The late Jerry Springer leaves behind a legacy — and many friends and family members who cherished their time with the provocative talk show host.
Two loved ones survived by Springer — who died Thursday at 79 after battling pancreatic cancer — include his ex-wife, Micki Velton, and their daughter, Katie Springer.
Jerry married Velton in 1973. When they met, she was working for Proctor and Gamble, while Jerry was serving on the Cincinnati City Council, according to Hollywood Life.
He eventually was elected as the city’s mayor and served one term.
Velton ultimately called it quits on her marriage with Jerry in 1994, as his broadcast career began taking off. He had pivoted from politics to helm his pioneering daytime program known for its controversial interviews, belligerent guests and studio brawls.
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After Jerry and Velton divorced, the latter retreated from the spotlight entirely. Other than Velton’s 21-year union with Jerry, not much else is known about her.
Jerry never remarried after splitting from Velton. However, he implied in a 2021 interview with Hollywood Life that he was in another marriage.
“No comedian does a tour of nursing homes,” he said, discussing his stand-up career. “And I’m thinking if I did that, first of all, I wouldn’t have any problem then with keep telling the same old jokes. Because no one in the home’s going to remember you.”
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Then came the mention of his apparent spouse: “That’s my new, in fact, my wife and I, we talk about it. And when we’re looking for a home, it’s got to the one that has a social program.”
Although it’s unclear if Jerry tied the knot with another woman, he only had one child: 47-year-old Katie. He and Velton welcomed her in 1976, three years after exchanging vows.
Katie, much like her mother, did not relish in Jerry’s fame and has lived her life out of the public eye.
According to GH Gossip, the educator is legally blind and deaf in one ear and has spent more than a decade assisting children with special needs.
She reportedly got married in 2006, though details about her spouse remain unclear. GH Gossip reports that the couple shares a son named Richard, who was born in 2008, rendering Jerry a grandfather.
The “Jerry Springer Show” host passed away peacefully at his Chicago home this week, his family announced.
“Jerry’s ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried whether that was politics, broadcasting or just joking with people on the street who wanted a photo or a word,” said Jene Galvin, a lifelong friend and spokesman for the family.
“He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on.”
Plans for a funeral and memorial gathering have not been announced yet.