Most people know Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman from his TV shows and wild adventures. But long before he was famous, he had a young wife named La Fonda Sue Honeycutt. She’s not on TV. She’s not in the news. But her life story is full of love, heartbreak, strength, and peace.
So what really happened to her after the cameras turned away? Where did life take her after she left Duane Chapman?
In this article, we’ll walk through her full story — from her early days in Texas to her quiet life today. Let’s take a closer look at the real woman behind the name La Fonda Sue Honeycutt, and how she built a life far away from the spotlight.
La Fonda Sue Honeycutt Quick Bio
| Full Name | La Fonda Sue Honeycutt |
| Date of Birth | January 20, 1953 |
| Age (2026) | 73 years old |
| Birthplace | Pampa, Texas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Education | Pampa High School (1971) |
| First Husband | Duane “Dog” Chapman (1972–1977) |
| Current Husband | Jim Darnell (1977–present) |
| Children | 4 (Duane Lee II, Leland, Britney, Hannah) |
| Grandchildren | Dakota, Cobie, Leiah, Dylan |
| Profession | Homemaker, Beautician |
| Net Worth | $500K – $1 million (est.) |
| Lives In | Texas, USA |
| Known For | Duane Chapman’s ex-wife |
Who Is La Fonda Sue Honeycutt?
La Fonda Sue Honeycutt is best known as the first wife of Duane Chapman, also known as Dog the Bounty Hunter. But her life is more than just being someone’s ex-wife. She is a strong woman, a loving mother, and someone who chose peace over fame.
She was born on January 20, 1953, in Pampa, Texas, a quiet town with friendly neighbors and close families. La Fonda grew up in a home full of love and good values. Her parents, Glenn and Elwanda Honeycutt, taught her to be kind, honest, and strong.
Today, La Fonda is 73 years old (as of 2026). She has lived a very private life for many years, and she stays far away from the public eye. But her story is full of important lessons about love, family, and finding peace.
Early Life in Texas
La Fonda’s childhood was simple and sweet. She grew up in Pampa, a small Texas town where everyone knew each other. Life moved slowly there, and people cared about their neighbors. This kind of place shaped who La Fonda became — someone who values calm, family, and kindness.
She went to Pampa High School and graduated in 1971. People who knew her back then remember her as polite, friendly, and down-to-earth. She didn’t want fame or a fancy life. She dreamed of a happy home and a strong family.
Even as a teenager, La Fonda showed she was steady and responsible. These traits helped her later in life, especially during the tough years of her first marriage.
How La Fonda Met Duane Chapman
La Fonda met Duane Chapman in a way that feels like a scene from a movie. She was visiting her brother, who worked as a police officer, and they went to a shopping mall together. That’s where Duane saw her for the first time — and he was stunned.
In his own words, Duane couldn’t take his eyes off her. He was bold and confident. Even though he was dating someone else at the time, he walked right up to La Fonda and started talking. They clicked instantly.
That very day, they went on a date. And from that moment on, things moved fast. Their connection was strong. La Fonda saw something in Duane — a spark, a charm. Even with his wild side, she was drawn to him. Soon, they were in love and thinking about the future.
Marriage to Duane “Dog” Chapman
On April 1, 1972, La Fonda and Duane got married in Pampa, Texas. She was just 19 years old, full of hope, and ready to start a new life. She believed in love and thought they could build something strong together.
But life after marriage wasn’t easy. Duane had a troubled past and found it hard to keep a steady job. La Fonda worked hard to support them, taking jobs like working in a bra factory just to help pay the bills.
At one point, they got an offer to buy two houses for only $5,000. It was a big chance for their young family. Even though they didn’t have the money, Duane managed to get a loan, and they bought the homes. Things were finally looking up.
Becoming a Young Mother
La Fonda became a mom at the young age of 20. In January 1973, she gave birth to her first son, Duane Lee Chapman II. Her life changed completely. She gave her full heart to being a mom.
Three years later, in December 1976, she had her second son, Leland Chapman. With two little boys, La Fonda’s days were full. But even with all the stress, she stayed strong and focused on giving her kids a safe and happy home.
She didn’t care about fancy things. She cared about her boys having clean clothes, warm meals, and a mother who loved them deeply. She worked hard, prayed often, and did everything she could to hold her family together.
The Problems Inside the Marriage
From the outside, things looked okay. But inside their marriage, there were big problems. Duane was struggling. He was still living recklessly and didn’t always stay loyal.
La Fonda tried to ignore the signs. She wanted her marriage to work. But one day, she saw something she couldn’t unsee — Duane was in a car with another woman, someone he had met in a bar.
It broke her heart. She couldn’t take it anymore.
La Fonda packed up her things and went back to her mother’s house in Pampa, Texas, taking her two sons with her. It was one of the hardest choices she ever made, but she knew it was the right one. She wanted a better life for her children — a life without pain, lies, or chaos.
The Crime That Changed Everything
Even after she left, Duane still wanted to be with her. He followed her to Texas, hoping to fix things. When he arrived, he found out that La Fonda was five months pregnant with their second child, Leland.
They tried to make it work again, hoping to save the family. But life took another dark turn.
In 1976, Duane went out with some friends. One of them ended up shooting and killing a man during a robbery. Duane didn’t pull the trigger, but he was the driver — and that made him part of the crime.
