Rick Harrison First Wife: Unraveling The Personal Side Of A Pawn Star

Brooklyn Hickle III 20 Aug 2025

When you think of Rick Harrison, it's very likely your mind goes straight to the bustling Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas, a place teeming with unique artifacts and, you know, a fair bit of haggling. For years, fans have been captivated by his sharp wit, business acumen, and his knack for uncovering the stories behind incredible items. Yet, behind the counter and away from the camera's glare, Rick has, in a way, lived a life with its own interesting chapters, particularly when it comes to his personal relationships. People often wonder about the man beyond the show, especially about the very first person he shared his life with.

It's quite natural, really, for folks to be curious about the private lives of public figures. We see them on our screens, they become a familiar presence, and so, too it's almost, a part of our extended family, in a sense. This curiosity often extends to their romantic journeys, their family beginnings, and how those early connections shaped them. For Rick, his marital history, particularly his first marriage, is something many fans are keen to learn more about, as it lays the groundwork for the family we see, or sometimes don't see, on television.

This deep interest in the personal side of someone like Rick Harrison isn't just about gossip; it's about seeing the whole picture of a person. It helps us understand the path they took, the foundations they built, and the experiences that made them who they are today. So, let's take a closer look at the woman who was Rick Harrison's first wife, and explore that significant, early part of his life story, which, in some respects, is a quiet chapter for a man so publicly known.

Rick Harrison's Early Life and Family Roots
Personal Details and Biography: Rick Harrison
The Beginning: His First Marriage to Kim Harrison
Raising a Family Amidst Early Struggles
Life Before Pawn Stars and the Impact of Fame
Rick Harrison's Subsequent Marriages: A Brief Overview
The Challenges of Public Life and Personal Privacy
Frequently Asked Questions About Rick Harrison's Personal Life

Rick Harrison's Early Life and Family Roots

Richard Kevin Harrison, known to millions simply as Rick, started his life in a way that, you know, wasn't exactly glamorous. Born in Lexington, North Carolina, he moved to Las Vegas with his family when he was just a child. His father, Richard "Old Man" Harrison, was a significant figure in his life, and their relationship, as many fans know, was a cornerstone of the Pawn Stars show. Rick's early years were shaped by a family that worked hard, and he learned the ropes of business from a young age, often helping out in various ventures. This formative period, quite naturally, included his first steps into adult relationships and building his own family unit, long before the bright lights of television cameras found him.

He didn't always dream of pawn shops, of course. Rick's path was, in some ways, a bit winding. He dropped out of high school in tenth grade, choosing instead to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors. This early drive to make his own way, to build something from the ground up, defined much of his youth. It was during these formative years, as he was figuring out his place in the world and laying the groundwork for his future, that he met the woman who would become his first wife, a truly pivotal moment in his personal story. This period, it's fair to say, was about establishing a foundation, both for his career and his personal life, and that includes his first marriage.

Personal Details and Biography: Rick Harrison

Here’s a quick look at some key facts about Rick Harrison, the man behind the counter, to give you a bit more context about his journey.

Full Name	Richard Kevin Harrison
Known As	Rick Harrison
Date of Birth	March 22, 1965
Place of Birth	Lexington, North Carolina, USA
Nationality	American
Occupation	Businessman, Reality Television Personality
Known For	Co-owner of Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, Star of History Channel's "Pawn Stars"
Children	Corey Harrison, Adam Harrison, Jake Harrison
Parents	Richard Benjamin Harrison (father), Joanne Harrison (mother)

The Beginning: His First Marriage to Kim Harrison

Rick Harrison's first wife was a woman named Kim Harrison. They married quite young, a common thing for people, you know, figuring things out in their early twenties. Their wedding took place in 1982, marking the start of Rick's journey into married life. This was long before Pawn Stars became a household name, back when Rick was just, in a way, a regular guy trying to make his way in the world. Their relationship, like many young marriages, faced its own set of unique challenges and joys, as they navigated life together and began to build a family.

During their time together, Rick and Kim welcomed two children into the world: their sons, Corey Harrison and Adam Harrison. Corey, as many fans know, grew up to become a prominent figure on Pawn Stars alongside his father and grandfather. Adam, on the other hand, chose a path away from the spotlight, and that's just fine, of course. The arrival of their children certainly changed their lives, bringing new responsibilities and shaping their daily existence in significant ways. This period, with young children and growing aspirations, was a very formative time for Rick, both as a person and as a budding entrepreneur.

Their marriage, however, eventually came to an end. Rick and Kim divorced in 1985, after about three years of marriage. The reasons for their separation are, as you might expect, private matters, and Rick has generally kept details about his first marriage out of the public eye. This desire for privacy is, in a way, pretty understandable, especially given his later rise to fame. Despite the end of their marriage, the bond of family remained through their children, who continued to be a central part of Rick's life, and, you know, that's what truly matters in the long run.

Raising a Family Amidst Early Struggles

Raising a family, particularly when you're young and still establishing yourself, can be a rather challenging endeavor. For Rick Harrison and Kim, their early years as parents to Corey and Adam involved navigating the usual ups and downs of life, but also, in some respects, the specific financial hurdles that often come with starting out. Rick was, at this point, still working on various business ideas, long before the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop became the thriving enterprise it is today. They were, in a way, building their lives from the ground up, trying to provide for their young family.

Rick has, on occasion, spoken about the hard work and dedication required during those early days. He wasn't born into wealth, and every bit of success he achieved came from sheer grit and determination. This period, with two young sons, meant a constant focus on earning a living and providing a stable home. It was a time of learning, of growth, and of making sacrifices for the sake of his children. This experience, arguably, instilled in him the strong work ethic that viewers see on Pawn Stars, a drive that was forged during those earlier, more challenging times.

