James Westley Welch was more than Raquel Welch’s first husband. In truth, he was the man against whom she judged all other partners. Born on January 29, 1937, in Pike County, Missouri, James built a remarkable life both during and after his marriage to the Hollywood icon. As Raquel Welch’s spouse from 1959 to 1964, he fathered her two children before their paths diverged. While many know Raquel Welch’s husbands and wonder who was Raquel Welch married to, few understand James Welch’s journey from tuna fisherman to successful publicist and real estate developer, accumulating a net worth of approximately $40 million. This article explores his untold story, especially his lasting impact on those closest to him.
Early Life and the High School Romance That Changed Everything
James Westley Welch’s childhood and family background
James Westley Welch grew up in San Diego, California, where he was born in 1940. His mother, Tahnee Land, raised him alongside his three sisters: Jan, Jerry, and Judy. The family led a simple life, far removed from the glamor that would later surround his name. Nothing about his upbringing suggested connections to Hollywood or celebrity culture.
He attended La Jolla High School, but academics never captured his interest. In fact, James dropped out during his senior year, choosing a different path than most of his peers. School seemed less appealing than practical pursuits, and he eventually became a tuna fisherman, traveling as far as Peru for fishing trips. His calm demeanor and preference for action over academics shaped the trajectory of his early years.
Meeting Raquel Welch at La Jolla High School
The trajectory changed when James met Jo-Raquel Tejada at La Jolla High School. Both were 15 years old. She was a cheerleader; he played football. Their paths crossed naturally in the social circles of high school life. Raquel later recalled seeing him for the first time as she ran up the steps to her American government class.
Her description painted a vivid picture: wavy black hair, green eyes, and a cool demeanor that set him apart. The attraction was instant on her part. “From the first minute I saw him, I secretly knew that I was destined to have his babies,” she wrote in her memoir. As the stepson of Fed Mart Corporation’s founder, James was among the few boys at school who owned a car, which added to his appeal.
Their teenage love story and favorite moments
Their romance unfolded in typical teenage fashion, yet it held special meaning for both. James picked Raquel up each morning, and they drove to school together. After football games, the young couple joined friends for burgers and shakes, then found moments alone. “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke became their song, playing during make-out sessions in the car.
They attended school dances where, despite James’s quiet nature, they connected on the dance floor. Their relationship had an on-again, off-again quality, but the bond remained strong. Then James dropped out and went off on a tuna clipper to Peru. Raquel was heartbroken, though her father declared, “Good riddance!”.
Marriage, Starting a Family, and Life as Young Parents
The Las Vegas wedding in 1959
When James returned from Peru, their relationship rekindled. Raquel dropped out of college, and shortly after her high school graduation, the couple eloped to Las Vegas on May 8, 1959. She was 19 years old, an age she later described as “painfully young”. Her father opposed the union, but Raquel pushed forward anyway. “By marrying Jim, I was doing something for my own personal satisfaction and pretty much in defiance of my father’s wishes,” she recalled in her memoir.
The newlyweds settled into an apartment in Pacific Beach, tackling the realities of married life. James searched for employment while Raquel called her mother constantly for recipes and cleaning tips. Between her modeling and TV gigs, she cooked and maintained their small apartment.
Welcoming their children: Damon and Tahnee
Months after the wedding, Raquel fell pregnant. Their son, Damon Welch, was born on November 6, 1959. The couple experienced a brief separation, but reunited long enough to welcome their daughter, Latanne “Tahnee” Welch, on December 26, 1961. They named her after James’ mother, Tahnee Land.
Balancing careers and family responsibilities
Raquel juggled domestic duties with her growing career ambitions. She wanted to move to New York for theater productions, but James had different plans. Their priorities began to diverge as the entertainment world introduced new pressures.
Early signs of growing apart
Personality differences became more pronounced. Raquel was chatty; James remained quiet. He drank beer, something she never touched. James struggled to handle her rising profile. The couple separated in 1962 and divorced in 1964, with their young age and differing interests driving them apart.
The Divorce and Moving Forward Separately
Why Raquel Welch left James Westley Welch
Multiple factors contributed to the end of their marriage. Raquel was only 19 when she became a mother, describing it as a “painfully young age” that in part led to their split. Career ambitions clashed with James’ own ideas about their future. Raquel wanted to pursue acting and explore opportunities in Hollywood, while James preferred a quieter, more stable existence. “My breakup with Jim remains the most painful decision of my entire life,” she wrote in her memoir. The couple lacked the maturity and relationship tools needed to manage their love after the honeymoon phase ended.
Child of divorce herself, Raquel recognized the signs of an unhappy marriage affecting their children. After three and a half years, she knew the only way to leave was to get out of town. “I had to vanish. And I did,” she explained. She packed up Damon and Tahnee and headed to Los Angeles.
