Laura Dyer: From First Love to First Wife – Accompanying Tim Allen from Drug Arrest to Hollywood, Was She Abandoned by Tim Allen?
Long before Tim Allen became the voice behind everyone’s favorite space ranger, Buzz Lightyear, there was Laura Deibel. She knew him before the fame, the fortune, and the Hollywood dazzles.
Back when Tim was just a struggling comedian with a dream, Laura was by his side. She supported him and held things together through all the highs and lows of his life.
Although their marriage didn’t last, Laura’s role in Tim’s life remains undeniable. So, what’s life been like for the woman who knew him best? Let’s take a look at Laura Deibel’s journey before, with, and after Tim Allen.
Laura Deibel: Personal Profile
Most people know Laura Deiber as Tim Allen’s first wife, but there’s more to her than just that. From her early life to what she’s been up to after the split, her story is all about staying strong, even when things got tough.
Before we get to the little details of Laura’s life, here’s a quick glance at some of her personal info:
- Full Name: Laura Deibel
- Date of Birth: November 12, 1956
- Place of Birth: Omena, Michigan
- Education: Western Michigan University
- Profession: Former business executive and CEO of Tim Allen Signature Tools
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Ex-Spouse: Tim Allen (m. 1984, d. 2003)
- Children: One daughter (Katherine “Kady” Allen)
- Net Worth: $1 to $1.5 million
- Current Residence: Sherman Oaks, California
Laura Deibel: Early Life and Education
Laura Deibel was born on 12 November 1956 in a small Michigan town called Omena. Most details about the family she grew up with and the school she attended are private. Yet, what we know is that she studied at Western Michigan University as a young adult.
In fact, it was during her time there that she met Tim Allen, who would later become her husband and one of the most recognized figures in Hollywood. So, it’s a typical case of college sweethearts getting married in the future.
Image source: Google
Laura Deibel: Career and Professional Life
Laura’s professional life evolved along with the different stages of her relationship with Tim. Before marrying him, she had a career working as a sales manager for an interior landscaping company.
However, as Tim’s career in stand-up comedy and television started to gain momentum, Laura decided to step back a little. As a result, she dedicated her time to being a homemaker and focusing on her family as well as her husband’s growing fame.
Image source: Google
Over time, Laura transitioned into playing an essential role in her family’s business affairs. She became the CEO of Tim Allen Signature Tools, a company that produces home improvement tools like hammers and drills.
Despite the challenges of balancing work and family life, Laura was able to maintain support for her husband and his early success. Fast forward to after the divorce: Laura left her position in the family business and chose to lead a private life focused on family.
Laura Deibel: Marriage to Tim Allen
Laura Deibel’s marriage to Tim Allen began as a beautiful love story during their time studying at Western Michigan University. After several years together, the couple tied the knot in April 1984. This was well before Tim became a household name through his work in comedy and television.
In the early years of Tim and Laura’s marriage, life wasn’t easy. Tim was still finding his way as a comedian, and Laura worked hard to support him through his struggles in stand-up comedy.
In 1989, the couple welcomed their daughter, Katherine “Kady” Allen. This added extra responsibilities to Laura’s already stressful life.
As Tim’s career started to take off, his life and relationship with Laura became more complicated. That was especially around the time when Tim’s show, “Home Improvement,” started to become successful in the early 1990s.
Image source: Google
Over time, Tim’s career demands and personal struggles, including his battles with alcohol abuse, started to take a toll on his marriage. He would spend most of his time rehearsing for his show and was barely present in his family’s life.
In 1999, the couple decided to part ways. Later on, their divorce was finalized in 2003, after spending nearly two decades together. That said, they now have shared custody of their daughter.
Laura Deibel: Handling Tim Allen’s Substance and Alcohol Abuse Issues
Laura Deibel supported Tim Allen through some tough times, including his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. Before their marriage, Tim had serious issues with substance abuse. He even served two years in prison for cocaine possession in the 1970s.
Image source: Google
As Tim’s career started to take off, the pressure of fame made things even harder for him. His drinking became a problem that added stress to his relationship with Laura. In 1998, he decided to go to rehab for alcohol addiction to get the help he needed.
Recalling those times, Tim confessed how his addiction issues affected his marriage and family. He stated, “I’m not the same guy I was the first time I was married when I was hiding and doing what people who drink too much do. I was not connecting.”
However, even with the support Laura offered, the strain from Tim’s disconnection was so strong that it ended their marriage.
Laura Deibel: Life After Divorce
After finalizing her divorce from Tim Allen in 2003, Laura chose to step away from the public eye and live a private life with her daughter. She even left her position as the CEO of Tim Allen Signature Tools to go back to her old career as a sales manager.
Reportedly, Laura now embraces a quieter lifestyle, residing in Sherman Oaks, California. She never remarried and also managed to avoid media attention, with no active presence on any of the social media platforms.
Despite that, Laura continued to help run Tim’s charitable foundation. In 2006, she was spotted attending one of the foundation’s major fundraisers, the “Comedy For Kids: Friends of Tim Allen 39th Annual Fundraiser.”
Image source: Google
Four years after that, Laura made another public appearance. It was at the 18th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar Party, where she accompanied Tim Allen and their daughter, Katherine.
Laura Deibel and Tim Allen’s Daughter
Katherine “Kady” Allen, born in 1989, is the eldest daughter of Tim Allen and his first wife, Laura Deibel. Unlike her father and younger half-sister, Elizabeth Allen Dick, she’s chosen to live a private life away from the spotlight.
Image source: Google
She occasionally makes appearances at events with her family, like the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2004 and the “Toy Story 4” premiere in 2019. Yet, she generally avoids media attention and doesn’t maintain any public social media presence.
Tim Allen has openly admitted that, due to his busy career, he failed to be as present as he wanted to be in Katherine’s childhood. He’s expressed regret about missing moments with her and said he tried to fix that with his younger daughter.
Overall, Katherine reportedly now has a close bond with her half-sister Elizabeth as well as her stepmother, Jane Hajduk.
Laura Deibel: Net Worth
Laura’s estimated net worth is between $1 and $1.5 million. A large part of her wealth comes from her divorce settlement with Tim Allen, who was at the time enjoying success with projects like “Home Improvement” and “Toy Story.”
During their time together, Laura must have also made decent money, serving as the CEO of Tim Allen Signature Tools.
