Susan Cavallari was the third wife and later the widow of Clint Walker, the famous actor who played Cheyenne Bodie in the TV Western Cheyenne. She became part of his life in 1997, long after his biggest years in Hollywood. Unlike her husband, Susan stayed away from fame and kept most of her life private.

She and Clint married on March 7, 1997, and remained together for more than 21 years. They spent much of their later life in Grass Valley, California. Susan also joined him at a few public events linked to his Western career.

Her story is closely tied to Clint’s final years, family life, and retirement period. This article covers their marriage, home life, public appearances, family ties, Clint Walker’s death, and Susan’s later years using only details that can be verified.

Quick Bio

Who Was Susan Cavallari?

Susan Cavallari became known to the public through her marriage to Clint Walker. She was not an actress or television star. She also did not build a public career around her husband’s name.

Her family history has a few clear public details. Her mother was Pauline J. Cavallari. Pauline’s obituary listed Susan with her brothers, Tony Cavallari and Phil Cavallari.

That notice also called her “Susan (Clint) Walker.” It confirms the marriage link through a family record. Still, little is known about Susan’s early work or school years.

That is worth keeping in mind. Many online profiles fill such gaps with guesses. A good biography should not do that.

When Did Susan Cavallari Marry Clint Walker?

Susan Cavallari married Clint Walker on March 7, 1997. It was Walker’s third marriage. His second wife, Giselle Hennessy, had died in 1994.

By 1997, Walker had already spent many years in film and television. His biggest years as a TV Western star were long behind him. Susan entered his life during a calmer part of his career.

Their marriage lasted until May 21, 2018. That means they were husband and wife for a little more than 21 years. The dates give a clearer picture than vague claims about their time together.

Walker was still well known among Western fans. But his daily life was far less tied to Hollywood by then. Susan shared that quieter stage of his life.

A Quiet Marriage Away From Hollywood

The couple did not make their marriage part of a public show. They appeared together at some events, but not often. Susan rarely gave interviews or spoke about their home life.

One public event came on August 5, 2000. The couple attended the 18th Annual Golden Boot Awards in Beverly Hills. The event honored people linked to Western film and television.

Clint had received a Golden Boot Award in 1997. So the event fit his long link with Western entertainment. Susan attended as his wife rather than as a public figure in her own right.

The couple also appeared together on September 22, 2012. They attended an event at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills. By then, Cheyenne had been off television for many years.

Life in Grass Valley California

Susan Cavallari and Clint were closely linked to Grass Valley, California, during their later years. The city became an important part of Walker’s life after his busiest acting years.

Grass Valley sits in Nevada County in Northern California. It is far from the daily film business of Los Angeles. That setting matched Walker’s long interest in outdoor life and the American West.

Susan’s life there stayed mostly outside the press. There were no regular reports about the couple’s daily routine. This was not unusual for people who did not seek media attention.

Public photos show them at some events. But those moments were rare. Their marriage seems to have been lived far more at home than on red carpets.

Who Was Clint Walker?

Clint Walker was born Norman Eugene Walker on May 30, 1927. He was born in Hartford, Illinois. At 6 feet 6 inches tall, he had a look that made him easy to spot on screen.

Before acting, he worked several jobs. He also served in the United States Merchant Marine. His life changed after he entered the film and television business.

His major break came with Cheyenne. The series started in 1955. Walker played Cheyenne Bodie, a strong and calm hero who traveled through the American West.

The show made Walker a major TV star. It also helped make him one of the best known Western actors of his era. His size, deep voice, and simple acting style suited the role.

Clint Walker’s Movies and Television Work

Walker worked in both television and film. His best known role stayed Cheyenne, but he also appeared in several major movies.

His film credits included Fort Dobbs, Yellowstone Kelly, The Night of the Grizzly, and The Dirty Dozen. He also had a small role in The Ten Commandments.

In 1967, The Dirty Dozen gave him one of his best known film parts. The war movie had a large cast and became a major hit. Walker played Samson Posey.

His career later slowed, but fans still remembered Cheyenne. That lasting interest also kept attention on Susan Cavallari after she married him.

Clint Walker’s Earlier Marriages and Daughter

Before Susan, Walker had been married twice. He married Verna Garver in 1948. They had one daughter named Valerie Walker.

Valerie was born in 1950. She later became a commercial airline pilot. Walker and Verna divorced in 1968 after about 20 years of marriage.

