When people think about wrestling superstar Stone Cold Steve Austin, they remember his famous catchphrases, his tough personality, and his amazing matches. But behind every famous person, there are people who knew them before the fame started. Kathryn Burrhus is one of those people. She was Steve Austin’s first wife and his high school sweetheart. This article tells her story in simple words that anyone can understand.
Quick Bio
| Full Name | Kathryn Burrhus |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 29, 1952 |
| Place of Birth | Austin, Texas, USA |
| Age | 73 years old (as of 2025) |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous For | Being Steve Austin’s first wife |
| Marriage Date | November 24, 1990 |
| Divorce Date | August 7, 1992 |
| Children | None (with Steve Austin) |
| Current Status | Lives a private life |
| Net Worth | Estimated $200,000 – $1 million (not confirmed) |
Early Life: Growing Up in Texas
Kathryn Burrhus was born on August 29, 1952, in Austin, Texas. She grew up like many other children in Texas during that time. Her childhood was normal and quiet, far away from cameras and fame.
She went to school in her hometown and later attended high school in Edna, Texas. This is where her life would change forever because she met a young boy named Steve Williams. Yes, that was Steve Austin’s real name before he became famous.
People who knew Kathryn during her school years say she was a kind and caring person. She was a good student who valued her friends and family. She liked living a simple life and never wanted to be in the spotlight.
Meeting Steve Austin: A High School Love Story
Kathryn and Steve met when they were both teenagers at high school in Edna, Texas. Back then, Steve was not a wrestling star. He was just a regular boy who loved sports and dreamed of becoming a football player.
The two young people became friends first. They spent time together at school, talked about their dreams, and supported each other. Slowly, their friendship grew into something deeper. They fell in love.
Their relationship was sweet and real. They were there for each other during their teenage years and into their early adult lives. People who knew them said they seemed perfect together. They shared the same values and understood each other well.
Steve Austin was trying to find his way in life. First, he played football at college. But after some injuries and challenges, he had to give up his football dreams. That’s when he discovered wrestling. And through all these changes, Kathryn was by his side, giving him support and love.
Getting Married: Starting a Life Together
After dating for many years, Kathryn and Steve decided to get married. They had their wedding on November 24, 1990. It was a small ceremony in Texas, with their close friends and family there to celebrate with them.
When they got married, Steve was just starting his wrestling career. He was not famous yet. He was working hard, traveling to different cities, and trying to make a name for himself in the wrestling world. Life was not easy for them during this time.
Steve was training hard every day. He had to go to many wrestling matches in different places. This meant he was away from home a lot. For Kathryn, this was difficult. She had to stay home while her husband traveled and worked long hours.
But Kathryn believed in Steve’s dreams. She knew he wanted to become successful, and she tried her best to support him. She kept their home life calm and stable while Steve focused on his wrestling career.
The Challenges: When Things Got Hard
Marriage is not always easy, and Kathryn and Steve’s marriage faced many problems. The biggest problem was Steve’s wrestling career. Being a professional wrestler means traveling all the time. Steve had to be away from home for days or even weeks.
When someone is away from home so much, it becomes hard to keep a relationship strong. Kathryn and Steve had less time to spend together. They could not go on dates or enjoy simple moments like other couples. The distance between them grew bigger.
Steve was also under a lot of stress. He was working very hard to succeed in wrestling. This stress affected their relationship too. When people are tired and stressed, they sometimes don’t have enough energy to take care of their relationships.
There were also rumors about other problems. Some people say that Steve became close to another woman named Jeanie Clarke (also known as Lady Blossom), who worked in wrestling too. This may have caused more trouble in their marriage, but the exact details have never been confirmed by either Kathryn or Steve.
Whatever the reasons were, it became clear that their marriage was not working anymore. They tried to make it work, but sometimes love is not enough when life becomes too difficult.
The Divorce: Going Separate Ways
After less than two years of marriage, Kathryn and Steve decided to divorce. Their marriage officially ended on August 7, 1992. This must have been a sad and hard time for both of them.
Divorce is never easy, especially when you once loved someone so much. For Kathryn, it meant saying goodbye to someone she had known since her teenage years. For Steve, it meant ending his first marriage as his career was just beginning to take off.
The divorce happened quietly. Unlike many celebrity divorces, there was no public drama or fighting. Both Kathryn and Steve kept the details private. They did not talk to newspapers or magazines about what went wrong.
At the time of their divorce, Steve was in Japan working on his wrestling career. Soon after the divorce, he married Jeanie Clarke on December 18, 1992, which was also his 28th birthday. This shows that Steve had already moved on to another relationship.
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Who is Steve Austin? Understanding the Man She Married
To understand Kathryn’s story, we need to know more about Steve Austin and who he became after their marriage ended.
Steve Austin, whose birth name was Steven James Anderson, was born on December 18, 1964. He grew up in Edna, Texas, and loved playing football. He played football in college but had to stop because of injuries.