The 1964 divorce and its impact
The divorce was finalized in 1964. Despite the separation, Raquel famously kept his last name for the rest of her life. This decision spoke volumes about the significance of that chapter in her story.
Raquel’s lasting feelings for her first husband
“Jim would be my first true love, with all that it implies,” Raquel declared in her 2010 memoir. She added that he would be “unforgettable, always present love, against whom all others would be judged”.
The 1977 reunion after 15 years
James contacted Raquel in 1977, arranging their first meeting in fifteen years. The conversation centered on their children and futures rather than past conflicts. Both had found success in their respective paths, and the reunion demonstrated mature co-parenting.
Building Success Outside the Spotlight
From tuna fisherman to publicist and agent
Following the divorce, James Westley Welch focused on professional growth independent of Hollywood’s spotlight. His early work as a tuna fisherman taught him discipline and persistence. These qualities served him well when he transitioned into entertainment work as a publicist and agent, utilizing communication and business skills he had developed. The shift from manual labor to representation work demonstrated his adaptability.
Real estate career and financial achievements
James found his greatest success in real estate development during California’s booming market of the 1970s and 1980s. He invested in residential projects, building a reputation for sharp business decisions and financial wisdom. Through strategic investments and property management, he accumulated significant wealth, with his net worth reaching approximately $40 million by his passing.
Second marriage to Jean and private family life
James remarried a woman named Jean, and together they reportedly had a son. Unlike his first marriage, this relationship remained completely private. He chose a quiet, family-centered lifestyle focused on personal happiness rather than public attention. This second chapter represented balance and contentment on his own terms.
Death in 2019 and his lasting legacy
On November 23, 2019, James Westley Welch passed away at age 82 at the Legacy Nursing Center and Rehabilitation in Bryan, Texas. His death was as private as the life he had chosen. Those who knew him remembered a hardworking, humble man who built success through determination rather than fame.
How his children Damon and Tahnee carried forward his influence
Both children followed entertainment paths while maintaining their father’s grounded values. Damon Welch worked as an actor and producer on projects including productions associated with his mother. Tahnee Welch became a model and actress, gaining recognition for her role in the 1985 film Cocoon. She also appeared in magazines including Vogue and Italian Vogue. James maintained close relationships with both, offering guidance drawn from his own experiences.
Also Read: Juanita Saldívar
Conclusion
James Westley Welch lived a remarkable life that extended far beyond his marriage to Hollywood’s Raquel Welch. As a matter of fact, he built an impressive $40 million fortune through determination and business acumen rather than celebrity connections. His journey from high school sweetheart to successful real estate developer proves that some stories don’t need the spotlight to matter. Through his children and the woman who never stopped loving him, his legacy endures quietly yet powerfully.
FAQs
Q1. How long was Raquel Welch married to James Westley Welch?
Raquel Welch was married to James Westley Welch from 1959 to 1964, making it a five-year marriage. They eloped to Las Vegas on May 8, 1959, when she was just 19 years old, and their divorce was finalized in 1964. Despite the relatively short duration, this was her first marriage and James remained someone she described as her “first true love” against whom all others would be judged.
Q2. Did Raquel Welch have children with James Westley Welch?
Yes, Raquel Welch had two children with James Westley Welch. Their son, Damon Welch, was born on November 6, 1959, just months after their wedding. Their daughter, Latanne “Tahnee” Welch, was born on December 26, 1961. Both children went on to pursue careers in entertainment, with Damon working as an actor and producer, and Tahnee becoming a model and actress known for her role in the 1985 film Cocoon.
Q3. What did James Westley Welch do for a living?
James Westley Welch had a diverse career path. He started as a tuna fisherman, traveling as far as Peru for fishing trips. After his divorce from Raquel, he transitioned into entertainment work as a publicist and agent. However, his greatest success came in real estate development during California’s booming market of the 1970s and 1980s, where he made strategic investments in residential projects and accumulated a net worth of approximately $40 million.
Q4. Why did Raquel Welch keep James Welch’s last name?
Raquel Welch kept James Welch’s last name throughout her entire life and career, even after their 1964 divorce and her subsequent marriages. This decision reflected the deep significance of their relationship, as she considered James her “first true love” and “unforgettable, always present love.” The name became her professional identity and remained a lasting connection to the man who fathered her two children.
Q5. When did James Westley Welch pass away?
James Westley Welch passed away on November 23, 2019, at the age of 82 at the Legacy Nursing Center and Rehabilitation in Bryan, Texas. His death was as private as the life he had chosen to lead after his divorce from Raquel Welch. He was remembered by those who knew him as a hardworking, humble man who built his success through determination and business acumen rather than fame.