The 5 Shocking Truths About Betty Broderick Today: Where Is She Now And Why Was Her 2032 Parole Denied?

Elisabeth "Betty" Broderick remains one of the most infamous figures in American true crime, a name synonymous with a devastating crime of passion following a bitter, high-profile divorce. The former San Diego socialite's story, which culminated in the 1989 double murder of her ex-husband and his new wife, continues to captivate the public, particularly after its dramatization in the *Dirty John* television series. As of December 13, 2025, Betty Broderick is still incarcerated, serving a decades-long sentence, with her fate tied to a distant and highly anticipated parole hearing.

The question of "Where is Betty Broderick now?" is not just about her physical location, but about her legal status, her state of mind, and the potential for her eventual release. Now 78 years old, her life behind bars at the California Institute for Women (CIW) is a far cry from the affluent La Jolla lifestyle she once knew. The most significant update is the distant date of her next parole review, a subject that has sharply divided her own family and kept her case in the national spotlight.

Betty Broderick: A Complete Biography and Profile

Elisabeth Anne Bisceglia, known as Betty, was born on November 7, 1947, in Bronxville, New York. She was raised in a strict, Roman Catholic household as one of six children to her parents, Frank and Marita Bisceglia. Her early life was marked by a focus on education and traditional family values.

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• Full Name: Elisabeth Anne Broderick (née Bisceglia)
• Born: November 7, 1947 (Age 78 as of December 2025)
• Birthplace: Bronxville, New York, U.S.
• Spouse: Daniel T. Broderick III (m. 1969; div. 1989)
• Children: Four (Kim, Lee, Daniel Jr., and Rhett)
• Victims: Daniel T. Broderick III and Linda Kolkena Broderick
• Crime: Second-Degree Murder (Two Counts)
• Date of Crime: November 5, 1989
• Sentence: 32 Years to Life
• Incarceration Location: California Institute for Women (CIW), Chino, California

Betty met her future husband, Daniel T. Broderick III, at the University of Notre Dame. She married Dan in 1969, supporting him through medical school at Cornell and then Harvard Law School while raising their four children. The family eventually settled in La Jolla, San Diego, where Dan became a highly successful medical malpractice attorney. The marriage publicly dissolved in 1983 when Dan admitted to an affair with his legal assistant, Linda Kolkena, leading to a protracted and highly acrimonious five-year divorce, which Betty often referred to as a "legal lynching."

The 5 Shocking Truths About Betty Broderick’s Current Life in Prison

Despite the passage of decades, the public fascination with Betty Broderick’s case has not waned. Her story is a cautionary tale of a woman who felt betrayed and abandoned, ultimately leading to a violent outburst that destroyed two lives and irrevocably damaged her own family. Her current status is defined by the rigid parameters of the California penal system and the legal obstacles she faces.

1. She Will Not Be Eligible for Parole Until 2032

The most definitive and current piece of information regarding Betty Broderick is her next scheduled parole hearing. Broderick was sentenced to two consecutive terms of 15 years to life, plus two years for the illegal use of a firearm, totaling 32 years to life. She first became eligible for parole in 2010.

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After being denied parole in 2010 and again in 2011, her third and most recent parole hearing took place in 2017. The parole board denied her release, citing her lack of remorse and failure to gain insight into her crimes. This denial resulted in a 15-year denial period, meaning Betty Broderick's next scheduled parole review will not occur until January 2032.

By the time of her next hearing, Betty will be 84 years old, making the 2032 date a critical, and possibly final, opportunity for her freedom.

2. Her Children Remain Sharply Divided on Her Release

The four Broderick children—Kim, Lee, Daniel Jr., and Rhett—have been vocal about their mother’s case, but their opinions on her release are not unanimous. This family split has been a major factor cited in her parole denials.

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• Daniel Broderick Jr. (Eldest Son): He has consistently opposed his mother’s release, stating during the 2010 parole hearing that his mother was still "hung up on justifying what she did" and should not be freed.
• Kim Broderick: She has also publicly expressed her belief that her mother should remain incarcerated, citing the danger she still poses.
• Kathy Lee Broderick: In contrast, her daughter Lee (Kathy Lee) has advocated for her mother, both during her trial and at parole hearings. She even offered to have her mother live with her if released.

The parole board has repeatedly pointed to Betty’s failure to take full responsibility for the murders as a key reason for keeping her in the California Institute for Women (CIW).

3. The Parole Board Cited Her Narcissism and Lack of Remorse

One of the most significant reasons for the parole board’s repeated denials is the psychological assessment of Betty Broderick. During her hearings, the board emphasized her apparent lack of remorse for the murders of Dan and Linda Kolkena Broderick.

The board expressed concern that she had not gained sufficient insight into the factors that led her to commit the violent crime. Furthermore, reports from the parole board have referenced a diagnosis of narcissism, suggesting a deep-seated personality issue that makes her an ongoing risk to the public. Her continued attempts to justify the murders as an inevitable result of her ex-husband's actions have been interpreted as an inability to accept responsibility, which is a key requirement for parole.

4. Her Story Continues to Be a Pop Culture Phenomenon

While Betty Broderick’s life is confined to the walls of the CIW, her story has gained a massive new audience through modern media. The 2020 USA Network series Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story, starring Amanda Peet and Christian Slater, brought her tumultuous marriage, the vicious divorce, and the subsequent murders to a generation unfamiliar with the original 1989 case.

The show sparked renewed debate about the role of spousal abuse, emotional manipulation, and the justice system in the case. This media attention ensures that entities like the San Diego divorce case, the name Linda Kolkena, and the concept of a "perfect life" gone wrong remain relevant in the true crime genre, keeping Broderick’s name in the news cycle even from behind bars.

5. She is One of the Oldest Inmates at the California Institute for Women

As of December 2025, Betty Broderick is 78 years old. She is currently housed at the California Institute for Women (CIW) in Chino, California, which is the largest women's prison in the state.

Having been incarcerated for over three decades, she has spent nearly half her life in prison. Her current existence is focused on navigating the challenges of an aging inmate population. While specific details of her day-to-day life are private, her continued incarceration means her daily routine is dictated by the prison schedule, far from the life of a wealthy La Jolla housewife she was before the tragic events of November 5, 1989. She remains a high-profile inmate, a living testament to one of the most sensational true crime stories of the 20th century.