Gena O’Kelley is an American businesswoman, former model, and television personality, born in Ryan, Oklahoma, on August 10, 1963. As of mid-2025, she is 61 years old. Standing approximately 5 ft 8 inches (1.73 m) tall and weighing around 120–135 lbs (54–61 kg), she first gained recognition in the modeling industry before appearing in TV programs such as Yes, Dear, Praise the Lord, and Hannity. Gena is also known as the founder and CEO of CForce Bottling Co., a water bottling business she co-owns with her husband, martial arts icon Chuck Norris. She co-chairs the nonprofit Kickstart Kids, which promotes character development through martial arts. Her personal net worth is estimated at around $1 million.
Quick Facts About Gena O’Kelley
| Full Name | Gena O’Kelley |
|---|---|
| Born | August 10, 1963 (Age 62 in 2025) |
| Birthplace | California, USA |
| Married To | Chuck Norris (Since 1998) |
| Children | 4 (Two from first marriage, Two with Chuck) |
| Twins | Dakota & Danilee Norris – Martial artists |
| Career | Former model, TV personality, businesswoman |
| Lives In | Texas ranch with Chuck Norris |
| Net Worth | Around $1 million |
| Business | Co-founder of CForce Bottled Water |
Who is Gena O’Kelley?
Gena O’Kelley is an American former model, television personality, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. She was born and reared in California, USA, and started her career as a model before appearing on shows like Walker, Texas Ranger, Yes, Dear, Praise the Lord, and Hannity. Gena became well-known as the wife of martial artist and actor Chuck Norris, whom she married in 1998.
She co-founded and manages CForce Bottled Water, which she oversees alongside Norris, and she is also co-chair of Kickstart Kids, a foundation that promotes character education via martial arts. Gena is the proud mother of four children: two from her previous marriage and twins with Chuck Norris, both of whom are martial artists. She lives with her family on a ranch in Texas and is well-known for her advocacy work in healthcare and patient safety. Her net worth is reported to be approximately one million dollars.
Gena O’Kelley’s Early Years
Gena O’Kelley grew up in a middle-class household in California, United States. She is one of four children, alongside her brother Eric and sisters Maureen and Elizabeth. Her father, Alan Gordon O’Kelley, was a security guard for Hewlett-Packard and Kunde Estate Winery, while her mother, Annette M. O’Kelley, was a homemaker. Although her particular educational history is unknown, she apparently graduated from a local high school in her hometown.
Gena began participating in school plays and community volunteer work at a young age, which encouraged her future interest in philanthropic activities. After finishing her education, she began working as a model, leveraging her inherent confidence and small-town ideals to break into the entertainment world.
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Career Highlights of Gena O’Kelley
Gena O’Kelley began her professional career as a model shortly after graduating from high school, and she quickly became known for her composure and presence in the fashion business. She eventually moved to television, appearing on episodes like Walker, Texas Ranger, Yes, Dear (2003), Praise the Lord (2009), and Hannity (2012). In 2009, she appeared in a Total Gym infomercial with Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley.
Gena left modelling and performing to pursue a career in business. She co-founded CForce Bottled Water, a firm situated in Navasota, Texas, in 2015, and is currently the CEO alongside her husband, Chuck Norris. In addition to her commercial pursuits, Gena is an active member of Kickstart Kids, a charity organisation dedicated to youth development via martial arts, where she and Chuck serve as co-chairs.
Career Overview
| Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| Modeling | Launched modeling career after high school; known for elegance and strong presence |
| Television & Media | Appeared in Walker, Texas Ranger, Yes, Dear, Praise the Lord, Hannity, and a Total Gym infomercial |
| Entrepreneurship | Co-founded CForce Bottled Water in 2015; serves as CEO |
| Philanthropy | Co-chairs Kickstart Kids, a nonprofit supporting youth through martial arts |
Gena and Chuck: How Their Love Story Began
In the summer of 1997, while filming Walker, Texas Ranger in Dallas, Chuck Norris went out to dinner with a date and a bunch of friends. Unexpectedly, his long-time buddy Larry Morales arrived, accompanied by Gena O’Kelley, who was in town on a modelling assignment. Chuck didn’t notice her at first, but as Larry introduced her by name, his attention switched. He later described feeling as if he were staring at an angel.
The next morning, Gena and Chuck ate breakfast together. Gena brought him to a fashion show where she modelled wedding gowns. During the occasion, one of her outfits caught on a potted plant and dragged it down the runway, prompting Chuck to joke about buying the plant.
Their connection grew rapidly. Chuck asked his assistant to organise another meeting, and Gena returned to Dallas a few weeks later. They started dating soon after, and a year later, on November 28, 1998, they married.
Meeting Summary
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| First encounter | Summer 1997 in Dallas—introduced at a sushi dinner by mutual friend Larry Morales |
| Initial impression | Chuck was immediately drawn to Gena’s presence and charm |
| Follow-up | Breakfast the next morning; Gena invited Chuck to her fashion show |
| Beginnings of dating | Chuck invited her back to Dallas; they began dating shortly after |
| Marriage | Married on November 28, 1998 |
A Devoted Wife, Mother, and Partner
Gena O’Kelley married actor and martial artist Chuck Norris in November 1998, and their marriage has become a model of love, mutual respect, and shared beliefs.