After giving up football, Steve decided to try wrestling. He started his wrestling career in 1989. At first, he used different names like “Stunning Steve Austin” and “The Ringmaster.” He worked for different wrestling companies, trying to find success.
His big break came in the mid-1990s when he joined WWE (which was called WWF back then). He changed his image completely. He shaved his head, grew a beard, and became “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. This new character was tough, rebellious, and didn’t care what anyone thought.
Stone Cold Steve Austin became one of the biggest wrestling stars in history. He was famous during the “Attitude Era” of wrestling in the late 1990s and early 2000s. His catchphrase “Austin 3:16” became legendary. Millions of people around the world loved watching him.
He won many championships and had famous matches against wrestlers like The Rock, Vince McMahon, and Bret Hart. He became so popular that he was not just a wrestling star but a cultural icon. He appeared in movies, TV shows, and commercials.
Steve retired from wrestling in 2003 because of injuries to his neck and knees. But he continued to stay famous by hosting podcasts, reality shows, and making special appearances. Today, he is considered one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
All of this success came after his marriage to Kathryn ended. She knew him when he was just starting out, when he was still trying to find his way. She was there during the hard times, before the money and fame arrived.
Does Kathryn Have Children?
Kathryn and Steve did not have any children together during their marriage. Their relationship ended before they started a family.
After Kathryn, Steve married Jeanie Clarke and had two daughters with her: Stephanie (born in 1992) and Cassidy (born in 1996). He also adopted Jeanie’s daughter Jade from her previous relationship. Steve has talked about how he was not the best father because he was so focused on his wrestling career. But in recent years, he has worked on building better relationships with his daughters.
As for Kathryn, there is no public information about whether she had children later in life with someone else or chose to remain single. She has kept her personal life completely private.
Life After Divorce: Choosing Privacy Over Fame
After divorcing Steve Austin, Kathryn made a very unusual choice, especially for someone connected to a celebrity. She decided to completely disappear from public life. She did not try to become famous because of her connection to Steve Austin. She did not give interviews to magazines or appear on TV shows. She did not write a book about her life with Steve.
This choice makes Kathryn very different from many other people who were married to celebrities. Many people in her situation try to use their connection to become famous themselves. But Kathryn wanted the opposite. She wanted privacy and peace.
Since 1992, there have been almost no photos or public information about Kathryn. She does not have social media accounts like Instagram or Facebook. She does not attend public events or wrestling shows. It’s like she chose to live a completely normal life away from cameras and attention.
Some people believe Kathryn might have stayed in Texas and possibly worked in local businesses or community work. But none of this information has been confirmed because she has never spoken publicly about her life.
Her choice to stay private shows her strong character. It shows that not everyone wants to be famous. Some people value peace, privacy, and living life on their own terms more than money or attention.
Career and Net Worth: What Does She Do?
One of the biggest mysteries about Kathryn Burrhus is what she does for work. There is no confirmed information about her career or job. Unlike many celebrity ex-wives who work in entertainment, modeling, or business, Kathryn has kept her professional life completely secret.
Some people guess that she might have worked in local businesses in Texas. Others think she might have done community work or charity activities. But these are just guesses because Kathryn has never shared this information publicly.
As for her net worth, no one knows for sure. Some websites estimate that she might have between $200,000 and $1 million, but these numbers are just guesses. There is no confirmed information about whether she received money from her divorce with Steve Austin or how she makes her living.
What we do know is that Kathryn has never tried to make money from her connection to Steve Austin. She has not sold stories to newspapers or written books. She has not done interviews for money. This shows that she values her privacy more than money.
Her Role in Steve Austin’s Life and Legacy
Even though Kathryn and Steve were only married for less than two years, she played an important role in his life. She was there during a very important time when Steve was just starting his wrestling career.
When they got married in 1990, Steve was nobody famous. He was just a young man with big dreams who was working hard to succeed. Kathryn supported him during this difficult time. She believed in him when success was not guaranteed. She was there before the money, before the fame, before the crowds of fans.
This period of Steve’s life was very important because it shaped who he would become. The struggles he faced during these early years, including the end of his first marriage, helped him develop the tough, determined character that made him famous.
In his later interviews and autobiography, Steve Austin has sometimes mentioned this period of his life, though he has always been respectful about keeping personal details private. He has acknowledged that his focus on his career affected his relationships, and this first marriage was one of those sacrifices he made on his way to becoming a wrestling superstar.
For wrestling fans and historians, Kathryn represents the “before” part of Steve Austin’s story. She knew the man before he became “Stone Cold.” She knew Steve Williams before he became Stone Cold Steve Austin. This makes her story significant in understanding the complete picture of his life.
Current Life: Where is She Now?
As of 2025, Kathryn Burrhus is 73 years old. But where she lives and what she does remain a complete mystery. There have been no confirmed sightings, interviews, or public appearances in over 30 years.
