Laura Deibel is widely known as the first wife of famous actor and comedian Tim Allen, best recognized for Home Improvement, Toy Story, and The Santa Clause films. People search for Laura because she stood by Tim during the most difficult years of his life, long before he became a Hollywood star. She supported him through career uncertainty, financial struggles, and even his prison sentence, showing deep loyalty and strength. Despite being married to a world-famous actor, Laura always avoided the spotlight and preferred a private, calm life. Her story matters because she played an important, often overlooked role in Tim Allen’s early success and personal journey, shaping the foundation of his later achievements.
Laura Deibel Profile Summary
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Laura Deibel |
| Date of Birth | November 12, 1956 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 69 years old |
| Birthplace | Omena, Michigan, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Education | Western Michigan University |
| Profession | Former CEO, Sales Manager |
| Marital Status | Divorced (Tim Allen, m. 1984 – div. 2003) |
| Ex-Husband | Tim Allen (Actor & Comedian) |
| Daughter | Katherine “Kady” Allen |
| Known For | First wife of actor Tim Allen; supported him during his early career |
| Net Worth (Estimated) | $1 million – $1.5 million |
| Current Residence (Reported) | Sherman Oaks, California |
| Height | Not publicly known |
| Weight | Not publicly known |
| Social Media | None – prefers private life |
Early Life and Background
Laura Deibel was born on November 12, 1956, in Omena, Michigan, where she spent her early years in a quiet and supportive family environment. She grew up with strong Midwestern values, which later shaped her personality—humble, practical, and deeply loyal. After finishing school, she attended Western Michigan University, where she focused on her studies and lived a simple lifestyle. Before meeting Tim Allen, Laura worked as a sales manager for an interior landscaping company, showing that she was ambitious and hardworking even at a young age. Her natural preference for privacy and calmness stayed with her throughout her life, even during the years she was married to a rising Hollywood star.
How Laura Deibel Met Tim Allen
Laura Deibel and Tim Allen reportedly first met each other in high school, but their relationship truly began when they met again at Western Michigan University. They started dating during college, when Tim was still unsure about his future and had no plans of becoming an actor. Laura supported him from the very beginning, standing by him during years of uncertainty. Her loyalty was tested early when Tim was arrested for drug possession in 1978 and sentenced to over two years in prison. While many would have walked away, Laura stayed committed to him, waiting for him and offering emotional support during his lowest point. This difficult time strengthened their bond and proved her dedication long before fame arrived.
Marriage to Tim Allen and Life Together
Laura Deibel and Tim Allen married on April 7, 1984, after dating for nearly five years. After Tim was released from prison and started rebuilding his life, Laura continued to support him as he took small comedy gigs and struggled to establish a career in entertainment. When Tim landed Home Improvement in the early 1990s, fame and success came quickly, dramatically changing their lives. Laura became a full-time homemaker and eventually served as the CEO of Tim Allen Signature Tools, a charity-based company. Although they appeared to be a picture-perfect family in public, their marriage faced increasing pressure behind the scenes. Tim’s long work hours, growing fame, and constant travel created emotional distance, leaving Laura with most of the household responsibilities and childcare. Over time, the strain became too great for the relationship to handle.
Who is Tim Allen?
Tim Allen is an American actor, comedian, and producer best known for his role as Tim “The Toolman” Taylor on the hit TV show Home Improvement, which made him one of the most popular sitcom stars of the 1990s. He is also the voice behind Buzz Lightyear in Pixar’s Toy Story movies and starred as Scott Calvin in The Santa Clause film trilogy. Born on June 13, 1953, in Denver, Colorado, Tim began his career as a stand-up comedian before becoming a major television and movie actor. Over the years, he has built a successful entertainment career with family-friendly roles, strong comedic timing, and a recognizable voice. Despite personal struggles earlier in life, including legal issues and addiction, he rebuilt his career and remains a well-known figure in Hollywood.
Their Daughter – Katherine “Kady” Allen
Laura and Tim welcomed their daughter, Katherine “Kady” Allen, in December 1989. From the beginning, Laura was the primary caregiver, raising their daughter with love, stability, and strong values. Because Tim was frequently away for filming, stand-up shows, and promotional events, Laura played a central role in Kady’s upbringing. Although she grew up with a celebrity father, Katherine chose a private lifestyle similar to her mother’s. She has made a few public appearances with Tim at movie premieres and events, such as The Santa Clause 3 and his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2004, but she has never pursued fame or social media presence. Despite her parents’ separation, she maintains a good relationship with both.
Challenges in Marriage and Divorce
As Tim Allen’s fame rose, the challenges in his marriage to Laura became more visible. His demanding schedule created emotional distance, and Laura often found herself alone managing their home and raising their daughter. In 1998, Tim entered rehab for alcohol addiction, a struggle that placed further strain on their marriage. Reports of infidelity also surfaced during this period, causing deep hurt in the relationship. After years of trying to hold the marriage together, Laura filed for legal separation in 1999. Their divorce was finalized in 2003 after nearly 15 years of marriage. Laura received custody of their daughter, and although the separation was painful, both remained respectful toward each other afterward.
Laura Deibel’s Life After the Divorce
After the divorce, Laura Deibel stepped away from public life almost completely. She left her role at Tim Allen Signature Tools and returned to a quieter professional path, similar to the work she did before marrying Tim. Reports suggest that she lives in Sherman Oaks, California, where she maintains a peaceful and private lifestyle. She has no public social media accounts, does not appear in interviews, and has never attempted to use Tim’s fame for attention. There is no public information about her remarrying, and she seems content living a simple, well-balanced life away from Hollywood and media noise.