On August 30, 2001, they welcomed twins Dakota Alan Norris and Danilee Kelly Norris. Dakota holds a fifth-degree black belt in Chun Kuk Do, while Danilee has a second-degree black belt, demonstrating a strong commitment to martial arts. Gena is also a stepmother to Chuck’s three elder children from prior relationships: Mike, Eric, and Dina, and she is deeply committed to her blended family.
Gena suffered a major medical crisis in 2013 after being given a gadolinium-based contrast agent during an MRI exam. The sickness caused severe health issues and necessitated intensive treatment. Chuck Norris left his acting profession to become her full-time carer, accompanying her through each stage of her recuperation.
Gena and Chuck then became strong advocates for healthcare openness, pushing for increased awareness and regulation of the risks associated with medical imaging agents.
Despite these obstacles, Gena manages to balance her personal and professional lives. She co-chairs the NGO Kickstart Kids, which empowers adolescents through martial arts, and is the CEO of CForce Bottled Water, which she co-owns with Chuck. Her life exemplifies strength, compassion, and a strong dedication to family and community.
How Gena O’Kelley Built a Thriving Water Brand
Gena O’Kelley and Chuck Norris co-founded CForce Bottling Company in 2015. CForce, a certified woman-owned business, is based on the Norris family ranch in Navasota, Texas, and offers artisanal spring water sourced from a sustainable aquifer. The water is naturally filtered by volcanic rock and high in electrolytes. It is promoted as a premium alkaline product.
Under Gena’s leadership as CEO, CForce has grown well beyond Texas. The company’s products are available in thousands of retail locations nationwide, including over 110 Brookshire Brothers grocery shops in Texas and Louisiana (CEO.CA). The company operates from a 53,000-square-foot facility and offers full-service bottling, including private labelling, bulk water sales, co-packing, and branded products.
Beyond commerce, CForce also distributes a portion of its proceeds to benefit Kickstart Kids, the foundation Gena co-chairs with Chuck Norris that promotes youth development via martial arts in impoverished schools.
Gena O’Kelley’s Role in Giving Back
Gena O’Kelley and Chuck Norris co-chair the nonprofit Kickstart Kids, which teaches martial arts-based character values to children across Texas. He is a key leader in developing the program’s curriculum, community engagement, and effect evaluation.
Since joining the foundation in the early 1990s, she has helped grow Kickstart Kids into a number of schools, collaborating with instructors and volunteer martial artists to reach thousands of youngsters annually. Their programs aim to instill discipline, respect, and confidence via martial arts instruction and leadership development.
In addition to Kickstart Kids, Gena sponsors a variety of community health and wellness activities. Following her own medical experience with gadolinium contrast, she became an advocate for patient safety, participating in public awareness campaigns and support groups focused at increasing medical transparency.
Gena also incorporates altruism into her business activities. CForce Bottling Water donates a portion of its income to philanthropic organisations, and the corporation occasionally funds youth sporting events and school-based wellness initiatives.
Gena O’Kelley’s Net Worth
Gena O’Kelley’s net worth is estimated at around $1 million. Her wealth comes from her modelling and television career, investments, real estate endeavours, and leadership role at CForce Bottling Company .
In contrast, her husband, Chuck Norris, is commonly estimated to have a distinct net worth of around $70 million, mostly gained via his film and television career, as well as other commercial and publishing enterprises.
While their combined household assets demonstrate tremendous success, public sources make it clear that the $1 million number refers solely to Gena’s earnings and assets, not Chuck’s riches.
Net Worth Snapshot
| Name | Estimated Net Worth | Main Income Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Gena O’Kelley | ~$1 million | Modeling, TV appearances, business ventures, investments |
| Chuck Norris | ~$70 million | Acting career, endorsements, books, martial arts businesses |
FAQs
Who is Gena O’Kelley?
Gena O’Kelley is an American former model, television presenter, and businesswoman. She is also known as Chuck Norris’ wife.
How much is her net worth?
Her net worth is reported to be approximately $1 million, which she has acquired through modelling, business, and other enterprises.
What does Gena O’Kelley do?
She co-founded CForce Bottled Water and is active in philanthropy, particularly with Kickstart Kids.
How did she meet Chuck Norris?
Gena first met Chuck Norris in 1997 at a small gathering and later starred on his show Walker, Texas Ranger.
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Does Gena have children?
Yes, she has four children: two from her previous marriage and twins with Chuck Norris.
What health difficulties has she had?
Gena developed difficulties with an MRI contrast agent, prompting her to push for medical safety.
Final Thought
Gena O’Kelley’s life is a quiet testament to resilience, partnership, and meaningful work. From modeling to motherhood, business leadership to philanthropy, she has worn many hats with grace and strength. While often recognized as Chuck Norris’s wife, Gena has built an identity and legacy of her own—driven by heart, purpose, and unwavering support for those around her.
