Susan Powter: A Biographical Snapshot of the 'Stop the Insanity' Icon
The woman who told America to "Stop the Insanity!" has an equally dramatic personal history, marked by major career shifts, two marriages, and the adoption of her youngest son.- Full Name: Susan Jane Powter
- Born: December 22, 1957
- Birthplace: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Age (as of December 2025): 67
- Occupations: Nutritionist, Motivational Speaker, Writer, Television Personality, Food Delivery Driver (current)
- Spouses: Nic Villarreal (m. 1982; div. 1988), Lincoln Apeland (m. 1989; div. 1995)
- Children: 3 Sons (Damien, Kiel, and Gabriel)
- Current Residence: Las Vegas, Nevada (living in a low-income senior community)
- Notable Works: *Stop the Insanity!* (Book and Infomercial), *Food* (Book), *Stop the Insanity: Finding Susan Powter* (2025 Documentary)
The Three Sons: Damien, Kiel, and Gabriel
Susan Powter is the proud mother of three sons, all of whom are now adult men with their own careers and lives. The family dynamic was notably unconventional during her peak fame, as she once financially supported her first husband, Nic Villarreal, and rented a duplex so he could live nearby and maintain a close relationship with their shared children.Damien Villarreal (Born 1983)
Damien Villarreal is Susan Powter’s eldest son, born in 1983 during her first marriage to Nic Villarreal. He was a young child during the peak of his mother's "Stop the Insanity!" fame, experiencing the whirlwind of her success, the subsequent financial downfall, and the move out of the spotlight.
As of recent public records, Damien Villarreal is listed in a professional capacity, potentially working in the corporate sector. One record suggests he holds the title of Director of Human Resources at Caesars Entertainment. While Susan Powter’s life has been public, her sons have largely maintained their privacy, a choice that respects their need for a normal life outside of the media glare that consumed their mother's early career.
Kiel Villarreal (Born 1984)
Kiel Villarreal is Susan Powter’s second son with her first husband, Nic Villarreal, born in 1984. Like his older brother, Kiel grew up amidst the chaos of a celebrity parent's life, followed by a dramatic shift to a quieter existence when Powter moved the family to Seattle to "live a much simpler life" after her bankruptcy.
Details about Kiel's current career and personal life are not publicly available, reflecting the family's desire for privacy. However, his mother’s recent comments confirm that he is a successful adult, navigating his own path.
Gabriel Powter (Born 1998)
Gabriel Powter is Susan Powter’s youngest son, whom she adopted in 1998. Gabriel was born years after his mother’s initial fame and later divorce from her second husband, Lincoln Apeland. He spent his formative years in a much different environment than his older brothers, growing up largely off-the-grid in an earthship-style home in Taos, New Mexico, which Powter described as a "hippie" lifestyle.
Gabriel would be in his mid-twenties as of late 2025. He was the son Powter was primarily raising when she was living a more isolated life, away from the media. The fact that he was adopted later in her life highlights Susan Powter’s deep commitment to motherhood, even as her career and personal identity continued to evolve.
"They're Proud": The Current Relationship Between Susan Powter and Her Adult Sons
In a series of candid interviews surrounding the November 2025 release of her documentary, *Stop the Insanity: Finding Susan Powter*—executive produced by Jamie Lee Curtis—Susan Powter provided the most current and touching update on her relationship with her three sons.Navigating Adulthood and Financial Turmoil
Powter, who is currently working as a food delivery driver in Las Vegas, spoke openly about her financial struggles, which left her "virtually destitute" and applying for Medicaid and Social Security. Despite the dramatic change in her circumstances, her sons have remained supportive.
When discussing her work ethic and her new, humbling job, Powter stated, "That's why my children are so proud." This quote offers a powerful insight into the family values she instilled: that no honest work is beneath you. She emphasized that she has "never stopped working, not one moment" and that her children respect her resilience and determination to survive.
A Mother-Son Bond Maintained
While Powter describes herself as an "isolated person" and a "hermit" who doesn't socialize much, she confirmed that she maintains a relationship with her children. "I see my children once in a while, they're adult men," she told *Entertainment Weekly*. This suggests a mature, respectful relationship where her sons, now in their late 20s and early 40s, lead independent lives but keep in touch with their mother.
The latest updates confirm that the fitness guru’s primary focus has shifted from selling a weight-loss empire to simply surviving and working hard, a struggle her three sons—Damien, Kiel, and Gabriel—are aware of and clearly admire. Their pride in her ability to persevere through her downfall is a testament to the strong, albeit unconventional, family foundation she built during her most insane years.
The Legacy of Motherhood Amidst the Chaos
Susan Powter's story is one of extremes, but the consistent thread has always been her commitment to her children. From her unique co-parenting arrangement in the early 90s to her decision to leave Hollywood to prioritize raising them, her choices were often driven by a desire to protect her sons from the "insanity" of her public life.The release of the 2025 documentary has not only re-introduced Susan Powter to a new generation but has also celebrated her as a survivor. The fact that her three adult sons—Damien, Kiel, and Gabriel—are "proud" of her current hustle, even as an Uber Eats driver, speaks volumes about the character and values she passed on. Her legacy, perhaps, is not just "Stop the Insanity," but the enduring bond with her children who saw their mother rise, fall, and then bravely rise again.
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