admin James Westley Welch was not a Hollywood star, but his name is forever linked with one of the most famous actresses in the world, Raquel Welch. Many people know Raquel as a 1960s beauty icon, yet few know about her first husband, who gave her the last name she carried all her life. This article tells the complete biography of James Westley Welch, his relationship with Raquel, their children, his career, and what happened after their divorce.
Quick Bio Table
| Fact | Details |
| Full Name | James Westley Welch (also spelled Wesley) |
| Born | January 29, 1937 |
| Place of Birth | USA (likely California) |
| Died | November 23, 2019 |
| Famous For | First husband of Raquel Welch |
| Marriage Date | May 8, 1959 |
| Divorce Date | 1964 |
| Children | Damon Welch, Tahnee Welch |
| Career | Reported as real estate developer, businessman |
| Connection to Fame | Gave Raquel her surname “Welch” |
| Legacy | Remembered as Raquel’s first love |
| Residence | Later life in Texas (reported) |
| Notable Relation | Husband of Raquel Welch (1959–1964) |
Early Life of James Westley Welch
James Westley Welch was born in the United States in 1937. While not much is recorded about his childhood, reports say he grew up in California, close to where Raquel also lived as a teenager. Some stories describe him as a handsome young man who enjoyed life by the sea. Local accounts say he even worked on tuna-fishing boats, a tough but common job in San Diego.
What stands out is that James was an ordinary man before being tied to fame. Unlike Raquel, who always dreamed of being on stage, James lived a more traditional life. This difference in their ambitions later played a role in their relationship.
Meeting Raquel Tejada
In the late 1950s, Raquel Tejada—who would later become Raquel Welch—was a bright, young beauty queen in La Jolla, California. She met James Westley Welch when they were both teenagers. He became her high-school sweetheart, and their romance grew quickly. Their love was simple at first, not shaped by the spotlight, but by young passion and dreams.
Raquel later wrote in her memoir that James was “gorgeous” and her first true love. Even after her rise to fame, she admitted he had a special place in her heart.
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Marriage to Raquel Welch
On May 8, 1959, James Westley Welch married Raquel in Las Vegas. She was only 18 years old. Soon after, they began a family together. In the same year, their son Damon Welch was born on November 6, 1959. Two years later, on December 26, 1961, their daughter Latanne “Tahnee” Welch was born.
This marriage changed Raquel’s life. It gave her the last name Welch, which she kept even after becoming famous. Her managers later advised her not to change it, as the name was easy to remember and had strong appeal for Hollywood.
Family Life and Struggles
At first, the young couple tried to build a normal life. James Westley Welch worked to support his family while Raquel raised the children. But the pressures of marriage and their different goals soon created tension. Raquel dreamed of acting, while James wanted a more settled lifestyle.
By 1962, they separated. The divorce was finalized in 1964, only five years after their wedding. Raquel left with her children and focused on her career, which would soon take off in a big way.
Career of James Westley Welch
After the divorce, James Westley Welch lived outside of Hollywood’s spotlight. Raquel mentioned in her book that James later became a real estate developer and earned good money. Other sources also connect him with investments and business ventures.
Although James was never a celebrity, he lived a successful private life. He stayed away from the media but remained known because of his connection with Raquel Welch, who became a superstar in films like One Million Years B.C.
Connection to Raquel’s Fame
One lasting impact of James Westley Welch on Raquel was his surname. She kept the name Welch throughout her career, and it became part of her identity as an actress. Without that connection, the world might never have known her as Raquel Welch.
Even though they divorced, Raquel often spoke kindly of James. She described him as her first love, a man who gave her the experience of family before she became famous. Their children also carried his last name, continuing the Welch legacy.
Children of James and Raquel Welch
The couple had two children who both became connected with the entertainment industry:
- Damon Welch (born November 6, 1959): Known for appearances in events and interviews connected with his famous mother.
- Tahnee Welch (born December 26, 1961): Became an actress and model, best known for her role in Cocoon (1985).
Through these children, James Westley Welch remained part of Hollywood’s family tree, even though he himself avoided the spotlight.
Life After Divorce
After separating from Raquel, James Westley Welch did not remarry a celebrity. Some sources suggest he lived in Texas later in life and built a career in business. Reports claim he remarried a woman named Jean and continued a private lifestyle.
He passed away in 2019, though public records show small differences in spelling of his name—sometimes written as James Wesley Welch instead of Westley.
Legacy of James Westley Welch
Though not famous in his own right, James Westley Welch played an important role in shaping the image of Raquel Welch. He gave her a family, two children, and the name that became legendary.
His story shows how even those outside the spotlight can deeply influence Hollywood history. Without James, Raquel might have followed a different path, perhaps even under a different name.
Relationship in Raquel’s Words
In her memoir Raquel: Beyond the Cleavage, Raquel said she still felt James was her first true love. She described him as a man who was both handsome and charming, someone who helped shape her early years.
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Although their marriage ended, the memories stayed. Raquel even admitted that she sometimes compared later relationships to the one she had with James Westley Welch.
Conclusion
The story of James Westley Welch is more than just being the first husband of Raquel Welch. He was a young man who fell in love with a rising beauty queen, built a family with her, and unknowingly gave her the name that would become world famous. Their marriage may have ended, but their connection never disappeared. Through their children and Raquel’s words, James Westley Welch remains an important part of her history.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who was James Westley Welch?
He was the first husband of actress Raquel Welch and father of her two children.
2. When did James Westley Welch and Raquel marry?
They married on May 8, 1959, in Las Vegas.
3. How many children did James and Raquel have?
They had two children: Damon and Tahnee Welch.
4. Did James Westley Welch remarry after Raquel?
Yes, reports say he remarried and lived a private life outside Hollywood.
5. Why is James Westley Welch important?
He gave Raquel her famous surname and was her first love, shaping her early life.
