Gena O’Kelley: Biography, Health Journey, and Life with Chuck Norris

Gena O’Kelley, born August 10, 1963, is an American former model, businesswoman, and television personality widely recognized as the wife of action star and martial artist Chuck Norris. Beyond her marriage to one of Hollywood’s most famous figures, Gena has built her own career in business and become an advocate for medical safety after experiencing severe health complications in 2013.

Early Life and Family Background

Gena O’Kelley was born in Ryan, Oklahoma, to Alan Gordon O’Kelley and Annette M. Kelly. Her father worked as a safety officer at Hewlett-Packard and Kunde Estate Winery before he died in 2008. Gena grew up with three siblings: her brother Eric and two sisters, Elizabeth and Maureen.

After completing high school, Gena entered the modeling industry, where her natural presence and professionalism earned her work with various brands and commercial campaigns. While details of her early modeling career remain limited, she built a modest following before transitioning to family life.

Gena stands 5 feet 5 inches (165 centimeters) tall. She has blonde hair and brown eyes. Her estimated net worth is between $1 million and $2 million, primarily from her modeling career, business ventures, and her role as CEO of CForce. Chuck Norris’s net worth is estimated at approximately $70 million.

First Marriage and Motherhood

Before meeting Chuck Norris, Gena was married to Gordon Hinschberger. From this marriage, she had two children: Kelley Gene Tagudin, born September 11, 1985, and Timothy Robert Hinschberger, born May 3, 1987. After her divorce, Gena raised her children as a working single mother, balancing career responsibilities with parenting.

Kelley now works as a third-grade teacher and lives in Navasota, Texas, with her own family. Timothy is married and remains close to the family while maintaining a private life focused on his interests in sports and animals.

Meeting Chuck Norris

Gena met Chuck Norris in 1997 under circumstances that have become part of their public story. Chuck was on a dinner date with another woman when Gena entered the restaurant. The following day, she appeared in a small role on his television series Walker, Texas Ranger. Chuck, impressed by Gena, asked his assistant to arrange a meeting.

Their initial friendship quickly developed into a romantic relationship. Despite their 23-year age difference—Gena was 35 and Chuck was 58 at the time—they married on November 28, 1998. As of 2026, they have been married for over 27 years.

Children and Blended Family

On August 30, 2001, Gena and Chuck welcomed fraternal twins: Dakota Alan Norris and Danilee Kelly Norris. Both children have pursued martial arts training, following their father’s discipline. Dakota holds a third-degree black belt in mixed martial arts and operates a YouTube channel focused on martial arts content. Danilee holds a second-degree black belt and maintains a more private lifestyle.

Gena is also stepmother to Chuck’s three children from previous relationships: Mike Norris (born 1962), Eric Norris (born 1965), and Dina DiCioli (born 1963). The blended family now includes 13 grandchildren.

Career as a Businesswoman and Television Personality

While Gena worked primarily as a model before her marriage, she later appeared in several television programs. Her credits include a role in Walker, Texas Ranger, as well as appearances on Yes, Dear (2003), Praise the Lord (2006), Hannity (2009), and TV2 Nyhetene (2019).

In 2015, Gena and Chuck founded CForce Bottling Co., a water bottling company based in Navasota, Texas. As CEO, Gena oversees operations of the company, which produces natural artesian water sourced from their Texas ranch. The business reflects their shared commitment to health and wellness.

Health Crisis and Gadolinium Exposure

In 2013, Gena underwent three MRI scans over eight days as part of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. She received injections of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) before each scan. Within hours of the first injection, Gena experienced severe burning pain throughout her body.

Over the following months, her symptoms worsened to include violent shaking, confusion, cognitive impairment, muscle weakness, and kidney damage. Gena and her doctors concluded she was suffering from gadolinium deposition disease, a condition where the heavy metal accumulates in body tissues.

Chuck Norris stepped away from his acting career to care for his wife full-time. He researched treatment options extensively and supported Gena through various therapies aimed at alleviating her symptoms. The couple spent an estimated $2 million seeking treatments and specialists.

Legal Action and Voluntary Dismissal

In 2017, Chuck and Gena filed a lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court against 11 healthcare and pharmaceutical companies, including Bracco Diagnostics. They sought more than $10 million in damages, alleging that manufacturers failed to adequately warn patients about the risks of gadolinium retention.

The lawsuit drew significant media attention and brought public focus to concerns about gadolinium safety. However, in January 2020, the couple voluntarily dismissed their lawsuit against all defendants. No settlement was paid by either party, and both sides agreed to cover their own legal costs. The reasons for the dismissal were not publicly disclosed.

Despite the lawsuit’s conclusion, regulatory agencies worldwide have since implemented stricter warnings and restrictions on certain types of gadolinium-based contrast agents, particularly linear formulations believed to pose higher retention risks.

Advocacy and Philanthropy

Gena has used her platform to raise awareness about medical imaging safety and the importance of informed consent. She and Chuck have spoken publicly about their experience, encouraging patients to ask questions about medications and procedures.

Together, Gena and Chuck co-chair Kickstart Kids, a nonprofit organization founded in 1990 (originally named Kick Drugs Out of America Foundation). The program teaches character development through karate instruction in schools across Texas. More than 100,000 students have participated since its inception.

The couple also supports veterans’ organizations and cancer research initiatives. Their charitable work remains an important focus of their post-Hollywood lives.

Current Life in 2026

As of 2026, Gena lives with Chuck in Texas, where they maintain a largely private lifestyle. Her health has stabilized, though she continues to manage residual symptoms from her 2013 exposure. The couple celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary in November 2024.

Gena stays active in CForce’s operations and continues her involvement with Kickstart Kids, though she maintains a low public profile. She rarely uses social media but occasionally appears in photos Chuck shares on his Instagram account.

Friends describe their relationship as deeply devoted. In December 2024, sources close to the couple told media outlets that Chuck and Gena wanted 2025 to be their “most special year ever,” focusing on family time, outdoor activities like camping and fishing, and continued philanthropic work.

Public Perception and Influence

Despite limited public appearances in recent years, Gena remains respected for her strength in facing health adversity and her commitment to raising awareness about patient safety. Her willingness to speak openly about her medical experience has provided validation for others reporting similar symptoms after gadolinium exposure.

Her marriage to Chuck Norris, which has endured for nearly three decades despite significant age differences and health challenges, is often cited as an example of commitment and partnership in Hollywood, where long-lasting marriages are relatively uncommon.

Conclusion

Gena O’Kelley’s life reflects quiet strength and purpose. From her early career as a model to her current roles as business leader, philanthropist, and advocate, she has built an identity separate from her famous husband while supporting their shared values of family, faith, and service. Her experience with gadolinium toxicity transformed her into an unexpected voice for medical safety, demonstrating how personal hardship can lead to broader advocacy. At 62 years old in 2026, Gena continues to focus on health, family, and charitable work, maintaining a private life centered on the relationships and causes that matter most to her.

Note: This information reflects the most widely verified and recent reports available.