Kathryn Burrhus: The Hidden Truth Behind Stone Cold’s First Marriage

Stone Cold Steve Austin dominated wrestling rings worldwide, yet Kathryn Burrhus remains one of the lesser-known figures in the WWE legend’s personal history. Texas native Burrhus was born on August 29, 1952, in Austin. The future wrestling superstar married her on November 24, 1990, at a small, intimate Texas ceremony.

Their marriage lasted barely two years before ending in divorce on August 7, 1992. The couple’s separation stood out from typical celebrity breakups because they handled it quietly and respectfully, without public drama or controversy. Kathryn’s story took an interesting turn as she chose privacy after the divorce. She stepped away from the limelight and maintained a low profile, leaving many fans wondering about her journey[-3]. This piece uncovers everything in Kathryn’s life, her relationship with the wrestling icon, and the aftermath of their brief marriage.

Early Life and Background of Kathryn Burrhus

Birthplace and upbringing in Austin, Texas

Kathryn Burrhus was born on August 29, 1952, in Austin, Texas. She grew up in a modest, tight-knit community that shaped her life’s view. Her childhood home became the foundation of traditional American values. Family bonds, education, and personal integrity were paramount in her early years.

People who knew Kathryn as a child paint a picture of a simple yet peaceful upbringing. Small-town Texas life’s community spirit and warmth defined her early years. These surroundings helped promote qualities that would become her hallmarks in adulthood – humility, groundedness, and appreciation for life’s simple pleasures rather than material things.

Education and personality traits

Kathryn’s high school years at Edna High School in Edna, Texas, quickly set her apart from her peers. Her classmates remember her exceptional intelligence, kind heart, and dedication to studies. Her commitment to personal growth and learning showed through her academic focus and determination.

Kathryn’s personal qualities went beyond academic achievement. People around her consistently described her as calm, supportive, and mature beyond her years. Her independent nature and compassionate character made her unique among her peers. She managed to keep a reserved demeanor and valued genuine relationships over shallow ones.

How she met Steve Austin in high school

Kathryn Burrhus and Steve Williams (later known as Steve Austin) met in Edna High School’s hallways. Their original encounter happened when Steve was a freshman and Kathryn was a junior. The two-year age gap made Steve doubt his chances with her at first.

Steve Austin’s 2001 memoir, The Stone Cold Truth, reveals his instant attraction to Kathryn. “She was just a super smart person. I immediately fell in love with her. She was pretty… and I was thinking, ‘God, how am I going to meet this girl?'” Austin wrote. Tennis provided an unexpected solution. The school’s tennis coach invited Steve and his friend to play, creating the perfect chance to meet Kathryn, who already played on the tennis team.

Their relationship grew naturally from this strategic introduction. The two became inseparable, and their high school romance centered on mutual support and shared dreams. Their friends often called them the “perfect couple” – they were loyal, affectionate, and deeply connected.

Marriage to Steve Austin: A Supportive Beginning

Steve Austin and Kathryn Burrhus dated through high school and college before taking their relationship to the next level. Their love story hit a milestone when they tied the knot on November 24, 1990, in a modest Texas ceremony. The celebration stayed true to their roots—simple and heartfelt, with just their closest family and friends.

Wedding details and early married life

The couple started their married life with simplicity. Steve was nowhere near becoming the wrestling icon fans would later know as “Stone Cold.” He was just a young athlete who worked hard to make his mark in the wrestling world. Their early days together were filled with hope as they worked through the uncertainties of Austin’s emerging career.

Kathryn’s role during Austin’s early wrestling career

Kathryn showed steadfast dedication during 1990-1991 while Steve trained under wrestling legend Chris Adams at the Dallas Sportatorium. She watched his early matches and gave him emotional support during his time with World Class Championship Wrestling. She became the rock Austin needed to chase his professional dreams.

Austin’s career picked up speed, and Kathryn managed to keep their home life stable. She created a peaceful retreat from wrestling’s physical demands. Her down-to-earth nature went together with one another with his growing ambition—a balance that worked well for their relationship at first.

Challenges of balancing personal life and wrestling

Steve signed with World Championship Wrestling in 1991 as “Stunning” Steve Austin, and his rising career became more demanding. The lifestyle of a professional wrestler started putting their marriage to the test. The long hours, endless travel, and physical exhaustion left little time to nurture their relationship.

Austin reflected on this strain in his memoir The Stone Cold Truth: “We were good for 10 years. Then I got this wrestling bug, and Kathy was not a wrestling fan. That was the beginning of the end for us”. His growing fame and its pressures slowly created an emotional gap between them, hinting at the challenges they would face.

The Divorce: When Careers and Relationships Collide

Kathryn Burrhus and Steve Austin’s marriage started with promise but faced growing challenges. Their relationship couldn’t survive Austin’s faster growing wrestling career, which showed how hard it was to balance personal life with professional success.

