Harriet Tendler Biography – All About Charles Bronson’s First Wife

Harriet Tendler born in 1929 is a popular American radio host and author who is widely recognized as the ex-wife and first wife of the late legendary Hollywood actor Charles Bronson who featured mainly in action and war movies.

Being the wife of a celebrity actor, Harriet had been in the spotlight which has got many fans intrigued to know more about her and the reason behind the couple’s split. Read on as we unveil details about the first wife of Charles Bronson.

Harriet Tendler was born into a Jewish family

Harriet Tendler as earlier mentioned was born in 1929 to Jewish parents. Her exact month and date of her birth are not available as the celebrity ex-wife leads a private life. The radio host was born into a Jewish family residing in Philadelphia, in the United States of America. Harriet is an American by nationality and belongs to the Caucasian ethnicity.

The author and radio host has not uncovered much about her personal life such as the names of her parents, ethnicity, and religion but from the information gathered, her father is a Jewish dairy farmer while details about her mother remain unknown.

Harriet lost her mother to the cold hands of death early as her father was often referred to as a widowed farmer.

When it comes to her childhood days, the celebrity wife has not revealed much about her life which makes it difficult for one to say if she had any siblings with whom she shared the same parents and grew up or was the only child of her parents.

Harriet Tendler’s formal education history, such as where she went to high school and college, is unknown to the public and the media at the moment. However, in 1947, a teenage Harriet got enrolled in the Bessie V. Hicks School of Stage, Screen, and Radio located in her hometown Philadelphia.

Harriet Tendler is a radio host and an author

Harriet Tendler from a young age always had the passion to become an actress but along the line had to put her dream to pursue an acting career on hold so that she could support her then-husband Charles Bronson who was said to be struggling in his career at that time.

She later went ahead to become a radio talk host on diverse stations located in Los Angeles. Prior to her becoming a radio talk host she had worked as a salesperson in a store to support her then-husband and children.

It was after her divorce from her husband Charles Bronson that she decided to pursue a career as an author and went ahead to publish three books, including the latest “Charlie and Me”. The book is centered on her ex-husband Charles and herself, it talked about the first wives of ambitious men and how they suffer and face emotional challenges.

What’s her net worth?

Harriet has not revealed details of her assets and the actual amount she earns from her profession. However, various sites have cited that the author has gathered a net worth that is between $1 million to $5 million throughout her active days in her career.

Harriet Tendler and her late ex-husband met while she was at Bessie V. Hicks School of Stage in Philadelphia

Harriet Tendler was the first wife of her ex-husband Charles Bronson. They met each other for the first time at the Bessie V. Hicks School of Stage where they were both pursuing a career in acting. He was eight batches her senior and she was only 18 years old while he was 26 years old.

As time went by, the duo became friends and after getting acquainted with each other began a romantic relationship that lasted for some time before they decided to take their relationship to the next level by getting married. Their relationship was not all rosy as Harriet’s dad had opposed it because Charles was a Catholic and Harriet was Jewish. In addition to the religious diversity, Charles who was the groom was also not having a good source of income as he was working in a coal mine at that time.

After some time, the couple was able to convince Harriet’s father and made him see the reasons why they wanted to get married. Their wedding later took place on September 30, 1949, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with friends and family in attendance.

Harriet Tendler and Charles Bronson parted ways in 1965

Harriet was of great support to her husband, especially as he was away most of the time due to work. However, the together forever fantasy was cut short as the pair got separated in 1965. The reason for the split is that Charles Bronson had an affair with co-actress Jill Ireland.

Harriet has stated that the affair was not the only reason why she was getting divorced from her husband. The radio host cited that fame had changed Charles Bronson so much and she was no longer comfortable with the man he had become. After the divorce, Harriet did not see the need to enter into another relationship or marriage. The mother of two was happy with her children and became more focused on her career and did not feel the need to remarry.

Charles Bronson on the other hand went ahead and got married to Jill Ireland the same lady whom he had an affair with. They both had a daughter together named Zuleikha Bronson. They also adopted a daughter named Katrina Holden Bronson, the daughter of late casting director Hilary Holden. Jill later passed on at the age of 54 due to breast cancer on May 18, 1990, at their home in Malibu, California.

Harriet’s ex-husband still went ahead after the death of Jill Ireland and got married for the third time to a lady named Kim Weeks. They were together for 5 years until he died.

Harriet Tendler is a mother of two

Harriet Tendler is not only a career woman as she is a proud mother of two children whom she had while she was married to her then-husband, Charles Bronson. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Suzanne Bronson on February 27, 1955. In February 1961, they welcomed their second child, a son named Tony Bronson.

Harriet has always ensured she is there for her kids and practically raised them all by herself as their father Charles Bronson was always busy pursuing his acting career and paving his way in Hollywood.

Harriet Tendler’s ex-husband Charles Bronson is an American actor

Charles Bronson’s real name is Charles Dennis Buchinsky. As earlier mentioned he was a well-recognized American actor who was more into action and war movies.

Harriet’s husband was one of the most successful actors in Hollywood back in the days when he was still active in his acting career.

Before his death, Charles Bronson had a health condition that was getting worse by the day. In 1998, he had undergone hip surgery which led to his retirement from the movie industry.

Information gathered cited that the reason for Harriet’s ex-husband’s death is Pneumonia and Alzheimer’s disease, although what was written on his death certificate is that he died of respiratory failure and metastatic lung cancer.

Harriet’s ex-husband passed on at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles. The legendary actor was later laid to rest in Brownsville Cemetary located in West Windsor, Vermont.

Harriet Tendler has a health condition

The celebrity wife in an interview with WAMG revealed that she had been battling with Lung and breast cancer and has had about three surgeries for her broken femur. Presently, she is trying to enjoy her remaining days on earth and is managing her old age the best way she can.

Read Also: A Look At The Life Of Eloise Smyth, Who Is Her Father Chas Smyth?

Fast facts

How long was Charles Bronson married to his first wife Harriet?

Charles Bronson and his first wife Harriet Tendler were married for 24 years.

Did Charles Bronson marry Jill Ireland?

After his divorce from Harriet, Charles Bronson got married to Jill Ireland in 1968.

Who were Charles Bronson’s wives?

• Harriet Tendler (​m. 1949; div. 1965)
• Jill Ireland ​(m. 1968; died 1990)
• Kim Weeks (m. 1968)

How much was Charles Bronson worth at his death?

Charles Bronson was worth $45 million when he died.