Who Is Laura Deibel? The Private Life of Tim Allen’s First Wife

Jack writer
10 Min Read
Tim Allen and Laura Deibel

Laura Deibel is the first wife of American actor and comedian Tim Allen. She married him on April 7, 1984, years before his rise to fame, and their marriage ended in divorce in 2003. The couple share one daughter, Katherine “Kady” Allen, born in December 1989.

She became publicly known because her marriage took place before Tim Allen’s rise to fame through Home Improvement, Toy Story, and The Santa Clause. However, she has remained a private person, and most public information about her focuses on her relationship with Allen and their family history.

Quick Facts

DetailInformation
Full NameLaura Deibel
Known ForTim Allen’s first wife
Birth Year1956
BirthplaceMichigan, United States
EducationWestern Michigan University
Married ToTim Allen (1984–2003)
ChildrenKatherine “Kady” Allen (born December 1989)
Public ProfilePrivate, no verified public presence

Early Life and Background

Public information about her early life is limited.

She was born in 1956 in Michigan, United States. However, detailed information about her childhood, parents, and early schooling is not widely documented in reliable public sources.

Education

She attended Western Michigan University.

This is the most widely confirmed part of her early background and is also where she met Tim Allen during the 1970s.

How She Met Tim Allen

She met Tim Allen, whose full name is Timothy Alan Dick, while both were studying at Western Michigan University.

At that time, Allen was not yet a public figure. He was working toward a career in comedy and entertainment.

During the early 1980s, when he was performing small stand-up shows in Michigan comedy clubs and earning modest pay per appearance, she regularly attended his performances. Those who knew them have shared that she consistently supported his efforts during those early struggling years.

Tim Allen was arrested in 1978 on drug-related charges and later served time in federal prison. Public records confirm that he was released in the early 1980s and returned to stand-up comedy. She remained part of his life during that period.

Marriage to Tim Allen (1984–2003)

She and Tim Allen married on April 7, 1984.

Their marriage began years before Allen became widely famous. His career breakthrough came in 1991 when Home Improvement premiered and quickly became one of the most popular sitcoms of the decade.

Allen later became globally recognized for voicing Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story and for starring in The Santa Clause films.

During these years, she did not pursue media attention and did not become a public celebrity herself.

Daughter

She and Tim Allen have one daughter, Katherine “Kady” Allen, born in December 1989.

Katherine has occasionally appeared in public with her father but has generally maintained a private lifestyle.

After the divorce, both parents continued co-parenting. Tim Allen has spoken publicly in later interviews about balancing family life and work during the height of his career.

Separation and Divorce

The couple legally separated in 1999. Their divorce was finalized in 2003.

Public reporting at the time connected the separation to the pressures that often come with a demanding entertainment career. Tim Allen has also acknowledged in interviews that he became highly focused on work during that period.

She did not publicly comment on the divorce.

Although their marriage ended, reports suggest that they remained on respectful terms in the years that followed. They were seen together at select charity events connected to shared causes, indicating that their relationship shifted into a civil and cooperative dynamic, especially in matters involving their daughter.

Career and Professional Life

Before and during the early years of her marriage, she worked in sales roles.

Some public reports mention her involvement in business ventures connected to Tim Allen’s brand. She was also reported to have supported charitable activities connected to his foundation, helping organize fundraising events focused on children’s causes. However, detailed and verifiable documentation about specific titles or executive positions is limited.

After the divorce, she did not pursue a public-facing career and has remained out of media coverage.

There is no verified record of her working in film, television, or the entertainment industry.

Today

Tim Allen with daughter Katherine “Kady” Allen at a public event
Tim Allen with his daughter Katherine “Kady” Allen.

She keeps a low public profile and does not regularly appear in media coverage.

She does not have verified public social media accounts and rarely appears in interviews or public events.

Details about her current residence, employment, or personal relationships are not publicly confirmed.

Timeline

  • 1970s – Meets Tim Allen at Western Michigan University
  • 1978 – Allen arrested; later serves prison sentence
  • 1984 – Marriage
  • December 1989 – Birth of their daughter, Katherine “Kady” Allen.

  • 1991 – Home Improvement premieres
  • 1995 – Toy Story releases (Buzz Lightyear role)
  • 1999 – Legal separation
  • 2003 – Divorce finalized

Why People Still Search for Laura Deibel

Media coverage of Tim Allen’s career has also influenced public curiosity. As Allen has spoken about his early struggles and rise to fame, many people naturally become interested in the private part of his life that existed before Hollywood success. Because she has stayed out of interviews and public attention, interest in her name continues through that connection.

Search interest is usually linked to questions like:

  • Who is Laura Deibel?
  • Who was Tim Allen’s first wife?
  • Laura Deibel Tim Allen wife
  • Laura Deibel daughter
  • Laura Deibel today

Because she has remained private, most available information focuses on confirmed facts from her marriage and family timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Laura Deibel?

She is publicly recognized due to her former marriage to actor Tim Allen. They were married from 1984 until their divorce was finalized in 2003. They share one daughter.

Is Laura Deibel Tim Allen’s first wife?

Yes. She was Tim Allen’s first wife.

What date did Tim Allen marry Laura Deibel?

They married on April 7, 1984.

When did Laura Deibel and Tim Allen divorce?

Their divorce was finalized in 2003 after legally separating in 1999.

How long were they married?

They were married for nearly 19 years, from 1984 to 2003.

How did they meet?

They met while attending Western Michigan University in the 1970s.

Do they have children?

Yes. They have one daughter, Katherine “Kady” Allen, born in December 1989.

What is she known for?

She is mainly known for being Tim Allen’s first wife and the mother of his eldest child.

Is she an actress?

No. There is no verified record of her working as an actress or in the entertainment industry.

What is known about her today?

She keeps a low public profile. She does not appear regularly in the media, and most details about her current life are not publicly confirmed.

Does she have social media?

There are no verified public social media accounts connected to her.

Why is there limited information about her?

There is limited information because she has chosen to stay private and has not participated in interviews or public media coverage.

Conclusion

Laura Deibel is best known as Tim Allen’s first wife and the mother of their daughter, Katherine “Kady” Allen. She married Allen in 1984, years before his major rise to fame, and their marriage ended in divorce in 2003.

After the divorce, she stepped away from public attention and did not pursue media visibility. Because she has maintained a private life, most publicly available information about her remains focused on her marriage, family timeline, and her connection to Tim Allen’s early career years.

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Jack writes celebrity biographies and public figure articles for illimited.co.uk. His content is based on publicly available information, verified reports, and trusted media sources.