The Six Wives Of Dog The Bounty Hunter: Inside Duane Chapman's Marriages, From La Fonda To Francie Frane

Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman, the iconic reality television star known for his signature long blonde hair and fearless approach to bounty hunting, has lived a life as dramatic off-screen as it was on A&E's *Dog the Bounty Hunter* and WGN America's *Dog's Most Wanted*. As of December 2025, the latest chapter in his tumultuous personal life revolves around his sixth wife, Francie Frane, a Colorado rancher who brought a shared understanding of loss and a renewed sense of purpose to the legendary lawman's world. This current marriage, which began in 2021, follows the heartbreaking passing of his beloved fifth wife, Beth Chapman, in 2019, and represents a significant emotional milestone in Dog's journey.

The public fascination with Dog's love life is driven by its sheer complexity, spanning six marriages, numerous children, and a decades-long career in television. From his early, rushed unions to his long, highly-publicized partnership with Beth, and now his quiet life with Francie, each relationship has shaped the man known globally as "Dog." Here is a deep dive into the six women who have married the reality star, with the most current details on his life with Francie.

Duane "Dog the Bounty Hunter" Chapman: A Complete Biographical Profile

The man behind the vest, Duane Lee Chapman Sr., has a biography filled with highs, lows, and relentless media attention. His personal history is essential to understanding the dynamics of his six marriages.

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• Full Name: Duane Lee Chapman Sr.
• Nickname: Dog the Bounty Hunter
• Born: February 2, 1953 (Currently 72 years old as of December 2025)
• Birthplace: Denver, Colorado, U.S.
• Occupation: Bounty Hunter, Bail Bondsman, Reality Television Personality, Author
• Known For: *Dog the Bounty Hunter* (A&E), *Dog and Beth: On the Hunt* (CMT), *Dog's Most Wanted* (WGN America)
• Total Marriages: 6
• Current Wife: Francie Frane (m. 2021)
• Total Children: 13 (from six relationships, including one adopted daughter)

The Six Chapters: A Timeline of Dog's Marriages and Wives

Dog the Bounty Hunter has been married six times, a testament to his search for enduring partnership. The timeline of his life is marked by these significant unions, each bringing new family members and challenges.

1. La Fonda Sue Honeycutt (1972–1977)

La Fonda Sue Honeycutt was Dog's first wife. Their marriage took place shortly before Dog was convicted of first-degree murder in 1976 and served 18 months in a Texas prison. The couple divorced while Dog was incarcerated. They had two sons together: Duane Lee Chapman II and Leland Blane Chapman, both of whom would later become prominent figures on his reality shows.

2. Ann M. Tegnell (1979–1982)

Following his release from prison, Dog married Ann Tegnell. This short-lived marriage produced three sons. Tragically, one son, Zebadiah Chapman, was born and died in 1980. Their other children are Wesley Chapman and James Robert Chapman. The marriage ended in divorce after three years.

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3. Lyssa Rae Brittain (1982–1991)

The relationship with Lyssa Rae Brittain, whom he met in a bar, was famously rushed. They married just days after meeting. This union was Dog's longest up to that point, lasting nearly a decade. They had three children: Barbara Katie Chapman (who tragically died in a car accident in 2006), Tucker Dee Chapman, and Lyssa Rae "Baby Lyssa" Chapman, who gained fame as a bounty hunter on the reality series.

4. Tawny Marie (1988–1991)

Dog married Tawny Marie while he was still legally married to Lyssa Rae Brittain, though they were separated. The exact timeline of this union is often disputed, but it is generally counted as his fourth marriage. Tawny Marie was a bail bonds office employee whom Dog met while working. They did not have any children together.

5. Alice Elizabeth "Beth" Chapman (2006–2019)

Beth Chapman (née Smith) is arguably the most famous of Dog’s wives and a central figure in his public life. Their relationship spanned 16 years before they officially married in 2006. Beth was a fierce, glamorous, and outspoken partner who became a co-star and executive producer on all of Dog’s major reality shows, including *Dog the Bounty Hunter*, *Dog and Beth: On the Hunt*, and the posthumous *Dog's Most Wanted*. They had two children together, Bonnie Joanne Chapman and Garry Chapman, and Dog adopted Beth's daughter, Cecily Chapman. Beth's death in June 2019 from throat cancer devastated Dog and his family, leading to a period of deep public mourning.

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Francie Frane: Dog's Current Wife and Shared Path of Grief

After the death of Beth Chapman, Dog endured a difficult period of grief, which he openly shared with the public. His eventual relationship with Francie Frane, his sixth and current wife, was unique because it was founded on a shared, profound tragedy.

The Unique Connection: Losing Their Partners

Francie Frane, a former Colorado rancher, had also recently lost her husband, Bob Frane, to cancer in December 2018—just six months before Beth’s passing. Dog and Francie were introduced because Bob used to do yard work for the Chapman family. This shared experience of losing a spouse to cancer created an immediate, deep bond between them, allowing them to comfort each other through their respective grief.

Francie’s background as a rancher and hunter aligned with Dog’s rugged, outdoor lifestyle, and she quickly became a source of stability. The couple announced their engagement in May 2020 and were married on September 2, 2021, in a ceremony held in Colorado.

Life Today: Recent Updates and Family Dynamics

Since their wedding, the couple has settled into life together, largely out of the constant reality TV spotlight that defined Dog's partnership with Beth. However, their lives remain public, with recent updates showing the challenges they continue to navigate. In recent months, Francie underwent major oral surgery, a personal health matter that Dog shared with fans.

Additionally, the family experienced a very recent, terrifying ordeal in July 2025 when Francie’s step-grandson was accidentally shot in the neck. While this incident was a shock, it highlighted the family’s resilience and their close-knit support system, with the child thankfully recovering.

Francie has embraced her role in the large Chapman family, which includes Dog's 13 children and numerous grandchildren. While not all of Dog's children have publicly supported the new marriage, Francie has remained a steadfast partner to Dog, often sharing updates on their life together on social media and supporting his ongoing work in the bail bonds and ministry space.

The Chapman Family Legacy: Children and Reality TV Entities

Dog’s six marriages and other relationships have resulted in one of the largest and most publicly known families in reality television. The children themselves are major entities in the bounty hunting world and beyond:

• The Original Bounty Hunters: Sons Duane Lee II and Leland Blane Chapman, from his first marriage, were key cast members on *Dog the Bounty Hunter* and are successful bounty hunters in their own right.
• Baby Lyssa: Daughter Lyssa Rae Chapman, from his third marriage, became a fan favorite and a successful author and businesswoman.
• The Beth-Era Children: Bonnie Joanne Chapman and Cecily Chapman (adopted) have remained in the public eye, often commenting on family affairs and carrying on their mother Beth’s legacy.
• The Shows: The family's fame is intrinsically linked to their television entities: *Dog the Bounty Hunter* (2004–2012), *Dog and Beth: On the Hunt* (2013–2015), and the emotional final series, *Dog's Most Wanted* (2019).

The journey of Duane "Dog the Bounty Hunter" Chapman is defined by his relentless pursuit of justice and, equally, his relentless search for love. His current marriage to Francie Frane is a powerful continuation of his life's story, built on mutual respect and the shared understanding that even after the deepest loss, a new chapter of hope and partnership can begin.