the turbulence in her personal life, Anderson's career remained a defining part of her legacy. Her passing marks the end of an era for fans who admired both her talent and resilience.