Laura Deibel’s Career and Professional Role
Before her marriage, Laura worked as a sales manager for an interior landscaping company, a role that involved customer management and operational planning. During her marriage to Tim, she became the CEO of Tim Allen Signature Tools, a company that produced tools to support charity work. In this position, she managed business decisions, partnerships, branding, and fundraising activities. The experience gave her strong skills in leadership and administration. After the divorce, she returned to a private professional life, choosing not to build a public career or business presence despite her previous executive experience.
Net Worth and Financial Standing
As of 2025, Laura Deibel’s estimated net worth is between $1 million and $1.5 million. Much of her financial stability comes from her divorce settlement with Tim Allen, along with her previous earnings as a sales manager and CEO of Tim Allen Signature Tools. Unlike individuals connected to Hollywood fame, Laura has never lived a flashy or extravagant lifestyle. She values simplicity and financial responsibility, which has allowed her to maintain a stable and comfortable life without depending on the entertainment industry.
Relationship With Tim Allen After Divorce
Even after their divorce, Laura and Tim Allen maintained a respectful relationship. They continued to co-parent their daughter with maturity and cooperation. Laura attended Tim’s charity events in 2006 and 2010, showing that she held no hostility toward him despite their past struggles. Their relationship today is distant but polite, centered mostly on their shared love for their daughter and their shared history.
Laura Deibel vs. Tim Allen’s Current Wife, Jane Hajduk
Tim Allen remarried in 2006 to actress Jane Hajduk after dating for five years. Unlike Laura, Jane has an active presence in Hollywood and occasionally appears on-screen. Jane and Tim have a daughter, Elizabeth Allen-Dick, born in 2009. The two wives represent very different lifestyles—Laura prefers privacy and simplicity, while Jane participates openly in Tim’s public career. Despite these differences, Laura has always handled her past with grace, never making public comments about Tim’s new life.
Public Perception and Media Presence
Fans remain curious about Laura because she was by Tim’s side during his toughest years—long before he became a global star. Her loyalty during his prison sentence and early struggles is often admired. However, Laura has never tried to be a public figure. There are very few photos of her, almost no interviews, and no media appearances. Her ability to maintain privacy for decades makes her one of the least-visible former spouses of a Hollywood actor, which only increases public curiosity about her.
Personality, Values, and Character
Laura Deibel is known for her calm, dependable, and loyal nature. She supported Tim through prison, addiction, and fame—moments that required patience and emotional strength. She values family, privacy, and dignity, showing that her priorities have always been stability and peace rather than fame or recognition. Her reserved personality and steady character helped shape the early years of Tim’s life, especially during his rise to stardom.
Myths and Lesser-Known Facts
There are several misconceptions about Laura Deibel. She was never part of Hollywood, nor did she work in the entertainment industry beyond managing Tim’s tool brand. Laura Deibel did not pursue fame or interviews even during her marriage. She did not remarry publicly after her divorce, choosing a private life instead. Many people are unaware of how much she supported Tim during his early struggles, as her contributions were largely hidden from the media.
Conclusion
Laura Deibel’s story is meaningful because it shows strength, loyalty, and resilience. She supported Tim Allen from his college years to his rise as a Hollywood star and stood by him through prison, addiction, and career challenges. Even after going through a painful divorce, she handled everything with dignity and remained focused on raising their daughter. Her life demonstrates that not every influential figure stands in the spotlight—some remain quietly in the background, shaping the lives of others with love, stability, and courage. Laura remains an important part of Tim Allen’s life story and a symbol of grace under pressure.
(FAQs)
1. Who is Laura Deibel?
Laura Deibel is best known as the first wife of actor Tim Allen, whom she supported long before he became famous. She stood by him through his struggles, including his prison sentence and early comedy career. Today, she lives a private life away from the spotlight.
2. How did Laura Deibel and Tim Allen meet?
Laura and Tim met while attending Western Michigan University, where they began dating as young college students. Their relationship grew strong during difficult times, especially during Tim’s legal troubles. She remained loyal and supportive even before his rise to fame.
3. Why did Laura Deibel and Tim Allen divorce?
Their marriage struggled due to Tim’s demanding work schedule, long filming hours, and growing fame. His alcohol issues and time spent away from home created emotional distance. Laura filed for separation in 1999, and the divorce was finalized in 2003.
4. Did Laura Deibel and Tim Allen have children?
Yes, they share one daughter, Katherine “Kady” Allen, born in 1989. Laura was the primary caregiver and raised her during Tim’s busy acting career. Kady remains private and avoids the public spotlight.
5. What did Laura Deibel do for a living?
Before marriage, she worked as a sales manager for an interior landscaping business. During her marriage, she became the CEO of Tim Allen Signature Tools, a company connected to Tim’s brand and charity work. After the divorce, she returned to a quiet professional life.
6. What is Laura Deibel’s net worth?
Laura Deibel’s estimated net worth ranges from $1 million to $1.5 million. Much of this comes from her divorce settlement with Tim Allen, along with her earlier work experience. She has always lived a modest and private lifestyle.
7. Where is Laura Deibel now?
Laura is believed to reside in Sherman Oaks, California, where she lives a peaceful and private life. She avoids media attention and public events. There is no public information indicating that she remarried.
8. Is Laura Deibel still connected to Tim Allen?
While they are no longer married, they remain respectful toward each other. They occasionally appeared at charity events together after the divorce and co-parented their daughter with maturity. Their connection today is limited but amicable.
