Where Are Dick Clark’s Wives Now?
What To Know
- Dick Clark was married three times: first to Barbara Mallery (1952–1961), then to Loretta Martin (1962–1971), and finally to Kari Wigton (1977–2012).
- Both Barbara Mallery and Loretta Martin lived private lives after their divorces from Clark, with little public information available about their later years.
- Kari Wigton, Clark’s third wife, was his partner for over 30 years, supported him through his health challenges, and is reportedly still alive today.
Dick Clark, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 82, was one of the most recognizable figures in American television, known for everything from his 40+ years hosting American Bandstand to his annual special, Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve, which was been airing for over 50 years.
Despite his high profile, Clark kept much of his personal life carefully out of the spotlight. Over the course of his life, Clark was married three times, and each relationship marked a different chapter of his off-camera world. Let’s learn what we can about each one of his wives and their lives together.
Barbara Mallery
Everett Collection
Barbara Mallery was Clark’s first wife; the two married in 1952, just as Clark’s broadcasting career was beginning to gain momentum. During their marriage, they welcomed one son, Richard A. Clark, and spent nearly a decade together before divorcing in 1961. After the divorce, Mallery lived largely out of the public eye, and little has been reported about her later years. She passed away in 2024, at the age of 93.
Loretta Martin
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Clark married his second wife, Loretta Martin, in 1962. Together, they had two children, Duane and Cindy, and were married throughout much of the ’60s, a period when Clark’s fame continued to rise. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1971. Like Mallery, Martin did not remain in the public spotlight after her marriage to Clark, so not much is known about her later life.
Kari Wigton
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Clark’s third and final marriage was to Kari Wigton, 80, whom he married in 1977. Their relationship lasted more than three decades, until Clark’s death in 2012, making it by far his longest marriage. Wigton, who worked at Dick Clark Productions before they married, became a steady presence by his side, particularly during his recovery from a stroke in 2004 and his later health challenges. She is reportedly still alive and is remembered as both Clark’s partner and his primary support during his final years, often seen with him during his appearances on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.
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