Home Global Path112

The Tragic Legacy Of Karen Velez: 5 Shocking Facts About Lee Majors' Playmate Ex-Wife And Her Children

• minute read
Contents

The Golden Age of Hollywood’s most intriguing couples often leaves a legacy that spans decades, and the marriage of TV superstar Lee Majors and former Playboy Playmate Karen Velez is a perfect example. As of December 2025, the story of Karen Velez is one of beauty, fleeting fame, and a quiet, profound second act that was tragically cut short. The former model, who captivated millions, is remembered not just as the third wife of the iconic star of The Six Million Dollar Man, but for her own unique journey and the three children she shared with Majors, whose lives are now continuing their parents’ Hollywood lineage.

The narrative surrounding Karen Velez and Lee Majors has taken a somber turn following Velez's passing in July 2023 at the age of 62. This event reframes her story, moving the focus from her career transition as a hypnotherapist and life coach to a retrospective on her impact, her six-year marriage to one of the 1970s and 80s biggest television stars, and the remarkable paths their children—Nikki, Dane, and Trey Majors—have forged in the entertainment world.

Karen Velez: A Complete Biography and Family Profile

Karen Velez was a prominent figure in the 1980s modeling scene, achieving the highest honors in the world of men's magazines before her high-profile marriage to Lee Majors. Her life was defined by a stunning transition from a celebrated beauty to a devoted mother and professional helper.

  • Full Name: Karen Velez Majors (also known as Karen Majors)
  • Date of Birth: January 27, 1961
  • Place of Birth: Rockville Centre, New York, USA
  • Date of Death: July 2, 2023
  • Age at Death: 62
  • Cause of Death: Not publicly disclosed
  • Notable Career: Model, Playboy Playmate of the Month (December 1984), Playboy Playmate of the Year (1985), Hypnotherapist, Life Coach
  • First Marriage: Lee Majors (m. September 1988; div. 1994)
  • Second Marriage: Vic Ventimiglia Jr. (m. 1999; div. 2004)
  • Children with Lee Majors: Nikki Majors (Daughter, b. February 1988), Dane Luke Majors (Twin Son, b. 1992), and Trey Kulley Majors (Twin Son, b. 1992)
  • Notable In-Laws: Farrah Fawcett (Lee Majors' second wife), Faith Majors (Lee Majors' current wife), Lee Majors II (Step-son)

The High-Profile Romance and Unexpected Split with Lee Majors

The relationship between Karen Velez and Lee Majors began in the mid-1980s, a period when Majors was navigating the aftermath of his intensely publicized divorce from Charlie's Angels star Farrah Fawcett. Velez, fresh off her title as Playboy's Playmate of the Year 1985, met the veteran actor, and their whirlwind romance quickly became tabloid fodder.

They began dating in 1986, and their family life commenced even before they officially tied the knot. Their daughter, Nikki Majors, was born in February 1988. Seven months later, in September 1988, the couple exchanged vows.

The marriage was a blend of Hollywood glamour and quiet family life, especially after the birth of their twin sons, Dane and Trey Majors, in 1992.

However, the union was short-lived, lasting only six years before their divorce in 1994. The exact, intimate reason for their split remains largely private. However, it mirrored a common theme in Majors' previous high-profile marriages, including the one with Farrah Fawcett: the intense demands of Hollywood careers. Majors himself had previously spoken about how the constant geographical separation due to filming schedules—he on shows like The Fall Guy and his co-stars on theirs—created an unbridgeable distance.

The divorce from Karen Velez was amicable enough for them to co-parent their three children successfully, ensuring that Nikki, Dane, and Trey maintained a strong relationship with their famous father. This focus on family stability post-divorce is a crucial component of Karen Velez’s enduring legacy.

From Playmate to Hypnotherapist: Karen Velez's Post-Hollywood Life

Following her divorce from Majors in 1994, Karen Velez largely stepped away from the glare of the entertainment spotlight. She chose a path of personal growth and professional transformation that was far removed from the modeling industry.

Velez pursued a career in the wellness and self-help fields, reportedly training to become a certified hypnotherapist and life coach. This career change highlighted a desire to help others and showcase a depth beyond her initial fame as a Playmate. While the details of her practice were kept private, this shift indicated a dedication to a more meaningful professional life.

She did briefly return to the public eye with a second marriage to Vic Ventimiglia Jr. in 1999, though that union also ended in divorce in 2004.

The news of her passing on July 2, 2023, in California, at the age of 62, shocked many who remembered her from her 1980s heyday. While the cause of death was not publicly disclosed, her death marked the end of a life lived in two distinct halves: the dazzling, public career as a model, and the private, fulfilling role as a mother and professional helper.

The Next Generation: Where Are Karen Velez and Lee Majors’ Children Now?

Perhaps the most enduring legacy of Karen Velez and Lee Majors is their three children, all of whom are now adults pursuing their own careers, with some following their parents into the entertainment industry. Their lives today offer a fresh, current look at the Majors family.

Nikki Majors: The Private Daughter

Nikki Majors, born in 1988, is the eldest child of the couple. Unlike her younger twin brothers, Nikki has chosen a life largely out of the public eye. She maintains a private personal life, successfully navigating the challenges of growing up with two famous parents while prioritizing her own privacy.

Dane Luke Majors: The Rising Actor

Dane Luke Majors, one of the twin sons born in 1992, has embraced the acting world, following directly in his father's footsteps. He has been described as a rising actor, carving out his own path in the entertainment industry. His career choice ensures that the Majors name remains active on the screen, continuing the family's Hollywood legacy.

Trey Kulley Majors: The Model and USC Alumnus

Trey Kulley Majors, Dane’s twin brother, has also pursued a career in the entertainment and creative fields, primarily as a model and actor. Trey is an alumnus of the prestigious University of Southern California (USC), demonstrating a commitment to education alongside his artistic pursuits. His dual career path in modeling and acting makes him a prominent figure in the next generation of Hollywood offspring.

The careers of Dane and Trey, alongside their half-brother Lee Majors II (from Lee Majors' first marriage to Kathy Robinson), illustrate the powerful pull of the family's artistic heritage. Their success is a testament to the foundation provided by both their father and their late mother, Karen Velez, who instilled in them a drive for success, whether on the runway, the screen, or in a private professional career.

karen velez lee majors
karen velez lee majors

Detail Author:

  • Name : Prof. Brice Heidenreich
  • Username : emmerich.roxanne
  • Email : rrohan@gmail.com
  • Birthdate : 1986-10-04
  • Address : 117 Pfeffer Lock Suite 219 South Amari, AL 00830
  • Phone : 407-744-6198
  • Company : Jerde LLC
  • Job : Tank Car
  • Bio : Quisquam quia totam aut libero. Animi aut reprehenderit id excepturi.

Socials

linkedin:

tiktok:

  • url : https://tiktok.com/@amybergnaum
  • username : amybergnaum
  • bio : Vel et est repudiandae fugiat earum voluptatem rerum placeat.
  • followers : 5731
  • following : 98

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/bergnauma
  • username : bergnauma
  • bio : Omnis quo illo accusamus aut non voluptas. Ut quod est dicta unde rerum ipsam fugiat commodi. Dolorem blanditiis aut quidem sint amet.
  • followers : 3390
  • following : 2302

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/abergnaum
  • username : abergnaum
  • bio : Ut sunt omnis pariatur saepe sunt dolorem. Id tempora animi iusto et.
  • followers : 6789
  • following : 1941

facebook:

Random Posts