Walker married Giselle Hennessy in 1974. They stayed married until her death in 1994. Three years later, he married Susan.

This family history made Susan the stepmother of Walker’s adult daughter. No verified record shows that Susan and Clint had children together.

Susan Cavallari and Clint Walker’s Public Appearances

Susan Cavallari did attend selected events with Walker. These appearances give a rare public look at their marriage.

The 2000 Golden Boot Awards are one example. Photos from that event show Susan beside Clint in Beverly Hills. They looked comfortable in a setting linked to his Western career.

Another clear appearance came in 2012 at the Paley Center. The event celebrated classic television. Walker still had a strong fan base because of Cheyenne.

Susan was present, but she did not seek the center of attention. That pattern stayed the same across the couple’s public years.

What Happened When Clint Walker Died?

Clint Walker died on May 21, 2018, in Grass Valley, California. The cause was congestive heart failure. He died only nine days before his 91st birthday.

Susan Cavallari was still married to him at the time. Major reports on his death listed Susan as his surviving wife. Their marriage ended with his death after more than 21 years.

Walker had survived a much earlier health crisis. In 1971, a ski pole went through his chest during an accident. It reached his heart.

Doctors saved his life, and he later returned to work. He lived for another 47 years after that accident. Susan shared the final two decades of his life.

Susan Cavallari After Clint Walker’s Death

After 2018, Susan remained out of the public eye. She did not begin giving interviews or appear often in entertainment news.

Fans of Walker continued to share old photos of the couple. Many of those images came from awards shows and TV events. They kept Susan’s name linked to Walker’s story.

Reports from fan groups later said that Susan Cavallari died on April 6, 2023. Those posts gave her age as 80.

Public records about her death are much thinner than those about Clint. For that reason, the April 2023 date should be treated as a reported date rather than expanded with details that have not been firmly confirmed.

The Cavallari Family

Susan’s mother, Pauline J. Cavallari, died in 2011 at age 94. Her obituary offers one of the clearest records about Susan’s own family.

Pauline had ties to Lansing, Illinois, and Shelby, Indiana. Her children included Susan, Tony, and Phil.

The obituary listed Susan with Clint Walker’s name. This small detail helps confirm the family connection without relying on celebrity gossip sites.

There is far less public information about Susan’s work and younger years. That may seem unusual for the wife of a famous actor. But Susan never lived as a public celebrity.

Why Are Fans Still Interested in Susan Cavallari?

Interest in Susan Cavallari comes mainly from Walker’s long fame. New viewers still discover Cheyenne, while older fans continue to follow stories about its star.

Susan was also part of Walker’s later life. She attended some events with him and lived with him during his retirement years.

Yet she stayed outside the usual celebrity spotlight. That contrast creates natural interest. People know a great deal about Clint but much less about his final wife.

Her name also appears in family searches about Walker. Anyone tracing his marriages reaches the same clear date: Susan and Clint married on March 7, 1997.

Key Facts About Susan Cavallari

• Married Clint Walker on March 7, 1997.
• Became the actor’s third wife.
• Shared more than 21 years of marriage with Walker.
• Lived with him in Grass Valley, California.
• Attended the Golden Boot Awards in August 2000.
• Appeared with Walker at the Paley Center in September 2012.
• Became Walker’s widow on May 21, 2018.
• Was the daughter of Pauline J. Cavallari.
• Had brothers named Tony Cavallari and Phil Cavallari.
• Became stepmother to Valerie Walker through marriage.
• Had no verified children with Clint Walker.
• Was reported by fan groups to have died on April 6, 2023.

FAQs

Who was Susan Cavallari to Clint Walker?

Susan Cavallari was Clint Walker’s third wife. They married on March 7, 1997, and stayed together until his death in 2018.

How long were Susan Cavallari and Clint Walker married?

They were married for a little more than 21 years. Their marriage lasted from March 7, 1997, to May 21, 2018.

Did Susan Cavallari and Clint Walker have children?

No verified public record shows that they had children together. Clint’s daughter, Valerie Walker, came from his first marriage to Verna Garver.

Where did Susan Cavallari and Clint Walker live?

The couple were closely linked to Grass Valley, California. Walker spent his later years there and died there in May 2018.

When did Susan Cavallari die?

Fan memorial reports state that Susan died on April 6, 2023, at age 80. Public records about her death remain limited.