James Westley Welch: The Real Story of Raquel Welch’s First Husband

James Westley Welch may not be a Hollywood name, but his love story with Raquel Welch is something many people still talk about. He was the first man Raquel truly loved. In fact, she once called him her Prince Charming and said he would always be the one she remembered.

In this article, we’ll explore the real story of James Westley Welch — the man Raquel Welch married before she became a Hollywood icon. You’ll learn how they met, how their love grew, what led to their split, and why he stayed in her heart forever.

James Westley Welch Quick Bio

Who Was James Westley Welch?

James Westley Welch was a regular man with a quiet life. He was born in 1940 in San Diego, California, and went to La Jolla High School. He wasn’t a movie star or a singer — he worked as a tuna fisherman and later became known as a publicist in some reports.

Even though he didn’t live in the spotlight, James became famous for being Raquel Welch’s first husband. Their love started when they were both teens, long before the cameras and the red carpets. He never wanted fame, but his story is tied to one of the biggest stars of the 1960s and beyond.

James and Raquel’s High School Love Story

Imagine being 15 and meeting someone who would change your life forever. That’s what happened when Raquel Welch met James Welch in high school. She was a cheerleader, and he was on the football team. They were just two kids in San Diego — but their bond was special.

In her memoir, Raquel wrote that from the very first moment, she knew she was meant to have his children. She called him her “one and only” and said she was completely taken by his green eyes and calm nature. They went to school together, danced together, and spent time after football games grabbing burgers and shakes.

Their love felt magical and exciting — the kind of love many people dream about when they’re young.

A Simple Wedding, A Big Step

In 1959, right after high school, Raquel and James got married in Las Vegas. She was just 19 years old. Their wedding wasn’t big or fancy, but it meant a lot to them. They were young and in love, and that was enough.

Raquel had been studying at San Diego State College with dreams of becoming a performer. But when James came back from working on a tuna boat in Peru, she dropped out to be with him. Her heart told her this was the right path.

But not everyone agreed. Her mother was unsure. Her father was furious. Raquel later said that marrying James was her way of doing something for herself — even if it went against what her parents wanted.

Life Before Fame: Young Family Years

After the wedding, life wasn’t easy. James and Raquel moved into a small apartment in Pacific Beach. James looked for work while Raquel did weather reports on TV and small modeling jobs. They were just starting out, like many young couples.

Soon, their family began to grow. They had their first child when Raquel was just 19. She said in later interviews that it was a painfully young age to become a mother — and that it added a lot of pressure to their lives.

Still, during this time, they built a real home together. It was quiet, simple, and full of hopes — even though challenges were just around the corner.

The Children of James and Raquel Welch

James Westley Welch and Raquel Welch had two children together:

• Damon Welch, born on November 6, 1959

• Latanne Rene “Tahnee” Welch, born on December 26, 1961

Raquel named their daughter after James’s mother, Tahnee Land, showing just how close she still felt to his family at that time.

Both kids went on to have careers in the spotlight. Damon worked in film and television as a writer, actor, and producer. Tahnee became a model and actress and appeared in movies like Cocoon and I Shot Andy Warhol. Even though their parents’ marriage didn’t last, both children stayed connected to Hollywood in their own ways.

Why James Westley Welch and Raquel Divorced

Sadly, love wasn’t enough to keep them together forever.

By 1962, James and Raquel had started to grow apart. She wanted to move to Los Angeles and chase her dream of acting. He didn’t share the same dream. They were also very young, and Raquel later said they didn’t have the tools to handle a serious relationship.

In 1964, their divorce became official. Raquel moved to L.A. with their two children to start a new chapter. It wasn’t an easy choice — in fact, she later said that leaving James and her family was the most painful decision of her life.

She felt she had hurt not just James, but also their children. It was a moment she would carry with her forever.

Life After Divorce: James’s Quiet Journey

After the split, James Westley Welch didn’t follow Raquel into the spotlight. He chose a quieter life away from Hollywood. He worked as a tuna fisherman and later ran a business — reportedly even becoming president of a company in the 1970s.

He rarely spoke to the media. He didn’t chase fame. He just kept living his life in peace, far from cameras and interviews. But no matter how far he stayed from the headlines, he remained a special figure in Raquel’s story.

In 1973, James even admitted he hadn’t always been kind to Raquel. He said he was young and unsure, but that there were beautiful times too. They were just kids in love, he explained — and sometimes, that’s not enough.

Raquel Welch Kept His Name Forever

One simple but powerful detail stands out: Raquel Welch kept James Westley Welch’s last name for the rest of her life. Even after marrying three other men, she never changed it.

Why? She once said that “Welch” became part of who she was — not just as an actress, but as a person. It was the name she carried during her rise to fame. It also connected her to her first great love, James. Even when life moved on, the name stayed with her, showing just how deep that bond truly was.

In Hollywood, many stars change their names for fame. But Raquel chose to stay connected to the man who gave her that name — even when they had long gone separate ways.

Their Reunion After 15 Years

After their divorce, James Westley Welch and Raquel didn’t speak for many years. Life took them in different directions. But in 1977, James reached out. He wanted to talk about their children — Damon and Tahnee.

It had been nearly 15 years since they had last seen each other. When they met again, the focus wasn’t on the past or their lost love. Instead, they talked about their kids and their futures. Raquel said James was doing well, and he seemed proud of her success too.

It was a quiet reunion — no drama, no headlines — just two people who had once shared something real, coming together for their children.

Raquel Welch’s Public Words About James

In her 2010 memoir, Raquel: Beyond the Cleavage, Raquel spoke very openly about James Westley Welch. She said he was her first true love, the kind of love that never truly goes away.

She called him her Prince Charming and wrote that from the moment she saw him, she felt she was destined to build a life with him. Even though their marriage didn’t last, she said he was the man all others would be compared to.

Raquel also said leaving James was her life’s hardest decision. She felt deep regret about how it affected him and their kids. Her words showed just how much he had meant to her — not just in the past, but always.

James Westley Welch’s Legacy

James didn’t chase fame. He didn’t become a celebrity. But his story still lives on — through Raquel’s words, their two children, and the name she proudly kept.

He’s remembered as a quiet, kind man who once held the heart of a rising star. His daughter Tahnee went on to act and model, while Damon worked behind the scenes in film and television. That creative spark continued in both of them.

Even though he lived away from the cameras, James Westley Welch is part of Hollywood history. Not for what he did on screen — but for the deep love he shared with one of its brightest stars.

Final Thoughts

The story of James Westley Welch is not just about being Raquel Welch’s ex-husband. It’s about first love, young dreams, and a deep connection that never truly faded.

He was there before the fame, before the awards, before the spotlight. He knew Raquel when she was still Jo Raquel Tejada, a girl full of hope and talent. And though their time together was short, it was powerful enough to last a lifetime.

Sometimes, the most beautiful stories are the quiet ones. James Westley Welch didn’t speak much to the public — but through Raquel’s love and memory, his story will always be remembered.

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