Lyssa Rae Brittain: Life Before and After Being Duane Chapman’s Ex-Wife

Lyssa Rae Brittain may not be a name you hear every day, but she played a big role in the life of one of reality TV’s most well-known stars — Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman. While Dog was busy chasing fugitives on-screen, Lyssa Rae was part of the real-life story behind the scenes.

She was married to Duane for nearly a decade. Together, they had children, faced struggles, and eventually went their separate ways. But what happened before and after that? And why did she choose to live such a quiet life afterward?

In this article, we’ll explore everything — from Lyssa Rae Brittain’s early days to her life after divorce, and her role in one of TV’s most talked-about families.

Lyssa Rae Brittain Quick Bio

Early Life of Lyssa Rae Brittain

Lyssa Rae Brittain was born on July 15, 1954, in Denver, Colorado. She grew up in a regular American family. Her father was a businessman, and she seemed to have a fairly normal childhood.

She later went to the University of Colorado, where she earned a degree in business. That education helped her step into the business world, and by 1977, she was already handling her father’s company. Even though she would later become known for being Duane Chapman’s wife, Lyssa had her own life and work before any of that fame.

At this stage, no one knew she would one day be part of a big TV family — and that her name would be tied to one of the most famous bounty hunters in America.

How Lyssa Rae Brittain Met Duane Chapman

The story of how Lyssa Rae Brittain met Duane Chapman is unusual but interesting. At the time, Dog was heartbroken. His second wife, Anne Tegnell, had taken his children and left. That’s when he walked into a bar and met Lyssa Rae.

Lyssa had also just gone through her own heartbreak. She had divorced her first husband — a minister — because he had been unfaithful. She and Duane connected right away. They talked about faith, family, and life. According to Dog, he was drawn to her strong belief in God.

And in a surprising moment, Duane offered her $1,000 to have his baby. It sounds strange, but that’s how their story began. Soon after, they started a relationship that led to marriage.

Marriage to Duane Chapman

Lyssa Rae Brittain married Duane Chapman on January 6, 1982. Their wedding wasn’t fancy or flashy. It was a small ceremony held in the Colorado mountains and was led by a Native American chief.

This wasn’t your typical love story. Duane was a bounty hunter with a big personality, and Lyssa preferred peace and quiet. But somehow, it worked — at least for a while.

Just two weeks after they got married, Lyssa gave birth to their first child together, Barbara. For almost ten years, they built a life together, raising kids and dealing with the ups and downs of marriage. Lyssa didn’t love fame, but she supported her husband as he chased his dreams.

Life as Duane Chapman’s Wife

Living with Duane Chapman wasn’t always easy. He had a bold, wild personality and was already starting to attract attention. Lyssa Rae Brittain, on the other hand, was much more private. She didn’t like being in the spotlight.

While Duane was busy with his work, Lyssa focused on raising their children and keeping the family together. But as Dog’s fame grew, so did the pressure. Lyssa didn’t want a Hollywood lifestyle. She liked calm, quiet places, far away from the cameras.

Over time, the differences between them became clearer. Duane wanted more fame. Lyssa wanted more peace. That slowly began to pull them apart.

Lyssa Rae Brittain and Her Children with Duane Chapman

Lyssa Rae Brittain and Duane Chapman had three children together — maybe even four, according to some reports.

• Barbara Katie Chapman (born in 1982) was their first daughter.

• Tucker Dee Chapman (born in 1983) was their first son.

• Lyssa Rae Chapman, also known as “Baby Lyssa”, was born in 1987.

• Some sources mention a fourth child, Nicholas Chapman, though little is known about him.

All of these children had very different lives. Baby Lyssa became well-known for being on her father’s show, Dog the Bounty Hunter. Tucker stayed mostly private but has faced personal struggles. And Barbara — as we’ll see next — faced a tragic end that left the family heartbroken.

The Tragic Death of Daughter Barbara Katie

One of the saddest parts of Lyssa Rae Brittain’s life was the death of her daughter, Barbara Katie Chapman. In 2006, just one day before Duane Chapman’s wedding to Beth Smith, Barbara died in a car crash in Fairbanks, Alaska. She was only 23 years old.

Barbara had been a passenger in a stolen SUV that went off the road and hit a tree. The crash was deadly. What made it even harder was that Barbara had a 4-year-old son, Travis, who was left behind.

Dog later wrote in his book that not inviting Barbara to his wedding broke his heart. He had hoped “tough love” would help her change, but it was too late. For Lyssa Rae Brittain, this loss was painful beyond words. Barbara’s death changed the whole family forever.

