Laura Diebel: the verified story of Tim Allen’s first wife
Laura Diebel, whose name appears as Laura Deibel in court reporting, is the first wife of actor and comedian Tim Allen. She married him in 1984, years before Home Improvement made him famous. She filed for legal separation in 1999, and the divorce was settled in March 2003. They have one daughter, Katherine “Kady” Allen, born in 1989.
Her name is spelled two ways online. IMDb lists her as Laura Diebel. The Associated Press, reporting on the divorce in 2003, spelled it Deibel. Most biography sites use Deibel. Both refer to the same person, and this page covers what the public record supports about her.
Quick facts
| Detail | Verified information |
|---|---|
| Name | Laura Diebel (also spelled Deibel) |
| Born | November 12, 1956 (per IMDb) |
| Known for | First wife of Tim Allen |
| Married | Tim Allen, April 7, 1984 |
| Legal separation filed | 1999, Los Angeles Superior Court |
| Divorce settled | March 2003 |
| Daughter | Katherine “Kady” Allen, born 1989 |
| Screen credits | Herself, Golden Globes 50th Anniversary Celebration (1994) |
Her birthplace, education, and career are not confirmed by reliable sources, so they are left out of the table.
Who is Laura Diebel?
People magazine describes her as Allen’s college sweetheart. She was married to him for 19 years, covering his entire rise from Detroit comedy clubs to one of the biggest stars on television. When they married in 1984, he was a stand-up comic working the Michigan circuit. By the time she filed for separation, he had finished eight seasons of Home Improvement and voiced Buzz Lightyear in two Toy Story films.
She was occasionally seen with him at events during those years. IMDb credits her as herself in a 1994 Golden Globes anniversary special. But she never pursued a public career and has not given interviews.
Marriage to Tim Allen (1984–2003)
The couple married on April 7, 1984. Their marriage lasted through the most important years of Allen’s career.
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1984 | She marries Tim Allen on April 7 |
| 1989 | Daughter Katherine “Kady” Allen is born |
| 1991 | Home Improvement premieres on ABC |
| 1994 | The Santa Clause is released |
| 1995 | Allen voices Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story |
| 1999 | Home Improvement ends. Toy Story 2 and Galaxy Quest are released. Laura files for legal separation |
| 2003 | The divorce is settled before trial |
In the early 1990s, Allen was one of the most bankable names in entertainment. Being married to him during that stretch meant life around a hit TV series, major film releases, and constant press attention.
The 1999 separation and 2003 divorce
The divorce is the best-documented part of her public story, thanks to wire service coverage at the time.
According to an Associated Press report published in March 2003:
- She filed for legal separation in 1999 in Los Angeles Superior Court.
- She cited irreconcilable differences.
- The couple reached a settlement just before a trial was set to begin.
- The court confirmed the settlement, and its terms were not disclosed.
- They shared custody of their daughter, who was 13 at the time.
That means the process took nearly four years from filing to settlement. Neither side commented publicly when it ended.
Laura has never given her own account of the marriage or the split.
What about the reasons for the split?
Many biography sites claim to know exactly why the marriage ended. Some blame Allen’s work schedule, and others point to his struggles with alcohol in the late 1990s. Allen has discussed his sobriety publicly, and his 1997 drunk-driving arrest is on the record. But no reliable source ties any single cause to the separation. The only documented reason is the one in the court filing: irreconcilable differences.
Her daughter, Katherine “Kady” Allen
Katherine Allen, known as Kady, is Tim Allen’s oldest child. People has also referred to her as Katherine Dick, since Allen’s legal surname is Dick. IMDb lists her birth year as 1989. Biography sites disagree on the exact date, with some saying October 6 and others December, and none cite a record.
Kady has occasionally appeared with her father in public over the years. She is now an adult and not a public figure, so this page leaves her personal life out.
Tim Allen later remarried. He wed actress Jane Hajduk in 2006, and they have a daughter, Elizabeth, born in 2009.
Tim Allen’s marriages and children
| Spouse | Married | Ended | Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Diebel (Deibel) | 1984 | 2003 | Katherine “Kady” (born 1989) |
| Jane Hajduk | 2006 | Still married | Elizabeth Allen-Dick (born 2009) |
Laura Diebel facts vs claims
Online profiles of her mix a few documented facts with a lot of guesswork. Here is how the most repeated claims hold up.
| Claim | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Married Tim Allen on April 7, 1984 | Supported | Listed on IMDb. AP confirms 1984 |
| Filed for separation in 1999 | Supported | AP report, Los Angeles Superior Court |
| Divorce settled in March 2003 | Supported | AP report. IMDb lists March 1, 2003 |
| Shared custody of daughter | Supported | AP report |
| Born November 12, 1956 | Supported by IMDb | No other primary source |
| Born in Omena, Michigan | Unconfirmed | Repeated without a source |
| Was Allen’s college sweetheart | Supported | People describes her this way. Allen attended Western Michigan University |
| Stood by Allen through his 1978 arrest and prison term | Unconfirmed | No source shows they were together then |
| Worked as a sales manager | Unsupported | No source given |
| CEO of Tim Allen Signature Tools | Unsupported | No source given |
| Received primary custody | Contradicted | AP reported shared custody |
| Kady born October 6 or in December 1989 | Unclear | Sites disagree, and none cite a record |
The custody claim is a good example of how these pages drift. Several sites say Laura received primary custody, but the only contemporary news report says the couple shared custody.
What we left out
This page does not list her current city, relationships, social media, or work. Some sites link social media accounts to her, but none are verified as hers, and she has not chosen to be a public figure. Publishing guesses about a private person’s current life would not make this page more accurate or more useful.
Where is Laura Diebel now?
She has lived privately since the divorce and has never spoken publicly about her marriage. There is no verified public account in her name.
What can be said is that she and Tim Allen raised their daughter through a shared custody arrangement. Neither has publicly criticized the other since the split.
The bottom line
Her public story is short. She married Tim Allen in 1984, was with him through Home Improvement and Toy Story, filed for separation in 1999, and settled the divorce in 2003. They share a daughter, Kady.
If you are researching her, start with the 2003 AP report on the divorce settlement. Be skeptical of pages that list her hometown, career titles, or custody details without naming a source, especially when they contradict what was reported at the time.
FAQs about Laura Diebel
Who is Laura Diebel?
Laura Diebel, also spelled Deibel, is Tim Allen’s first wife. They were married from 1984 to 2003.
Is it Laura Diebel or Laura Deibel?
Both spellings appear in public records regarding this celebrity. IMDb uses Diebel, while the 2003 Associated Press report on the divorce used Deibel.
When did Tim Allen and Laura Diebel divorce?
She filed for legal separation in 1999, and the divorce was settled in March 2003.
Do Tim Allen and his first wife have children?
Yes. They have one daughter, Katherine “Kady” Allen, born in 1989.
Why did Tim Allen and Laura Diebel divorce?
The court filing cited irreconcilable differences. Neither has publicly given a more detailed reason.
Who is Tim Allen married to now?
Tim Allen has been married to actress Jane Hajduk since 2006.
How long was Tim Allen’s first marriage?
They were married for about 19 years, from April 1984 to March 2003.
JacksonPadilla is a writer at Around Celebrities, covering celebrity families, relationships, biographies, and the stories behind the stars. With a focus on clear and engaging storytelling, JacksonPadilla helps readers discover the people and connections beyond the spotlight.
