Many people know Tommy Lee from Mötley Crüe and his famous marriage to Pamela Anderson. But before all that, he had a first wife named Elaine Starchuk. Her name doesn’t come up as often, but her life is full of surprises. She was a model, a dancer, a business owner, and a survivor of many personal struggles.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Elaine’s story. We’ll start with her early life, her rise in the modeling world, her short marriage to Tommy Lee, and how she later became a strong, independent woman. This is the first half of her full story—told in easy words so everyone can understand and enjoy.
Elaine Starchuk Quick Bio
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| Full Name |
Elaine Margaret Starchuk |
| Date of Birth |
April 7, 1964 |
| Age (as of 2025) |
61 years old |
| Birthplace |
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Nationality |
Canadian |
| Ethnicity |
White |
| Religion |
Christianity |
| Height |
5’8″ (173 cm) |
| Weight |
143 lbs (65 kg) |
| Eye Color |
Hazel |
| Hair Color |
Dark Brown |
| Marital Status |
Divorced |
| Ex-Husbands |
Tommy Lee, Todd Marshall |
| Known For |
Modeling, Tommy Lee’s first wife |
| Business Name |
Enlightened Lashes |
| Career |
Model, Dancer, Business Owner |
| Net Worth |
Around $500,000 |
| Health |
Cancer survivor, accident survivor |
| Residence |
Vancouver, Canada |
| Pets |
Animal lover, especially cats |
| Instagram |
@_elainestarchuk |
Who Is Elaine Starchuk?
Elaine Starchuk is a Canadian woman who became known in the 1980s. She was a model and dancer who appeared in top magazines like Playboy and Penthouse. But most people remember her as the first wife of Tommy Lee, the drummer of Mötley Crüe.
Even though her marriage to Tommy Lee didn’t last long, it put her name in the spotlight. But there’s a lot more to Elaine’s life than just that one moment. She went through many ups and downs, and today she lives a quiet, strong life in Canada.
Early Life and Childhood
Elaine Margaret Starchuk was born on April 7, 1964, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She was raised in a simple home and was an only child. Her father was a lawyer, and her mother worked as a secretary.
From a young age, Elaine dreamed of becoming a model. She loved fashion, beauty, and the idea of walking on the runway. In high school, she would often imagine herself on magazine covers. These dreams didn’t go away. In fact, they pushed her to take a big step right after graduation.
Elaine’s Big Move to the USA
When she was just 18 years old, Elaine made a big decision. She moved from Canada to the United States to chase her modeling dreams. She knew it wouldn’t be easy, but she wanted to give it a real shot.
At that time, the modeling world was tough. There were many challenges, and not many people got lucky. But Elaine stood out. She had a bold look and the confidence to take risks. She even decided to get cosmetic surgery, including breast enlargement, to fit the modeling image of that time.
Rise in Modeling and Magazine Fame
Elaine’s hard work started paying off. Her first big break came when she modeled for Playboy. This was a huge deal in the 1980s. She later also appeared in Penthouse, another big magazine.
She even lived at the Playboy Mansion, where she got to meet famous people and build her career. Elaine quickly became a well-known name in the modeling scene. She won local beauty titles like Miss N*ude BC, and her photos appeared in many magazines.
This kind of fame brought attention, but it also brought pressure. Life in the spotlight wasn’t always easy, and soon, Elaine’s path took a very different turn.
Elaine Starchuk and Tommy Lee: How They Met
In 1982, Elaine met Tommy Lee, who was just starting to become famous with his band, Mötley Crüe. At that time, she was a rising model, and he was a young rockstar. They were both full of energy, and their connection happened fast.
They started dating and were together for two years before deciding to get married. During this time, they were often seen together, and fans loved the way they looked as a couple. But behind the smiles, things were not always smooth.
The Short Marriage: The Real Story of Tommy Lee’s First Wife
Elaine and Tommy got married on November 24, 1984. But sadly, the marriage didn’t last. Many reports say they separated after just seven days. Some even called it one of the shortest rockstar marriages ever.
Later, Elaine shared her side of the story. She said their marriage lasted about three months, not just one week. She also said she ended things after finding out Tommy was cheating on her. It was a painful time for her, and she filed for divorce soon after.
Their divorce was finalized in 1985, and they did not have any children together.
Elaine’s Dating Life After Tommy Lee
After her split from Tommy, Elaine continued to be connected to the rock music world. She dated several musicians, including:
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Vince Neil, also from Mötley Crüe
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Dave Coverdale, singer from Whitesnake
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Nikki Sixx, Tommy’s bandmate
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Taime Downe, lead singer of Faster Pussycat
Elaine later got married again, this time to Todd Marshall. That marriage lasted four years, but also ended in separation. After that, she had a long relationship with Anders Erikson that lasted five years.