He was arrested and later sentenced to five years in prison. Once again, La Fonda was left alone. Two young boys. No husband. And a name all over the news.
Why La Fonda Sue Honeycutt Divorced Duane Chapman
While Duane was behind bars, La Fonda made the hardest decision of her life. She filed for divorce in October 1977.
She didn’t want her children growing up with pain and fear. She wanted peace, love, and a stable home. The court gave her full custody of Duane Lee II and Leland.
Duane later admitted that losing La Fonda was one of the biggest regrets of his life.
But for La Fonda, the path was clear. Her boys came first. And she was ready to move on.
New Life with Jim Darnell
After divorcing Duane Chapman, La Fonda Sue Honeycutt started a new chapter. She found love again — this time with someone steady and kind. His name was Jim Darnell, and he was more than just a partner. He had been her friend during the hard times.
In 1977, the same year she ended her first marriage, La Fonda married Jim. This marriage was different. It wasn’t loud or wild. It was quiet, peaceful, and full of trust. With Jim, she felt safe. They didn’t chase fame — they built a life of love and calm.
Together, they had two daughters: Britney Lynn Darnell and Hannah Dawn Darnell. Now, La Fonda had four children. Her heart and her home were full again.
Raising Four Children with Love
La Fonda gave her all to being a mom. She stayed home, took care of the kids, and made sure they had everything they needed. She was the kind of mom who cooked warm meals, helped with homework, and gave hugs after a long day.
Her two sons, Duane Lee II and Leland, grew up fast. But so did her daughters. La Fonda made sure all four of them had a stable, loving home. Even though life had been hard, she didn’t let the past steal her joy.
She never tried to be in the spotlight. She didn’t want attention. Her job was to raise her kids right — and she did.
Letting Her Sons Reconnect with Duane Chapman
At first, La Fonda didn’t want her sons around Duane. He had just gotten out of jail, and she wanted to protect them. But as time passed, things changed.
When the boys were older — around 11 and 8 — she let them reconnect with their dad. Duane wanted to be in their lives, and La Fonda allowed it for their sake.
Later on, when the boys were teenagers, La Fonda made a hard but loving choice. She gave custody to Duane, hoping they could learn from both parents. It wasn’t easy, but she always put her kids first. That’s the kind of mother she was.
La Fonda Sue Honeycutt Today, Where Is She Now?
So, where is La Fonda Sue Honeycutt, Duane Chapman’s ex-wife, in 2026?
She still lives in Texas, far from the cameras and crowds. She is 72 years old, and she’s happy just being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She doesn’t use social media. She doesn’t go to events. She enjoys a quiet life at home with Jim Darnell.
She spends her days doing what she loves — cooking, relaxing, and spending time with her family. Holidays are special. Family dinners are full of laughter. This is the peaceful life she always wanted.
Being a Grandmother
One of La Fonda’s greatest joys is being a grandma. Her sons have children of their own, and now she has grandkids like Dakota, Cobie, Leiah, and Dylan.
She loves watching them grow. She cheers them on, gives advice, and shares stories from the past. She may not be famous, but to her grandkids, she is a star.
They visit her, share hugs, and fill her home with joy. Even though she stays private, family photos show her smiling — a proud, strong woman surrounded by love.
Why Her Story Still Inspires People
Some people chase fame. Others choose peace. La Fonda Sue Honeycutt chose peace.
She could have stayed in the spotlight with Duane. But she walked away from chaos and chose to protect her children. She rebuilt her life with love, one step at a time.
Today, her name might not be on TV, but her story touches many hearts. She is living proof that you don’t need cameras to be strong. Her strength is in her choices, her family, and her quiet happiness.
Final Thoughts
La Fonda Sue Honeycutt’s story is simple, but it’s powerful. She was once married to Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman, but her life didn’t stop there. She faced pain, betrayal, and hard times — and came out stronger.
She raised four children with care. She found true love again. She built a home full of peace. And in 2026, she’s still living her life with kindness, grace, and strength.
Her story reminds us that you don’t need fame to live a full, beautiful life. Sometimes, the strongest people are the ones who choose to live quietly — with love, purpose, and family by their side.
(FAQs)
How old is La Fonda Sue Honeycutt?
La Fonda Sue Honeycutt was born on January 20, 1953. In 2026, she is 73 years old.
Many people are surprised to learn she got married and became a mom when she was still very young.
How many children does La Fonda Sue Honeycutt have?
She has four children in total. She had two sons (Duane Lee II and Leland) with Duane Chapman. She also has two daughters (Britney and Hannah) with her second husband, Jim Darnell.
Most people only know about her two famous sons. But she is actually a proud mom of four.
What is La Fonda Sue Honeycutt’s ethnicity?
La Fonda Sue Honeycutt is Caucasian. She was born and raised in Texas, USA.
Even though she was once married to a famous TV star, she chose a simple and private life.
How tall is La Fonda Sue Honeycutt?
She is about 5 feet 6 inches tall (168 cm).
She may not be very tall, but she showed great strength during very hard times in her life.
Where is La Fonda Sue Honeycutt living today?
As of 2026, she lives a quiet life in Texas with her husband, Jim Darnell. She does not use social media or appear on TV.
While her ex-husband stayed famous, she chose peace, privacy, and family instead.
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