Who does not recognize the "Little House on the Prairie" heartthrob Michael Landon? Being one of the biggest Hollywood stars of the 70s, every part of Michael's life hit the headlines. Without a surprise, his first wife, Dodie Levy Fraser, was also a massive part of the star's life.
And while Michael has already established an ever-living legacy for himself, here, we will talk about his wife Dodie. Please keep reading to learn more about the actor/songwriter and Dodie's long relationship, their journey in stardom, and the daunting reasons they split.
Who is Dodie Levy Fraser?
Born Dodie Levy Fresher on auspicious March 16, 1933, to Nissim Levy and Victoria "Dora" Samuel Levy. The star's wife spent her childhood days in the city of 'dreams,' New York city.
She wasn't the only child as she grew up alongside her siblings Mary Levy Rugraffe and Solomon Isaac "Solly" Levy. Levy had to bid her oldest sister a farewell with a heavy heart as she passed away in 1989.
The youngest Fraser was into musicals and theaters since her primary school days. It is reported that she participated in various plays and always gave outstanding performances. However, Fraser never professionally pursued acting but worked as a legal secretary in her adulthood.
Her first marriage was around 1945, and she had Mark Landon from her first marriage. Then, she met Michael, and the rest is history.
How Did A Simple New Yorker Marry The 70s Heartthrob Landon?
If you're wondering how a regular secretary married a famous actor, we have an exciting story for you. The lovebirds first met and matched before Michael scored big on the Hollywood screens. Yes! She was there for Landon before he became famous.
CAPTION: Late Michael Landon with his first wife Dodie Levy Fraser looking at each other lovingly SOURCE: Instagram from @angelmichaellandon36 On March 11, 1956, Dodie and Michael said 'I DO' to each other in a small wedding ceremony attended by their family and close friends. Dodie's then-husband Michael had begun his career in show business simultaneously, landing his first role in the television series Telephone Time.
Michael adopted Mark Landon as soon as they were married. After four years of marriage, the couple decided to have a family and adopted Josh Fraser Landon as an infant. Josh was born on February 11, 1960. It was until their relationship appeared to be on the mend.
Also Read: Sondra Theodore's Controversial Relationship With Hugh Hefner-Details Here
The Highway To Heaven Actor Failed to Balance His Work And Family
Following a flourishing Hollywood career that included long-running roles for Michael, the actor could not handle his marriage, which began to fall apart. Landon had also established a romance with his then-second wife, Marjorie Lynn Noe, in the early 1960s. The actor was still married to Dodie at the time.
CAPTION: Late Michael Landon with his second Lynn Noe posing for a picture together SOURCE: Instagram from @michaellandonfan In March 1962, the Bonanza star filed for divorce which was finalized in December of the same year. Landon finally divorced his first wife and married Marjorie in 1963.
Gimme a little kiss singer married his second wife Lynn Noe on January 12, 1963, just a few months after they started dating. Their marriage ended in divorce as well. However, the two had five children being together. One of them is Christopher Beau Landon, a renowned film director, and producer.
He married for a third time with a Hollywood makeup artist, Cindy Clerico. He passed away at the age of fifty-four while he was still married to his third wife. Similar to Michael, Dodie has also been married three times.
After her divorce from the celebrity, she got hitched to Dr. Peter Lake in 1971. While their private lives were pretty secretive, sources believe that she and Peter were together until Levy took her last breath.
Her Last hours And Net Worth
Levy died on July 5, 1994, in Palm Springs, Riverside County, California, at 61. She was buried at East Los Angeles Cemetery at Home of Peace Memorial Park. Her cause of death is said to be natural.
At the time of her leaving, it is estimated that her net worth was around $500k USD. She might have collected this heavy fortune while working as a secretary and from divorce settlements from Michael Landon, who had 40 million USD net worth at the time of passing away.