Professionally, James Westley found success as a publicist and agent. However, it was his marriage to the actress Raquel Welch that often puts him in the spotlight. The high school sweethearts got married in 1959 but eventually divorced in 1964. Though their marriage was brief, it saw the birth of two children Damon Welch and Tahnee Welch.
While you’ll soon learn more about James, his ex-wife Raquel doesnt need so much introduction. She found fame in the 1960s as an actress and even became known as a Hollywood sex symbol after her role in the 1967 British film “One Million Years B.C”. This movie later opened doors to some of her major roles in films and TV shows such as “Bedazzled”, Bandolero”, “100 Rifles” and “The Three Musketeers”.
There’s no doubt that Raquel had a successful career. However, her lovelife didn’t share in this fate. After her divorce from James, she went into three other marriages which also failed. She passed away in 2023 after a brief illness and fans are wondering what her first love has been up to in recent times.
A Brief Biography of James Westley
James Westley Welch, also known as James Welch, was born on January 29, 1937, in Pike, Missouri. He grew up in Missouri with his parents, William Westley Welch and Rena Adkins Welch. Unfortunately, there is limited information available about his early life and upbringing.
Details about James Westley Welch’s education pursuits are also scarce. However, it is known that he attended La Jolla High School in California, where he would meet his future wife, Raquel Welch. It was during their time at La Jolla High School that their paths crossed, and a deep connection was formed.
What Does He Do for a Living?
Raquel Welch’s ex-husband, James Westley began his career as a tuna fisherman. However, that wasn’t his true passion as he eventually transitioned into public relations and became a publicist and agent. Although specific details about the companies he worked for are not readily available, it is evident that he made a significant impact in the industry.
Throughout his career as a publicist and agent, James Westley Welch worked behind the scenes, helping to promote and raise awareness for various brands and companies. He was responsible for managing the public image and reputation of his clients.
While James Westley Welch’s professional accomplishments were noteworthy, he gained much of his fame from being the ex-husband of the iconic actress Raquel Welch. Their relationship captured the attention of the public, and their marriage and subsequent divorce became a topic of interest for many.
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James Westley and Raquel Welch First Met in Highschool
As hinted earlier, James Westley and Raquel Welch were once a couple. The pair first met when they were both students at La Jolla High School and soon became friends. Raquel revealed in her memoir “Beyond the Cleavage” that she knew from the moment she saw him that she was destined to have his babies.
She also added that the feeling was mutual as he also felt a magical pull towards her. Aside from being her prince charming, he was also one of the few boys in school with a car, which was a plus for him.
As teenagers, the two drove to school together in the morning and spent a lot of time together. Unfortunately, their high school love soon ended in their senior year when James dropped out of school and went off on a tuna clipper to Peru which left Raquel heartbroken.
After high school, James pursued a career as a tuna fisherman, which took him away from Raquel for extended periods. Despite the distance, their love endured, and they maintained their connection through heartfelt letters. However, the strain of their separation began to take its toll on their relationship.
Nonetheless, the pair managed to keep in touch and maintained their connection through heartfelt letters. James and Raquel later reconnected on James returned and she decided to drop out of San Diego State College to be with her sweetheart leaving her parents unhappy.
The Pair Were Married Between 1959 and 1964
True to what Raquel had envisioned, the pair finally got married in 1959. Their marriage was held in Las Vagas and was witnessed by close friends and family. Unfortunately, their marriage was short-lived and only lasted until 1961 when they separated and subsequently divorced in 1964.
Despite their short marriage, the pair welcomed two children her son Damon Welch and daughter Tahnee Welch.
Following their separation, Raquel moved to Los Angeles with her children to pursue her career in the entertainment industry. Reports say that it took her only three years to become one of the sought-after actresses in the industry and also a Hollywood sex symbol.
A few years after the divorce, James’ ex-wife got married to her second husband Patrick Curtis in 196 but their marriage ended in 1972. She later went into another marriage with the French filmmaker, Andre Weinfeld in 1980 and after a decade the pair divorced. The third man Raquel married was Richard Palmer in 1999 however this marriage also did not last long as they separated in 2003.
Contrarily, her ex-husband James managed to keep his lovelife away from the public and it’s not known if he went into another marriage.
What is James Westley up to at the Moment?
After their divorce, James Westley Welch went on to lead a successful as the president of a multi-dollar conglomerate, Although he may not have achieved the same level of fame as his ex-wife Raquel Welch, he found his path and success from it.
The pair reconnected in 1977 after 15 years 15-year-long separation and had a long-overdue conversation, primarily focused on their children. According to the actress, James remains her first true love. In turn, the former tuna fisherman agreed that he was a bastard a lot of times to her but noted that they were kids in love and their union was beautiful.
Throughout the years, James remained involved in his children’s lives but mostly lived a low-profile life from the public
On the other hand, his ex-wife Raquel Welch continued to make a few more appearances after she retired from acting in 2017. Unfortunately, she passed away in 2023 following a brief illness. Raquel was 82 years old at the time of her passing and was surrounded by close friends and family members.