Why Lyssa Rae Brittain and Duane Chapman Got Divorced

After nine years of marriage, Lyssa Rae Brittain and Duane Chapman got divorced in November 1991. The exact reason was never made fully public, but the cracks were clear.

They had very different ideas about life. Duane liked attention, adventure, and big plans. Lyssa liked privacy, peace, and raising her kids away from noise. Over time, the pressure of fame and their differences pulled them apart.

Even after the divorce, their names stayed connected — mostly because of their daughter Baby Lyssa, who later shared more details about their family life.

Lyssa Rae Brittain’s New Start

After leaving her marriage behind, Lyssa Rae Brittain moved to Alaska with her youngest daughter, Baby Lyssa. They lived in a small town called Anderson — quiet, snowy, and far from the busy world of TV and bounty hunting.

Lyssa wanted a simple life. She didn’t chase the cameras or do interviews. But even in Alaska, things weren’t always calm. Raising a child on her own wasn’t easy, and Lyssa faced some serious personal challenges.

Still, she chose to stay out of the spotlight. Even today, Lyssa Rae Brittain lives a very private life, and not much is known about where she is or what she’s doing.

Lyssa Rae Brittain’s Struggles with Alcohol and Parenting

Over the years, Lyssa Rae Brittain faced her own battles. Baby Lyssa said that her mother drank often and wasn’t always present when she needed her. She remembered times when her mom was drinking or out with her boyfriend, leaving her to care for herself and her baby alone.

This made it hard for them to build a close mother-daughter bond. Baby Lyssa has spoken openly about how she felt angry and hurt by how things were handled. She even once said that if she had been in her mother’s shoes, she would’ve done things very differently.

Still, it’s clear that Lyssa Rae Brittain was going through her own pain. Some people turn to alcohol when they feel broken or lost. Maybe that’s what happened to her too. Sadly, this affected not only her but also the kids around her.

Where Is Lyssa Rae Brittain Now?

Since the 1990s, Lyssa Rae Brittain has stayed out of the spotlight. She hasn’t appeared on TV. She doesn’t do interviews. And she’s not active on social media. Most reports say she still lives a quiet life in Colorado, far away from the fame of her past.

No one knows exactly what she’s doing now. She hasn’t spoken publicly about her ex-husband or their children. It seems like she made a choice to live in peace, away from cameras and headlines.

Some might say she disappeared, but maybe she just wanted a simple, calm life. After everything she went through, it’s easy to understand why.

Lyssa Rae Brittain’s Role in the Chapman Story

Even though she lives quietly, Lyssa Rae Brittain is still a very important part of the Chapman family story. She was there during a time when Duane Chapman was building his life and family. She gave birth to three children who are deeply connected to the “Dog the Bounty Hunter” legacy.

Her daughter, Baby Lyssa, became a star in her own right, and her son Tucker is still part of the family, even if he stays out of the public eye. And though Barbara is no longer here, her memory lives on through her son and the family who loved her.

Lyssa Rae Brittain may not be on camera, but her story still matters. She went through love, loss, and a lot of personal pain — and even if her choices weren’t perfect, her role in the Chapman family’s journey is something that can’t be erased.

Final Thoughts

Lyssa Rae Brittain’s life is full of chapters that many people don’t know about. From a young woman in Colorado to being Duane Chapman’s ex-wife, and from being a mother to living a quiet life away from fame, her journey has had many ups and downs.

Her story isn’t flashy, but it’s real. It’s filled with hard lessons, deep love, and quiet strength. Whether she ever steps back into the public eye or not, she will always be remembered as the woman who helped shape part of the Chapman legacy.

(FAQs)

How old is Lyssa Rae Brittain now?

She’s 71 years old as of 2025! Lyssa Rae Brittain was born on July 15, 1954, in Denver, Colorado.

How many children does Lyssa Rae Brittain have with Duane Chapman?

She had three children with Duane: Barbara, Katie, Tucker Dee, and Baby Lyssa. Some sources say there may even be a fourth child, Nicholas!

When did Lyssa Rae Brittain marry and divorce Duane Chapman?

She married Duane in January 1982 — just two weeks before giving birth to their daughter. They divorced in November 1991, after 9 rocky years.

Is Lyssa Rae Brittain on Instagram? What’s her net worth?

Nope — she’s completely off social media. You won’t find her on Instagram. Her net worth is around $500,000, mostly from her early business life.

Where is Lyssa Rae Brittain now in 2025? Did she remarry?

She never remarried and now lives a very private life in Colorado. No one has seen her in public for years — she has totally vanished from the spotlight!