When it comes to celebrity relationships, sometimes the spouses of famous people become well-known themselves. This is the case with Mary Joan Hansen, the ex-wife of American television journalist Chris Hansen. While Chris made a name for himself hosting shows like “To Catch a Predator,” Mary remained largely out of the public eye during their nearly 30-year marriage. Let’s take a closer look at who Mary Joan Hansen is and her life before, during, and after being married to Chris Hansen.
Who is Mary Joan Hansen?
Mary Joan Hansen was born in the United States, though her exact birth date is not publicly known. She is likely in her late 50s or early 60s, based on the timeline of her relationship with Chris Hansen. Very little is known about Mary’s life before she met and married Chris.
According to some reports, Mary allegedly attended Western Michigan University, but this has not been definitively confirmed. Her career aspirations and early adult life remain something of a mystery. What we do know is that Mary met Chris Hansen at some point in the late 1980s and the couple tied the knot on November 18, 1989.
Early Life and Background of Mary Joan Hansen
Without more verifiable facts about Mary Joan Hansen’s upbringing and early adulthood, much of her background remains speculative. Growing up in the United States, she likely had a relatively normal childhood and adolescence before meeting her future husband Chris sometime in her 20s.
Attending university, whether it was indeed at Western Michigan University or elsewhere, would indicate Mary valued education. Her time in college may have shaped her personal and professional interests before settling down with Chris and starting a family.
There are also reports that early in her marriage to Chris, Mary worked briefly with Orlando’s ABC affiliate WFTV Channel 9. However, details about her role there and the duration of her employment are unclear. Like many spouses of those in the public eye, Mary may have preferred to stay out of the limelight and focus on raising their two sons, Chase and Connor.
Marriage to Chris Hansen
Mary Joan Hansen and Chris Hansen’s marriage lasted nearly three decades, from 1989 to 2020. During that time, Chris’s journalism career took off as he became known for his work on shows like Dateline NBC and the controversial “To Catch a Predator” series.
Throughout Chris’s rising fame, Mary remained supportive, though she chose to stay mostly behind the scenes. The couple welcomed two sons together, Chase and Connor Hansen. While the exact years of their births are not publicly known, the boys are now adults.
From the outside, the Hansen family life appeared picture-perfect for many years. Chris’s career was thriving and Mary held down the fort at home, raising their children in what seemed to be a stable, loving environment. However, cracks in the relationship eventually began to show as Chris faced some controversies and legal issues related to his work.
Divorce and Personal Struggles
After almost 30 years of marriage, Mary Joan Hansen and Chris Hansen divorced in 2020, citing irreconcilable differences. Leading up to the divorce, their relationship had been strained by Chris’s extramarital affairs, which were made public.
The divorce proceedings revealed that Chris had cheated on Mary with a former mistress, Kristyn Caddell, and had been involved with an NBC anchor named Kristyn Cadigan. These indiscretions undoubtedly took a toll on Mary and the family.
Admirably, Mary Joan Hansen remained poised throughout the difficult divorce process. She did not engage in public mudslinging or share details of her personal pain. Instead, she handled the situation with grace as the marriage legally ended.
While the divorce was undoubtedly a challenging time for Mary, she seems to have landed on her feet. Reports estimate that her net worth is around $1 million, largely from alimony payments. Hopefully, this financial security has given Mary the opportunity to heal, move forward, and write the next chapter of her life after being Mrs. Chris Hansen.
Although the public may never know the full story of what Mary Joan Hansen endured during her marriage and divorce, her resilience is certainly commendable. Going through a divorce is never easy, especially when it plays out in the public eye. By rising above the fray, Mary has shown herself to be a class act.
Mary’s Affair with Kristyn Caddell
In 2011, news broke that Chris Hansen had an extramarital affair with Kristyn Caddell, a TV reporter 20 years his junior. The affair reportedly lasted for about 4 months.
This revelation shocked many, as Chris had built a reputation as a moral crusader through his TV show. The affair took a toll on his marriage to Mary Joan. Though they stayed together for a few more years, the damage had been done.
Family Life and Children
Mary Joan Hansen married Chris Hansen on November 18, 1989. The couple went on to have two sons together, Chase and Connor.
Mary was a devoted wife and mother during their nearly 30-year marriage. She supported Chris’s journalism career while raising their boys. From the outside, they seemed to have a happy family life – until the news of Chris’s infidelity surfaced.
Media Attention and Public Reactions
As a public figure’s wife, Mary Joan Hansen found herself in the media spotlight when her husband’s affair was exposed. The scandal made headlines in tabloids and mainstream news outlets.
Many people sympathized with Mary, seeing her as a wronged wife. Others criticized Chris for his hypocrisy in cheating while hosting a show that exposed sexual predators. The whole ordeal was undoubtedly humiliating and painful for Mary and her family.
Conclusion
In the end, Mary Joan Hansen filed for divorce from Chris Hansen in 2018, citing his infidelity as a key reason. She sought alimony and a fair division of assets after supporting his career for decades.
Today, Mary Joan keeps a low profile and focuses on her own life. Her story is a reminder that behind every public figure, there are real people and families who can be deeply hurt by scandals and indiscretions. Mary Joan Hansen deserves respect for her grace and resilience in the face of such a public betrayal.
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