By the early 2000s, Elaine stepped away from public life. She moved back to Canada and started focusing on a new chapter.
Career Shift: From Model to Business Owner
After leaving the modeling world, Elaine started something completely new. She opened her own business in Canada called Enlightened Lashes. The business offers eyelash extensions and also trains other women to become lash artists.
In 2007, she also launched the Enlightened Eyelash Academy, where she teaches students the art of eyelash design. She is believed to be one of the first people in Canada to offer such training programs.
Her lash brand, Faux Mink, has been sold not just in Canada but also in Asia. Even celebrities like Avril Lavigne have used her products. This shows how Elaine turned her passion into a full-time, successful career.
Health Challenges and Her 2013 Accident
In 2013, Elaine Starchuk faced a serious accident that changed her life. While standing inside a deli in Langley, British Columbia, a car suddenly crashed into the shop and hit her. It was a scary moment.
Elaine got badly hurt. She had injuries to her neck, shoulders, back, chest, arms, and foot. One of the worst parts was the damage to her chest, which forced her to go through another breast surgery. The pain didn’t just affect her body—it also affected her business. She could not work properly and started losing income.
Because of all this, Elaine went to court to ask for compensation. In 2016, a judge at the B.C. Supreme Court agreed with her and gave her $420,000 to cover her injuries, pain, and lost work. It was a tough chapter in her life, but she stayed strong and kept going.
Elaine Starchuk as a Cancer Survivor
Besides the accident, Elaine also went through another big health challenge. She was diagnosed with cancer, but instead of going through strong treatments, she chose a more natural path to healing.
Elaine joined a group of women who prayed for those who were sick. She also started learning about Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, which are natural ways to support the body’s healing. She stayed away from heavy chemicals and focused on clean food, rest, and natural treatments.
This part of her story shows how strong and spiritual she became. It wasn’t just about fixing her body—it was also about healing her mind and soul. Elaine’s journey as a cancer survivor is a big part of why people admire her today.
A Deep Love for Animals and Activism
Elaine Starchuk doesn’t just care about herself—she also cares deeply for animals. Since she was a young child, she loved animals, especially cats. Her first cat, Sasha, was her best friend when she had no siblings.
Later, she had two more cats—Kingsley and Princess—who stayed with her for over ten years. She often says that these animals brought her peace and comfort during hard times. Sadly, both of them passed away, but Elaine still shares their memory with love.
She also helps other animals. She uses her social media to tell people to adopt rescue pets instead of buying them. She even asked her followers to donate to a pet rescue group called Jurassic Bark Rescue for her birthday. Elaine believes that animals give love that never ends, and she wants others to feel that too.
Where Is Elaine Starchuk Now?
Today, Elaine Starchuk lives a calm and quiet life in Vancouver, Canada. She doesn’t appear on TV or in big magazines anymore. Instead, she puts her time into running her beauty business, Enlightened Lashes.
Even though she is no longer married to Tommy Lee, she sometimes shares old photos or memories on her Instagram. She talks about the good times they had when they were young but also shares her honest thoughts about how their relationship was shown in movies like The Dirt.
Elaine doesn’t try to chase fame anymore. She chooses peace, nature, and helping others—both people and animals. She often shares her spiritual beliefs, health tips, and quiet moments with her followers.
Net Worth and Life Achievements
Elaine may not be a Hollywood star, but she has built a strong life for herself. Her estimated net worth is around $500,000. This money comes from:
What makes her story special is not the money—but the way she kept going, even after so many hard times. From being a young model to a survivor, healer, and business owner, Elaine has shown true strength.
Interesting Facts About Elaine Starchuk
Here are a few quick and fun things you may not know about her:
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Elaine says her marriage to Tommy Lee lasted about 3 months, not just 7 days.
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She once worked on the Transformers movie set as part of the crew.
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Her modeling name in Penthouse was Candace Starrek.
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She was one of the first people in Canada to offer lash extension training.
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Her Faux Mink lash brand is sold both in Canada and Asia.
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She proudly calls herself Tommy Lee’s first wife on social media, but she also tells her own story.
Final Thoughts
Elaine Starchuk is more than just Tommy Lee’s first wife. She is a woman who faced pain, heartbreak, and big health problems—but never gave up. Her story shows how someone can fall and rise again, with strength, heart, and kindness.
From posing for famous magazines to healing through prayer and natural medicine… from the bright lights of Hollywood to helping rescue cats… Elaine has lived many lives in one.
Today, she stands as a quiet fighter, a business owner, and a voice for animals. Her story is not just about who she married—it’s about who she became.
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