James Westley Welch is best known as the first husband of actress Raquel Welch and the father of her two children, Damon and Tahnee. He lived most of his life away from public attention, but his early relationship with Raquel shaped an important chapter in her story. This article shares what is known about James, his family life, and how people remember him today. I keep the language simple and clear so it is easy to read.
Personl Information
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Westley Welch |
| Known For | First husband of Raquel Welch; father of Damon and Tahnee Welch |
| Relationship to Raquel | High school sweetheart; “first true love” in her words |
| Marriage | May 8, 1959, Las Vegas |
| Children | Damon (b. Nov 6, 1959) and Tahnee (b. Dec 26, 1961) |
| Separation / Divorce | Separated 1962; divorced 1964 |
| Reported Work (early years) | Described as a tuna fisherman, often away at sea |
| Possible Later Service | Raquel wrote that he was drafted and joined the Green Berets after the breakup |
| Public Profile | Private; little verified information beyond family ties and memoir references |
Early years and meeting Raquel
James Westley Welch and Raquel Tejada (who later became Raquel Welch) met when they were teenagers. In her memoir, Raquel wrote that James was her “first true love,” and that they first knew each other when she was around 15 years old.
They dated through school and into young adulthood. Soon after high school, they decided to marry. Several sources note they tied the knot in Las Vegas in 1959, when Raquel was still a young woman at the start of her life journey.
Marriage and young family
James and Raquel married on May 8, 1959, in Las Vegas. Their marriage brought two children. Their son Damon Welch was born on November 6, 1959, and their daughter Tahnee (Latanne) Welch was born on December 26, 1961.
As new parents, they faced the normal pressures of work, money, and growing careers. Raquel’s path soon pulled her toward the entertainment industry, which would later make her famous. James, by contrast, kept a very private profile. Some biographical references describe him as a tuna fisherman in those years, a job that kept him at sea for long periods and away from home. Because he worked long stretches offshore, family life could be hard.
Separation and divorce
The couple’s relationship changed as life moved forward. They separated in 1962 and divorced in 1964. Raquel kept the last name “Welch” for the rest of her career and life.
Co-parenting and the children’s paths
Even after the divorce, James remained part of the children’s lives as their father. Damon sometimes appeared with his mother at public events when he was older.
Tahnee Welch chose a career in entertainment and modeling. She became known for roles in films like Cocoon (1985) and Cocoon: The Return (1988), and for magazine work. While these are details about his daughter rather than James himself, they show the family connection and the public interest that followed because of Raquel’s fame.
Work and life away from the spotlight
James did not seek fame. Most information about him comes through Raquel’s interviews and her memoir. In one published excerpt, Raquel recalled that after their marriage ended, Jim was drafted and joined the Green Berets. This is a personal memory shared by Raquel, and it gives a rare window into what James may have done next.
Outside of these mentions, there are very few confirmed public records about his later work or private life. Some modern websites try to fill the gaps with guesses, but many of those pages are not well sourced. Because of that, it is best to stick to details that come from Raquel’s own words and from established outlets. The secure facts are simple: he was Raquel’s first husband, they had two children, and their marriage ended in the early 1960s.
How Raquel spoke about him
When Raquel looked back on her life, she often spoke with warmth about James as her first love. She said he was part of her life before fame and before Hollywood. In her memoir and later interviews, that early love is clear. This is why many media summaries refer to him as her “first true love,” not just an ex-husband.
Why James still draws interest
People remain curious about James Westley Welch because he is linked to a major star, yet he kept his distance from show business. His story also helps readers understand Raquel’s early years: a young couple, a quick move into marriage and parenthood, and then separate paths as adulthood brought new choices. For many fans, this contrast—public fame for Raquel and private life for James—makes his part of the story human and relatable.
Legacy and family connection
James’s legacy is most visible through his children. Damon has kept a low profile, while Tahnee found her own place in film and fashion. Through them, and through Raquel’s lifetime of keeping the Welch surname, James’s name continues to appear in articles and biographies.
A closer look at the marriage years
When James and Raquel married, they were very young and facing adult life fast. Becoming parents in the same year as their wedding added pressure. Raquel later spoke about how hard it was to balance home life with her growing dreams. James’s reported work at sea meant he could be gone for months. This situation is hard for any couple, and it helps explain the distance that grew between them.
Raquel also wrote that their paths moved in different directions after the split, suggesting they ended up in “two different worlds.” For Raquel, that world became Hollywood, auditions, and the long climb to success. For James, it seems to have become a path outside of the public eye, possibly including military service.
After the divorce
Raquel went on to marry three more times, and her career rose quickly in the mid-1960s. In coverage of her life, major outlets list James as the first of her four husbands and show the basic timeline: 1959–1964 for the first marriage, then later marriages to Patrick Curtis, André Weinfeld, and Richie (Richard) Palmer. This wider context helps place James’s chapter inside the larger story.
What we do not know
Because James kept his privacy, there are open questions. We do not have verified public details about his birth date, later career, or current status. Some recent websites publish claims about real estate or other jobs, but many do not show strong sources. When writing about James, it is more honest to admit what is unknown than to repeat uncertain claims. In this article, I have used Raquel’s memoir excerpts and well-known outlets to keep the information accurate.
Final thoughts
James Westley Welch did not live in the spotlight, but his story still matters. He was part of Raquel Welch’s early life and the father of two children who shaped her world. The facts we can confirm—how they met, when they married, the birth of their children, and their later separation—come from Raquel’s own words and long-standing outlets. By staying with these reliable details, we can respect his privacy and still understand his place in a well-known Hollywood story.
FAQs about James Westley Welch
- Who is James Westley Welch?
He is Raquel Welch’s first husband and the father of her two children, Damon and Tahnee. - When did James and Raquel marry?
They married on May 8, 1959, in Las Vegas. - Did they have children?
Yes. Damon was born on Nov. 6, 1959, and Tahnee on Dec. 26, 1961. - When did they separate and divorce?
They separated in 1962 and divorced in 1964. - How did James and Raquel meet?
They were high school sweethearts; Raquel says she first knew him when she was about 15. - What work did James do?
A reference entry describes him as a tuna fisherman during those early family years. - Did James serve in the military?
Raquel wrote that after their marriage ended, he was drafted and joined the Green Berets. - Why did Raquel keep the surname “Welch”?
After the divorce, she continued to use Welch as her professional and legal surname. - Is there much public information about James’s later life?
No. He kept a low profile, and reliable sources focus mainly on his early years with Raquel. - Why is James still of interest today?
Because of his connection to Raquel and their children, and because fans want to understand her early life and first love.
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