Alma Gonzales is best known as the first wife of American actor Richard Thomas, who played John-Boy Walton in The Waltons. Before their marriage, Alma taught English and was a self-taught dancer in Los Angeles.
Alma and Richard married in 1975 and had four children, including triplet daughters. They separated in 1992 after about 17 years together. Since the divorce, Alma has stayed away from the public eye.
Alma Gonzales’ Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Alma Gonzales |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Date of birth | Not publicly confirmed |
| Age | Not publicly known |
| Education | Attended a local junior college |
| Profession | Former dancer; previously taught English |
| Known for | Richard Thomas’ first wife |
| Former husband | Richard Thomas |
| Marriage date | February 14, 1975 |
| Separation | 1992 |
| Divorce | Around 1993 |
| Children | Richard Jr., Barbara, Gwyneth, and Pilar |
| Current relationship | Not publicly known |
| Net worth | Not reliably known |
Alma Gonzales’ Early Life
Alma Gonzales was born in Los Angeles, California.
Her exact date of birth and age have not been publicly confirmed. There is also little reliable information about her parents or siblings.
Alma attended a local junior college in Los Angeles. The name of the college and details about her studies are not publicly known.
Her Work Before Marriage
Before becoming known as Richard Thomas’ wife, Alma reportedly taught English to members of the Chicano community in Los Angeles.
She was also interested in dance.
Alma was a self-taught dancer and did not have formal ballet training. She danced at The Fez, a Middle Eastern nightclub in Los Angeles known for folk dancing.
This was where she met Richard Thomas.
How Alma Met Richard Thomas
Alma Gonzales and Richard met at The Fez during the 1970s.
Richard noticed Alma while she was dancing. He later said she stood out as one of the best dancers there.
Dance was already familiar to Richard because he grew up around it. His parents were dancers and ran the New York School of Ballet.
Alma and Richard began a relationship after meeting at the nightclub.
Who Is Richard Thomas?
Richard Thomas is an American actor best known for playing John-Boy Walton in the CBS family drama The Waltons.
He first played John-Boy in The Homecoming: A Christmas Story before continuing the role in The Waltons.
His performance on the series earned him an Emmy Award. He also received Golden Globe nominations.
Richard continued acting after leaving The Waltons and built a long career in television, film, and theater.
Their Marriage
Alma Gonzales and Richard married on February 14, 1975, which was Valentine’s Day.
Their wedding took place at Richard’s childhood Baptist church on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York.
The ceremony was small and private.
After the wedding, they spent their honeymoon in New York City. One report says Richard took Alma on a horse-drawn cab ride around Central Park.
Their Four Children
Alma and Richard became parents to four children:
- Richard Jr.
- Barbara
- Gwyneth
- Pilar
Their first child, Richard Jr., was reportedly born in 1976.
About five years later, Alma gave birth to triplet daughters.
Their Triplet Daughters
The triplets are named:
Barbara, Gwyneth, and Pilar
Reports say Alma Gonzales and Richard originally thought they were expecting twins. Twins reportedly ran in their families.
During a medical check-up, doctors discovered another heartbeat. They then learned that Alma was carrying three babies.
The triplets were reportedly born around 1981.
Alma as a Mother
During their marriage, Richard spoke positively about Alma as a mother.
He described her as someone who took pride in caring for her family while still being her own person.
Richard was also involved in raising their children. He later said he took them to school and helped make breakfast and dinner.
The family lived in the Hollywood Hills for part of their marriage.
Alma and Richard’s Divorce
After about 17 years together, their marriage began to end in 1992.
Sources give slightly different dates for the divorce. One says Alma Gonzales filed in 1992, while another gives 1993. Reports indicate that the couple separated in 1992 and their divorce was completed around 1993.
Alma reportedly cited irreconcilable differences.
Why Did They Divorce?
Alma Gonzales spoke about the separation at the time.
She said she had not been happy in the marriage. She also explained that there was no single reason for their problems.
According to Alma, her needs were not being met in the relationship.
She still described Richard as a good person and said she was thankful that their separation did not become bitter.
Richard’s Reaction to the Divorce
The divorce was reportedly unexpected for Richard.
Actor Bruce Davison, a friend of Richard, said Richard was surprised when Alma wanted to separate.
Richard later said the divorce was not his decision and that it was a difficult period in his life.
He also said he went to therapy during that time.
Raising Their Children After Divorce
Alma and Richard tried to keep their separation peaceful because of their four children.
They reportedly shared custody, and the children spent time with both parents.
After leaving the family home, Richard rented a house nearby so he could remain close to the children.
The former couple continued communicating about their children after separating.
Richard Thomas Remarried
Richard later met art dealer Georgiana Bischoff in 1993.
They married on November 20, 1994.
Alma and Richard’s children were involved in the wedding. Richard Jr. reportedly served as his father’s best man, while Barbara, Gwyneth, and Pilar were among the bridesmaids.
Georgiana already had two daughters, Brooke and Kendra, from an earlier relationship.
Richard and Georgiana later welcomed a son named Montana in 1996.
This gave Richard a blended family of seven children.
What Happened to Alma Gonzales?
Alma largely left public life after her divorce.
Unlike Richard, she did not continue appearing regularly in entertainment news or at major public events.
There is little reliable information about her current work or where she lives today.
She has also not publicly confirmed another marriage or relationship.
Did Alma Gonzales Remarry?
There is no reliable public information showing that Alma remarried after Richard Thomas.
Her current relationship status is not publicly known.
Alma Gonzales’s Social Media
Alma Gonzales does not have any widely known or verified public social media accounts.
Because she has lived privately for many years, little information about her daily life is available online.
Net Worth
Alma Gonzales’ personal net worth is not reliably known.
There is not enough public financial information to give an accurate estimate of her wealth.
Interesting Facts
- Alma Gonzales was born in Los Angeles, California.
- Her exact birthday and age are not publicly confirmed.
- She attended a local junior college in Los Angeles.
- She reportedly taught English before her marriage.
- She was a self-taught dancer.
- She danced at The Fez nightclub in Los Angeles.
- She met Richard Thomas while dancing at The Fez.
- Alma and Richard married on February 14, 1975.
- She was Richard Thomas’ first wife.
- They had four children together.
- Their son Richard Jr. was reportedly born in 1976.
- Their daughters Barbara, Gwyneth, and Pilar are triplets.
- Alma and Richard separated in 1992.
- Their divorce was completed around 1993.
- They continued to share parenting duties after separating.
- Alma has kept her life private since the divorce.
- Her current relationship and net worth are not publicly confirmed.
