Lyssa Rae Brittain is best known as the third ex-wife of Duane “Dog” Chapman. Their marriage came years before reality TV made the Chapman family famous. She later lived a much quieter life while several members of the family became public figures.

Much of the public record about her comes through her daughter, Lyssa “Baby Lyssa” Chapman. Baby Lyssa later wrote about a difficult childhood in her memoir, Walking on Eggshells. She described family stress, money problems, and a home life that often felt unstable.

Their relationship changed with time. Baby Lyssa later said she and her mother spoke often and had grown closer. That bond survived divorce, distance, family conflict, and the death of Brittain’s oldest daughter.

Quick Bio

Who Is Lyssa Rae Brittain?

Lyssa Rae Brittain became publicly known through her marriage to Duane Chapman. He later became famous as a bounty hunter and television star on Dog the Bounty Hunter.

She did not build a major television career of her own. Brittain stayed far more private than many members of the Chapman family.

Her nickname, Big Lyssa, helped people tell her apart from her youngest daughter. Her daughter is also named Lyssa Rae Chapman and became widely known as Baby Lyssa.

Lyssa Rae Brittain and Duane Chapman

Lyssa Rae Brittain married Duane Chapman in 1982. Duane later said they had known each other for only a short time before the wedding.

He described their ceremony as unusual. According to his account, a Native American chief married them in the mountains of Colorado.

The couple had three children together. Barbara Katie Chapman was born in 1982. Tucker Dee Chapman followed in 1983. Their youngest child, Lyssa Rae Chapman, was born in 1987.

What Was Their Marriage Like?

The marriage ended in 1991. Baby Lyssa later wrote about growing up during a difficult period for the family.

Her memoir describes money problems, stress, and her mother’s drinking. She also tried to understand the problems her mother faced during those years.

That account gives a fuller picture of Lyssa Rae Brittain than her connection to Duane alone. Their home life included real pressure long before reality television entered the family.

Their Three Children

Lyssa Rae Brittain and Duane had three children. Their lives later took very different paths.

Barbara Katie Chapman

Barbara Katie Chapman was born on June 8, 1982. She was the oldest child from the marriage.

Barbara loved animals, music, fishing, and the outdoors. She later became a mother to Travis Drake Lee Mimms Chapman.

She died in a vehicle crash near Fairbanks, Alaska, on May 19, 2006. Barbara was 23 years old.

Her death came one day before Duane married Beth Smith in Hawaii. Brittain later spoke about Barbara and said her daughter had been trying to rebuild her life.

Tucker Dee Chapman

Tucker Dee Chapman was born on September 8, 1983. He is the second child of Brittain and Duane.

Tucker has lived a quieter life than several other members of the Chapman family. He has appeared in public stories about the family but never became a major reality TV figure.

Lyssa Baby Lyssa Chapman

Lyssa Rae Chapman was born on June 10, 1987, in Denver, Colorado.

She later worked in bail bonds and appeared on Dog the Bounty Hunter. Her television role made the names Big Lyssa and Baby Lyssa more familiar to viewers.

The older Lyssa Rae Brittain became known as Big Lyssa, while her daughter became Baby Lyssa.

Life in Alaska

After the divorce, Baby Lyssa spent time with her father before later moving to Alaska to live with her mother.

Accounts of her childhood place them in Anderson, Alaska, a very small town. Baby Lyssa later wrote about that period in her memoir.

Barbara also moved to Alaska with her mother during the 1990s. By the time of Barbara’s death in 2006, public records placed Brittain in the Fairbanks area.

How Did Lyssa Rae Brittain Stay Private?

Lyssa Rae Brittain remained outside the main reality TV spotlight.

When Dog the Bounty Hunter began on A&E in 2004, viewers saw Duane, Beth, Baby Lyssa, and other members of the Chapman family. Brittain did not become part of the regular cast.

She also avoided building a public brand around her former marriage. Her life after the divorce stayed much more private than Duane’s.

A Family Relationship That Changed With Time

Baby Lyssa has spoken openly about the difficult parts of her childhood. Her memoir describes family conflict and emotional strain.