Some people believe she still lives somewhere in Texas, the state where she was born and raised. Texas is a big state with many cities and small towns where someone could easily live a private life. But this is just a guess.
The fact that Kathryn has successfully kept her life private for so long is actually quite amazing in today’s world. We live in a time where almost everything is shared online. People post photos of their meals, their vacations, and their daily lives on social media. Finding someone’s information online is usually very easy.
But Kathryn has somehow managed to stay completely off the radar. This takes real dedication to privacy. It means she has carefully chosen to not participate in the modern digital world where everyone shares everything.
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What We Can Learn From Kathryn’s Story
Kathryn Burrhus’s life teaches us several important lessons:
1. Not Everyone Wants to Be Famous
In a world where many people chase fame and attention, Kathryn shows us that some people prefer peace and privacy. She could have easily become famous by telling her story or appearing on TV shows. But she chose a quiet life instead. This reminds us that fame is not important to everyone.
2. You Can Set Your Own Boundaries
Kathryn set very strong boundaries to protect her privacy. Even though people were curious about her, she never gave in to pressure to share her story. This teaches us that we have the right to decide what parts of our lives we share with others.
3. Relationships Can End, But Life Goes On
Kathryn’s divorce from Steve Austin was surely painful, but she moved forward with her life. She did not let this difficult experience define her entire life. This shows us that even when relationships end, we can still build a good life for ourselves.
4. Supporting Others’ Dreams Takes Sacrifice
During their marriage, Kathryn supported Steve’s wrestling dreams even though it meant spending time apart and dealing with difficult situations. This reminds us that supporting someone we love sometimes requires sacrifice, even if things don’t work out the way we hoped.
5. The Past is Part of the Story
Even though Kathryn and Steve divorced over 30 years ago, she remains part of his life story. She was there during an important chapter, and that will always be true. This teaches us that everyone we meet and spend time with becomes part of our story, even if they don’t stay in our lives forever.
Conclusion: A Life Lived on Her Own Terms
Kathryn Burrhus may be known as “Steve Austin’s first wife,” but her story is about much more than that simple label. It’s about a woman who fell in love as a teenager, supported her husband’s dreams, faced the pain of divorce, and then made the brave choice to live life on her own terms.
In an age where privacy is rare and fame seems to be what everyone wants, Kathryn’s choice to disappear from public life is remarkable. She shows us that there is strength in choosing privacy over publicity, peace over attention, and personal happiness over money or fame.
We may never know the full details of Kathryn’s life after 1992. We don’t know if she remarried, had children, built a successful career, or simply enjoyed a quiet life in her home state of Texas. And perhaps that’s exactly how she wants it.
Her story reminds us that behind every famous person are real people who loved them, supported them, and shared important moments with them before the world knew their name. Kathryn Burrhus was there before Stone Cold Steve Austin existed. She knew Steve Williams, the young man with dreams.
While Steve Austin went on to become one of the most famous wrestlers in history, Kathryn chose a different path. And in that choice, she found something that fame can never guarantee: complete control over her own life and story.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kathryn Burrhus
1. When did Kathryn Burrhus marry Steve Austin?
Kathryn Burrhus married Steve Austin on November 24, 1990. They had known each other since high school and dated for many years before getting married.
2. How long were Kathryn and Steve Austin married?
Their marriage lasted less than two years. They divorced on August 7, 1992. The main reason was the pressure from Steve’s growing wrestling career and the time they had to spend apart.
3. Did Kathryn Burrhus have children with Steve Austin?
No, Kathryn and Steve did not have any children together during their marriage. Steve later had children with his second wife, Jeanie Clarke.
4. What does Kathryn Burrhus do for a living?
Nobody knows for sure. Kathryn has kept her career and professional life completely private. There is no confirmed information about what she does for work.
5. How old is Kathryn Burrhus now?
As of 2025, Kathryn is 73 years old. She was born on August 29, 1952, in Austin, Texas.
6. Where does Kathryn Burrhus live now?
Her current location is unknown. Some people believe she might still live in Texas, but this has never been confirmed. She has successfully kept her location private.
7. Why did Kathryn and Steve Austin divorce?
The exact reasons have never been publicly confirmed by either of them. However, the main challenges were Steve’s demanding wrestling career that kept him away from home, and rumors suggest he may have started a relationship with someone else before the divorce.
8. What is Kathryn Burrhus’s net worth?
Her exact net worth is unknown. Some sources estimate it might be between $200,000 and $1 million, but these are just guesses with no confirmed information.
9. Does Kathryn Burrhus have social media accounts?
No, Kathryn does not have any known social media accounts. She has chosen to stay completely away from public platforms and maintain her privacy.
10. Has Kathryn Burrhus ever spoken publicly about Steve Austin?
No, Kathryn has never given any public interviews, written books, or made statements about her marriage to Steve Austin. She has maintained complete silence about her past relationship, respecting both her own privacy and his.
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