Kelly Anne Welbes Abagnale: Frank Abagnale’s Wife, Whose Husband’s Conman Life Was Portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio on Screen

I bet you’d agree that Leonardo DiCaprio is phenomenal as the charismatic crook Frank Abagnale Jr. in Catch Me If You Can.

In real life, the person behind the character is more than a con artist. Yes, he’s a convicted felon, but he turned his life around, thanks to his wife, Kelly Anne Welbes Abagnale.

Frank has five books under his name, all inspired by his life of crime. The blockbuster film only added to his notoriety.

But this article isn’t about him. It’s about the woman who captured his heart and changed him, so let’s dive in.

Who Is Kelly Anne Welbes Abagnale?

Kelly Anne Welbes Abagnale has been snapped a few times with her husband, supporting projects about him. But even though she’s linked to a widely known figure, she’s kept her life private.

My online digging did uncover some tidbits about her childhood and education.

The word is Kelly Anne Welbes Abagnale was born on June 26, 1954, in Galveston, Texas. Her parents are Louis Andrew Welbes and Maxine Cecila Rust, and she has two older brothers, Tim and Robert.

Kelly Anne attended Waltrip High School, where she was a part of the women’s tennis team. She has a master’s in child psychology.

Career

Although Frank did confirm in an interview that Kelly Anne has a background in child psychology, it’s unclear whether she actually pursued a career in the field. There are conflicting reports about her occupation, too.

Some suggest she might have worked at an orphanage. Another version claims she was a cashier in a grocery store. Well, it’s possible she did both.

She hasn’t publicly addressed these speculations, though.

At 69, Kelly Anne is presently a dedicated mother and homemaker.

Marriage to Frank Abagnale

In case you’re wondering if Kelly Anne made it to the movie, she didn’t. Her story with Frank began after he returned to the right side of the law.

So, how did their paths cross?

Kelly Anne was writing her master’s thesis when she met Frank, posing as a social worker for an FBI assignment. After his mission was over, a smitten Frank couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her.

It was out of character for Frank to stay longer in one place than his job required. Also unusual was revealing his true identity to anyone. He had once been betrayed by a flight attendant he dated while pretending to be an airline pilot, and it led to his arrest.

Plus, it was a breach of protocol.

Long story short, Frank confessed to Kelly Anne about his undercover work and, eventually, his criminal past. Kelly Anne was merely amused that he was a federal agent. The only problem was that her parents had already met Frank under a different identity.

Ultimately, he had to tell Kelly Anne’s family everything. It was a difficult revelation to her parents, but in the end, things worked out for the pair.

A year later, on November 6, 1976, Kelly Anne, then 22, married the 28-year-old Frank.

Family Life

Kelly and Frank’s union has been blessed with three sons. The family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1985 and stayed there for 25 years.

Their marriage isn’t without hardships. In 1995, the couple hit some financial bumps and filed for bankruptcy, with only $300 to their name and a $1.6 million debt.

In 2002, the film adaptation of Frank’s memoir, Catch Me If You Can, hit the big screen, throwing Frank and Kelly in the spotlight. But Frank didn’t earn a cent from the film; he had already cashed in when he sold the book rights to his publisher, Grosset & Dunlap.

The fame it brought him, on the other hand, was worth it.

Before filming, Leonardo DiCaprio invited Frank over to his house to study his mannerisms. Later, director Steven Spielberg sent the couple the movie trailer. Kelly Anne couldn’t stop gushing about Leo’s spot-on portrayal of his infamous husband.

Frank and Kelly Anne now live in Daniel’s Island, South Carolina, happily out of bankruptcy.

Scott, their oldest son, is an FBI agent like his father, serving as head of the Crisis and Negotiations Unit. Next is Chris, who owns a fashion boutique in Charleston, SC, and then Sean, who produces video games.

FAQs

How Old Is Kelly Anne Welbes Abagnale?

Kelly Anne Welbes is 69 years old at the time of writing. She’ll turn 70 in a few months.

Is Kelly Anne Welbes Abagnale Still Alive?

Yes, as of the latest information available, Kelly Anne Welbes Abagnale is alive.

How Did Kelly Anne Welbes Abagnale Meet Frank Abagnale Jr.?

Kelly Anne Welbes Abagnale met Frank when he was on an undercover assignment for the FBI.

Final Thoughts

Love won when an ordinary girl believed everyone deserves a second chance.

Kelly Anne Welbes Abagnale Kelly had no doubt an ex-con could be a wonderful husband and loving dad.

Frank openly credits his transformation to none other than his wife.