Years later, she said her mother was doing well and that they spoke at least once a week. She also said Brittain was helping care for her grandmother in Colorado.

The bond between mother and daughter survived years of family trouble. Their later contact showed a much calmer relationship than the one Baby Lyssa remembered from childhood.

Facts About Lyssa Rae Brittain

• Known in the Chapman family as Big Lyssa.

• Married Duane “Dog” Chapman in 1982.

• Divorced Duane in 1991.

• Mother of Barbara Katie Chapman, Tucker Dee Chapman, and Lyssa Rae Chapman with Duane.

• Lived in Colorado during part of the marriage.

• Later lived in Alaska.

• Baby Lyssa spent part of her childhood with her in Anderson, Alaska.

• Barbara also lived in Alaska with her mother.

• Barbara died in a car crash on May 19, 2006.

• Barbara was 23 years old at the time of her death.

• Baby Lyssa became a regular face on Dog the Bounty Hunter.

• Brittain did not become a regular reality TV star.

• Baby Lyssa later said they spoke often.

Why Was Her Marriage to Duane Chapman Important?

The marriage took place long before Duane Chapman became a reality TV star.

During their years together, the couple had three children. Those children later became part of the wider Chapman family story.

Baby Lyssa became especially well known through television. Barbara’s death became one of the family’s most painful losses. Tucker kept a much lower public profile.

Her Connection to Dog the Bounty Hunter

Duane became widely known after Dog the Bounty Hunter began airing on A&E.

The show followed his bounty hunting work and often featured members of his family. Baby Lyssa appeared on the series and worked with her father.

Brittain did not take a regular role in the program. Her link to the show came through Duane and their daughter.

Barbara Chapman’s Death

Barbara’s death remains one of the hardest events in the family’s history.

The crash happened near Fairbanks on May 19, 2006. The vehicle left the road, rolled, and struck trees.

Barbara and another person died in the crash. Duane was preparing to marry Beth Chapman in Hawaii at the time.

For Lyssa Rae Brittain, the loss meant the death of her oldest daughter at only 23 years old.

Baby Lyssa and Her Mother

Baby Lyssa has spoken more openly about her childhood than her mother has.

She wrote about pain, confusion, and family problems in Walking on Eggshells. She also described how her bond with both parents changed as she grew older.

Later comments about Brittain were warmer. Baby Lyssa said the two stayed in regular contact.

Their relationship did not remain trapped in the conflicts of the past. Mother and daughter kept a connection into Baby Lyssa’s adult life.

Why Is So Little Known About Her Today?

Brittain has never kept the same public profile as Duane or Baby Lyssa.

She has not spent years appearing on television or giving regular interviews. Most public information about her comes from family accounts and reports tied to major events.

Her exact work history, finances, and daily life have not been widely documented in reliable public records.

Lyssa Rae Brittain’s Place in the Chapman Family

Lyssa Rae Brittain was part of Duane Chapman’s life before the television fame.

Their marriage produced three children who later followed very different paths. Barbara died young. Tucker stayed private. Baby Lyssa joined her father on television.

Brittain remained outside the spotlight. Years later, Baby Lyssa said they still spoke often.

FAQs

Is Lyssa Rae Brittain Duane Chapman’s ex-wife?

Yes. Lyssa Rae Brittain was the third wife of Duane “Dog” Chapman. They married in 1982 and divorced in 1991.

How many children did Lyssa Rae Brittain have with Duane Chapman?

They had three children together: Barbara Katie Chapman, Tucker Dee Chapman, and Lyssa Rae Chapman.

Why is Lyssa Rae Brittain called Big Lyssa?

The family used Big Lyssa to tell her apart from her daughter, Lyssa Rae Chapman, who became known as Baby Lyssa.

Did Lyssa Rae Brittain appear on Dog the Bounty Hunter?

She was not a regular star of Dog the Bounty Hunter. Her daughter Baby Lyssa appeared on the show with Duane.

Where did Lyssa Rae Brittain live after her divorce?

Public family accounts place her in Alaska, including the Anderson and Fairbanks areas. Later comments from Baby Lyssa also placed her in Colorado.