Timeline and reasons for separation

Austin’s signing with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as “Stunning” Steve Austin in 1991 changed everything in their marriage. His rising fame demanded constant travel, tough training schedules, and long absences from home. The relationship dynamics changed as Austin dove deeper into wrestling while Kathryn managed to keep her quiet, private lifestyle.

Emotional toll and mutual decision

The couple grew apart during their short marriage. Austin explained in his autobiography The Stone Cold Truth, “We were good for 10 years. Then I got this wrestling bug, and Kathy was not a wrestling fan. That was the beginning of the end for us”. Their divorce became final on August 7, 1992, less than two years after their wedding.

Public reaction and media coverage

Their breakup stood out from typical celebrity divorces because it stayed drama-free. The wrestling community and media respected their privacy and barely covered the split. Both parties wanted to move forward quietly, and they succeeded.

Life After Divorce: A Private Path Chosen

After her 1992 divorce from Steve Austin, Kathryn Burrhus made an unusual choice that sets her apart from other celebrity ex-spouses—she stepped away from public life completely.

Why Kathryn stayed out of the spotlight

Most people use their celebrity connections to gain fame, but Kathryn thought over a different path. She wanted nothing to do with interviews, media appearances, or social media platforms. Her peaceful life away from wrestling’s chaotic world became her priority. This choice showed her steadfast dedication to personal boundaries and dignity instead of chasing fame. She lived life on her own terms, proving her independent spirit and values meant more than wrestling fame.

Speculations about her career and lifestyle

Details about Kathryn’s life after divorce remain mysterious. Some sources say she stayed in Texas and focused on personal or community activities. Nobody knows much about her work life. People guess she might run local businesses or work as an entrepreneur, but these are just theories without proof. Her estimated worth ranges between USD 200,000 and USD 1 million, though these numbers need verification. She has no confirmed social media accounts.

Public respect for her privacy

Wrestling fans and media respect Kathryn’s choice to stay private. Her silence stands out today when everyone writes tell-all books or stars in reality shows. Her story highlights the challenges that people face when connected to celebrities. Her dignified approach over the decades has become part of who she is.

Mentions in Steve Austin’s later life

Steve Austin’s 2001 memoir The Stone Cold Truth talks about meeting Kathryn when he was a freshman at Edna High School. Their paths never crossed again, but her name shows up in stories about Austin’s early days. Austin went on to marry three more times—Jeanie Clarke in December 1992, Debra Marshall in 2000, and finally Kristin Feres in 2009.

Conclusion

Kathryn Burrhus stands out among wrestling celebrities because she chose to stay away from that world completely. She and Stone Cold Steve Austin divorced before his meteoric rise to fame. Their story started in high school where they became sweethearts. The relationship lasted over a decade and ended up in a short marriage that crumbled under the weight of Austin’s growing wrestling career.

Their split led them down two completely different paths. Austin dove into the spotlight and became one of wrestling’s biggest stars while going through several marriages. Kathryn chose a quieter road and built her life around privacy and personal boundaries. Their contrasting choices show a simple truth about relationships with celebrities – some people flourish in fame’s shadow while others find peace in staying anonymous.

Kathryn Burrhus’s story reminds us that quiet stories exist behind famous personalities. She walked away from public attention with grace, which shows her true character and values. Wrestling fans often wonder about her current life, but her ability to maintain privacy for over 30 years deserves respect rather than curiosity.

Her role in wrestling history may seem small compared to Austin’s legendary career. In spite of that, her story holds equal value – she found courage to walk away and live life on her own terms instead of being known through celebrity connection. Her strength shines through not in what we know about her life today, but in what we respectfully don’t know.

FAQs

Q1. How many marriages has Stone Cold Steve Austin had? Stone Cold Steve Austin has been married four times. His first marriage was to Kathryn Burrhus, followed by marriages to Jeanie Clarke, Debra Marshall, and his current wife, Kristin Feres.

Q2. Who was Stone Cold Steve Austin’s first wife? Kathryn Burrhus was Stone Cold Steve Austin’s first wife. They were high school sweethearts who married on November 24, 1990, but divorced less than two years later on August 7, 1992.

Q3. How did Steve Austin meet Kathryn Burrhus? Steve Austin met Kathryn Burrhus in high school. They both attended Edna High School in Texas, where Austin, as a freshman, strategically joined the tennis team to meet Kathryn, who was a junior at the time.

Q4. Why did Kathryn Burrhus and Steve Austin divorce? The main reason for their divorce was the strain put on their relationship by Austin’s growing wrestling career. The demands of constant travel, rigorous training schedules, and extended periods away from home created an emotional distance between them.

Q5. What happened to Kathryn Burrhus after her divorce from Steve Austin? After her divorce from Steve Austin, Kathryn Burrhus chose a path of privacy. She completely stepped away from public life, avoiding interviews, media appearances, and social media platforms. Her current lifestyle and career remain largely unknown, as she has maintained her privacy for over three decades.