Life Before Pawn Stars and the Impact of Fame

Before the cameras started rolling and "Pawn Stars" became a global phenomenon, Rick Harrison's life was, in a way, pretty much like any other small business owner's. He and his father, Richard "Old Man" Harrison, opened the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in 1989. For two decades, it was a local business, serving the community, building a reputation one customer at a time. This was a period of steady growth, learning the ins and outs of the pawn industry, and, you know, just working hard day in and day out. His personal life, including his past marriage to Kim, remained very much a private affair during these years.

Then came 2009, and everything changed. "Pawn Stars" premiered on the History Channel, and almost overnight, Rick, his father, and his son Corey became household names. The show's popularity brought immense success to the pawn shop, transforming it from a local establishment into a major tourist attraction. But with that fame came a loss of privacy. Suddenly, details about their lives, both past and present, became subjects of public interest. This shift, from relative anonymity to global recognition, can be quite jarring for anyone, and it certainly brought a new level of scrutiny to Rick's personal history, including his first marriage and family.

The impact of fame on personal relationships is, in a way, a complex thing. While it brings opportunities, it also puts a spotlight on every aspect of one's life. For Rick, this meant that his marital history, previously known only to close friends and family, became a topic of discussion for millions of viewers. It's a trade-off, really, between the benefits of celebrity and the quiet loss of personal space. This is why, perhaps, Rick has always been a bit guarded about the more intimate details of his life, especially those from before the show's massive success, and that's, you know, perfectly understandable.

Rick Harrison's Subsequent Marriages: A Brief Overview

After his marriage to Kim ended, Rick Harrison did, of course, find love again. His second wife was Tracy Harrison. They married in 1986, just a year after his divorce from Kim was finalized. With Tracy, Rick welcomed another son, Jake Harrison, further expanding his family. Their marriage lasted significantly longer than his first, spanning over two decades. This period covered the years leading up to the launch of "Pawn Stars" and the initial years of its immense popularity. Their long relationship, in a way, saw Rick's business grow from a local shop to a nationally recognized enterprise, and that's a lot of shared history.

However, like many relationships, Rick and Tracy's marriage eventually concluded. They divorced in 2011. Following this, Rick married DeAnna Burditt in 2013. Their wedding was a rather public affair, taking place in Laguna Beach, California, with fellow reality TV star Danny Koker officiating. This marriage, too, garnered considerable media attention, given Rick's prominent public profile. This union, in some respects, brought together their respective families, creating a larger blended family. It shows that, you know, even public figures continue to seek companionship and build new lives.

Rick and DeAnna's marriage, unfortunately, also ended, with their divorce finalized in 2022. This history of multiple marriages is, for many public figures, just a part of their story. It highlights that even those in the spotlight experience the same personal journeys, the same hopes and heartbreaks, as anyone else. While the focus of this discussion is his first wife, understanding his later relationships provides a fuller picture of Rick Harrison's personal path, demonstrating that, you know, life often brings new chapters and new connections, even after earlier ones close.

The Challenges of Public Life and Personal Privacy

Living life in the public eye, especially with a show as popular as "Pawn Stars," brings a unique set of challenges, particularly when it comes to personal privacy. For Rick Harrison, a man whose daily work life is broadcast to millions, maintaining a boundary between his public persona and his private world can be, in a way, quite a balancing act. Every aspect of his life, from his business dealings to his family relationships, becomes a topic of interest, and sometimes, speculation. This intense scrutiny means that details about his past, like his first marriage to Kim, are often sought out by curious fans.

The internet, of course, amplifies this curiosity. Information, once obscure, becomes readily available, and people can, you know, easily search for details about celebrities' lives. This constant demand for personal information means that public figures like Rick must make conscious choices about what they share and what they keep private. While Rick has always been fairly open about his business and his immediate family on the show, he has, in some respects, kept a tighter lid on the more intimate details of his romantic history, particularly the specifics surrounding his divorces. This discretion is, arguably, a way to protect himself and his loved ones from the relentless glare of public attention.

It's a testament to his character that, despite the fame, Rick has largely managed to keep his personal life, especially the more sensitive aspects, out of the sensational headlines. He understands that while people are interested in the show, some parts of his life are, frankly, just for him and his family. This ongoing effort to balance public accessibility with personal privacy is a constant for anyone in his position, and it shows that, you know, even a "Pawn Star" values his quiet moments and the sanctity of his personal relationships, past and present. Learn more about Pawn Stars on our site, and you might also be interested in how the show impacts the lives of its stars on this page .

Frequently Asked Questions About Rick Harrison's Personal Life

How many times has Rick Harrison been married?

Rick Harrison has been married three times. His first wife was Kim Harrison, followed by Tracy Harrison, and then DeAnna Burditt. Each marriage, in a way, marked a different chapter in his personal journey, leading him to where he is today, and that's just a part of his story, really.

Who are Rick Harrison's children?

Rick Harrison has three sons. His first two sons, Corey Harrison and Adam Harrison, are from his first marriage to Kim. His third son, Jake Harrison, is from his second marriage to Tracy. Corey, of course, is a familiar face to "Pawn Stars" viewers, while Adam and Jake tend to live more private lives, which, you know, is their choice.

What is Rick Harrison's net worth?

Estimates of Rick Harrison's net worth vary, but it's generally believed to be in the millions, thanks to the immense success of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop and the global popularity of "Pawn Stars." His business ventures and television career have, in a way, built a considerable fortune over the years, and that's a pretty big achievement for someone who started out with, you know, not much.

Rick Harrison Wife: Reasons Behind The Pawn Stars’ Divorce

Rick Harrison Wife Wedding

Rick Harrison's Wife: He and Deanna Burditt Have Divorced

Veritas Daily