Dick Clark Had ‘Perfect Marriage’ With Wife Of 35 Years Who Stood By Him Through His Ailing Health

Jun 21, 2023 by apost team

Dick Clark needs no introduction. He was an icon in his own right. Dominating the airwaves on radio and television isn’t easy, but Clark made it look like a walk in the park. He was not only one of the biggest names in the media industry but made progressive changes and impacted many lives throughout his career.

Clark was born for the airwaves. What started as a temporary role filling in for a vacationing weatherman at a radio station turned into a lifelong career for the cultural icon. He went from hosting small shows on the radio to getting his big break when “Bandstand” was rebranded as “American Bandstand” by ABC. Clark’s demeanor and rapport when presenting the show endeared him to several viewers across age groups.  

Not only was he lauded for promoting the career of up-and-coming musicians on the show, but he was also credited for using his platform to make rock 'n' roll more mainstream. His presentation of rock ‘n’ roll made the genre of music more acceptable to the older population. The cultural icon progressed from his first major TV gig to hosting several shows, including “The Dick Clark Show,” “The $10,000 Pyramid” and “New Year's Rockin' Eve,” among others. 

Although Clark was successful in his career, his first two attempts at marital life didn’t quite mirror that success. However, his third marriage changed the narrative. He was married to his third wife, Kari Wigton, for 35 years, and she stayed with him through the good and bad times. Continue reading to see the details of their wholesome marriage.

Although it might have seemed like it, Clark’s life was not a bed of roses. The media icon went through his fair share of low moments severe enough to pull him down. However, he managed to keep his head above water. Clark’s first major blow in life was the loss of his only sibling, his brother, Bradley, who was killed in “Battle of the Bulge.”

After his brother’s demise, “America’s oldest living teenager,” as Clark was fondly called, went into a state of depression and grief-induced loneliness. In an interview with The New York Times Magazine, he summarized the details of his teenage years.

“I was in a depressed state. I lost my brother in the war, and I had a bad complexion. But I grew out of that very rapidly,”’ he said.

Clark’s life as an adult wasn’t spared from troubles either. Until he met his third wife, marital life was challenging for him. Clark was first married in 1952 to his high school sweetheart, Barbara Mallery. He tied the knot with her shortly after he landed a permanent role at a Christian radio station. The former high school sweethearts were married for nine years until 1961 when the union ended in divorce. Together, Clark and Mallery shared a son.

Barely one year after his first marriage ended, Clark gave love a second chance with his marriage to Loretta Martin in 1962. The couple was married for nine years until 1972 when they went their separate ways. Clark and Martin had two children together.

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After his first two marriages rolled off the rails and ended in divorce, the “New Year's Rockin' Eve” presenter lucked out on his third marriage to Wigton. 

Clark and Wigtom met in 1970 when she was an employee of Dick Clark Productions. In a joint interview with Extra TV, the lovebirds revealed that they began living together shortly after dating and continued to live together for seven years. 

In their seventh year of cohabitation, the couple decided to take their relationship to the next level. They tied the knot in 1977 and continued working closely with each other as Wigton had been promoted to Clark’s Executive assistant during their relationship. Clark and Wigton were a match made in heaven. Clark’s first son described it as the “perfect marriage.”

Clark’s earlier marriages failed due to his excessive devotion to work, but Wigton blended perfectly into his workaholic nature. She left notes in his pocket that had written instructions to guide him through his day. The evidence of their compatibility was clear to all, as seven friends and close acquaintances regularly commented on how the union impacted Clark positively.

“He’s tough, he can be moody, he’s a worrier, but I’m fairly happy and up nearly all the time, so we balance each other perfectly,” Wigton once noted.

The couple’s marriage continued to flourish through the years until 2004 when Clark had his first health scare. He suffered a stroke in his sleep that affected the motor functions on the right side of his body. Throughout his ailing health, Wigton was by Clark’s side, supporting him until he became progressively better. Although he regained the use of his motor skills, Clark’s health slowly deteriorated until he died in 2012.

What do you make of Dick Clark’s life and career? What do you think of Dick Clark and Kari Wigton’s marriage? Let us know — and be sure to pass this article on to friends, family members and Dick Clark’s fans.