Most people know Tim Allen, the funny actor from Home Improvement, the voice of Buzz Lightyear, and the star of The Santa Clause movies.
But not many people know about Laura Deibel, the woman who stood by his side before the fame, the movies, and the red carpets. She was there when things were tough. She supported him during his hardest years — even before he became a star.
In this article, we’re going to talk about who Laura Deibel is, how she met Tim Allen, what their life was like together, and where she is now. So let’s get started.
Who Is Laura Deibel?
Laura Deibel is best known as Tim Allen’s first wife. She was married to him for many years, long before he became a big name in Hollywood.
She was born on November 12, 1956, in Omena, Michigan. As of 2026, she is 69 years old. Even though she was once in the spotlight, Laura has always been someone who loves privacy and peace.
She’s an American by nationality and studied at Western Michigan University. She lived a regular, quiet life before getting linked to a Hollywood star. Even today, she stays out of the public eye and lives a calm life away from cameras and fame.
Laura Deibel’s Early Life
Before all the fame and attention, Laura lived a very simple and normal life. She grew up in Michigan, in a small town where things moved slowly and quietly.
She went to Western Michigan University, where she worked hard and focused on her education. She wasn’t chasing fame or trying to be on TV. She just wanted a good life, a good job, and a happy future.
After college, she worked as a sales manager in an interior landscaping company. That means she helped manage plants and decorations for indoor spaces, like offices and malls. She enjoyed her work and was proud of her career.
Laura was smart, hardworking, and focused. She didn’t look for the spotlight — but life brought it to her later.
How Laura Met Tim Allen
Laura met Tim Allen when they were both very young. Some say they may have met in high school, but it’s clear they fell in love during college. Both of them were students at Western Michigan University.
At that time, Tim was not famous. He was just a regular guy trying to find his way. Laura believed in him even when he had nothing. They started dating, and slowly, their bond grew stronger.
One of the hardest times in Tim’s life was when he got arrested for drug possession. He was caught with over a pound of cocaine and was sent to prison for more than two years.
Many people would have walked away. But Laura stayed. She didn’t leave him. She waited, supported him, and stood by his side. That shows how loyal and strong she really was.
Laura Deibel’s Marriage to Tim Allen
After Tim Allen got out of prison, he wanted to rebuild his life. And Laura was still there, standing with him.
They got married on April 7, 1984, after dating for several years. This was long before Tim became a Hollywood star. In those early years, Laura supported him while he worked on small comedy shows, trying to make it big.
As Tim’s career started growing, things in their life began to change. He started getting more roles, and then came his big break — Home Improvement.
Laura gave up her full-time job to become a homemaker. She focused on their home, their life, and their future. She also later became the CEO of Tim Allen Signature Tools, a company that sold tools and supported children’s charities.
While the world saw a happy Hollywood couple, things were becoming harder behind the scenes.
Laura Deibel’s Becoming a Mother
In December 1989, Laura and Tim welcomed their only child, a daughter named Katherine Allen, often called Kady.
Laura was fully focused on raising Kady with love and care. She gave her daughter all her attention, especially while Tim was busy with shows, movies, and travel.
Most of the time, Laura was the one doing everything at home. From school to bedtime, she made sure Kady had a good and normal life. Tim was often away working, so Laura carried most of the parenting on her own.
Kady has always been private, just like her mother. She’s been seen a few times at events with Tim, like The Santa Clause 3 premiere and his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. But overall, she stays out of the spotlight.
Laura’s love for her daughter has always been deep and steady. Even after the divorce, she kept Kady close and gave her a life filled with care and calm.
Tim Allen’s Fame and Its Impact
As Tim Allen became more and more famous, their family life started to suffer. He was working all the time — filming shows, promoting movies, and traveling around the country.
Laura was often left alone at home, raising their daughter and trying to hold the family together. Fame came fast, but it also came with stress. The more success Tim got, the more distance grew between him and Laura.
In interviews, Tim admitted that he made mistakes. He said he “let his family slide” and didn’t give them enough time. That honesty came years later — but during the marriage, the damage was already happening.
Laura kept trying to make things work. But the late nights, long work trips, and emotional distance started to take a toll on her. And soon, their fights became more serious and harder to fix.
Laura Deibel’s Struggles in Marriage
As time passed, things between Laura and Tim became harder. Tim Allen was getting more roles, more attention, and more fame. But at home, Laura was still handling everything alone.
Tim also had a serious drinking problem. In 1998, he went to rehab to get help. Laura was already tired, and now, things were getting even heavier. Some reports also said that Tim may have been unfaithful during the marriage.
Even though Laura kept trying, the love and peace in their marriage slowly faded. They had more arguments, and the home didn’t feel happy anymore. It became clear that something had to change.
The Divorce Story
In 1999, after almost 15 years of marriage, Laura Deibel filed for divorce. She asked for legal separation first, and later, the divorce was finalized in 2003.
They had one child, so Laura asked for custody of their daughter Kady, who was 13 at the time. Tim Allen later admitted that he had not been there for his family. He said he made mistakes and was too focused on work.
Even after the divorce, Laura stayed calm and respectful. She even showed up at some of Tim’s charity events in later years. That shows how mature and kind she was, even after all the pain.
Her Role as CEO of Tim Allen Signature Tools
During their marriage, Laura took on a big role. She became the CEO of Tim Allen Signature Tools, a company that sold things like hammers and drills.
This company wasn’t just for business. It was also made to help raise money for children’s causes. Laura helped lead the company with care and purpose. She managed it while also looking after their home and child.
After the divorce, Laura stepped away from the company. But her work during that time helped the business grow and made a positive impact.
Where Is Laura Deibel Now?
After the divorce, Laura chose a quiet and simple life. She didn’t try to be in the news or follow Tim into fame. Instead, she went back to living the way she always liked — peaceful and private.
She is said to be living in Sherman Oaks, California, a calm place where many people enjoy privacy. She has not remarried and does not appear on social media.
Some say she returned to work as a sales manager, the same kind of job she had before becoming a CEO. Even though she was once married to a big Hollywood star, Laura never tried to chase the spotlight.
Laura Deibel’s Net Worth
People often wonder about her money today. As of 2026, Laura Deibel’s net worth is between $1 million and $1.5 million.
Most of that came from her divorce settlement with Tim Allen. But she also worked in her own career, both before and after the marriage. She earned money as a sales manager and helped lead a company that sold real tools.
Even though she could have chased fame or bigger paychecks, she never did. She always lived in a simple, smart, and stable way.
Final Thoughts
Laura Deibel may not be a Hollywood name, but her story is powerful. She stood by Tim Allen during his hardest years — through college, prison, addiction, and fame.
She was a loyal wife, a loving mom, and a strong woman who never asked for attention. When things became too hard, she walked away with grace — and never looked back.
Today, she lives quietly and happily. And even though she is not in the spotlight, Laura Deibel will always be remembered as the woman who helped build a star — and chose peace over fame.
(FAQs)
How old is Laura Deibel?
Laura Deibel was born on November 12, 1956. As of 2026, she is 69 years old.
Was Laura Deibel Tim Allen’s first wife?
Yes, Laura Deibel was Tim Allen’s first wife. They got married in 1984 and divorced in 2003.
Do Laura Deibel and Tim Allen have children?
Yes, they have one daughter named Katherine “Kady” Allen, born in December 1989.
Why did Laura Deibel and Tim Allen divorce?
They divorced because of Tim Allen’s busy Hollywood life, his drinking problems, and reports of emotional distance in the marriage.
Is Laura Deibel married now?
No, there are no public records showing that Laura Deibel remarried after her divorce from Tim Allen.
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