famous big brother i Different strokes star Todd Bridges made the surprising announcement in January 2026 that he had separated of his strange wife, Bettijo B. Hirschi.
“I thank God for the time we’ve had together, the lessons we’ve learned and the family we’ve built,” Bridges said. people on January 14, 2024. “Even in this season of change, I trust that it will guide us both to healing, peace, and new beginnings.”
The unexpected split came three years after the couple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Beverly Hills. The couple’s whirlwind romance saw them get engaged and then married months after being introduced by a mutual friend.
Bridges shares two children, son Spencer and daughter Bo, with his first ex-wife. Dori Smith. The actor became stepfather to Hirschi’s four children from a previous relationship when he married the art director and creative strategist in September 2022.
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Keep scrolling to learn more about Bridges and Hirschi’s marriage, as well as their split.
Who is Todd Bridges’ estranged wife Bettijo B. Hirschi?
Bettijo B. Hirschi describes herself as an “art director and creative strategist with a diverse background” in your website. She also touts her experience as an “experienced entrepreneur, photographer, journalist and blogger.”
“(Bettijo) combines business vision with creative vision to create unforgettable experiences in both the real and digital worlds,” says his professional bio.
Before her marriage to Todd Bridges, Hirschi had an established media presence, as it turned out The Martha Stewart Show in 2011 and has partnered with red book, charm i Family Circle in special projects.
“Bettijo often shows up when a project needs to look and feel bigger than the budget on paper,” explains his bio. “She’s known for delivering high production value, tightening storytelling, and pushing every detail until everything feels effortless on the surface, even when there’s a lot going on underneath. She brings head and heart to the process, combining sharp strategy with deeply invested creativity.”
Hirschi had four children from a previous relationship before his 2022 marriage to Bridges.
What has Todd Bridges’ estranged wife, Bettijo B. Hirschi, said about their relationship?
Todd Bridges and Bettijo B. Hirschi discussed their relationship during a December 2024 appearance on The Tamron Hall show. Hirschi mentioned that he had started exploring dating apps after his own past divorce.
“I had such bad experiences with apps,” he admitted. “After six months, I said, I’m fine. I’d rather be alone. I’m fine. No, thank you!”
Around the same time Hirschi swore off dating, a close friend named Mandy decided she wasn’t ready to let the art director give up on love.
“Unbeknownst to me, (my friend) decided to profile me on another app,” Hirschi recalled. “I think Todd might have been the only bachelor he ever met or something!”
Mandy initially tried to use Bridges as “market research” to create a more attractive dating profile for Hirschi.
“She was sending pictures of me (Todd) … She messaged me and said, ‘You have to message my friend (Bridges), he wants to hear from you!’ … She also wrote the text, so I copied and pasted,” Hirschi said with a laugh.
Bridges confessed people in September 2022 that he realized right away that he could no longer help Hirschi create a better dating app profile.
“When I met her, I said, ‘I’m not going to put her with anyone else.’ I want her for myself,” he admitted.
The two began dating soon after and bonded over failing marriages.
“We had both given up on finding something so great, and we were very surprised to be able to give it to each other, and we feel like God helped us get together,” Hirschi acknowledged in September 2022. “We feel very blessed.”
How did Todd Bridges propose to his estranged wife Bettijo B. Hirschi?
Todd Bridges created a romantic proposal on the beach just six months after meeting Bettijo B. Hirschi in early 2022.
“Suddenly I decided that I wanted to marry her and I proposed to her. It was a very nice day, the weather was very good and she loved going to the beach,” he explained. people.
The actor continued: “So we were on the beach and I decided to propose to her. I got down on one knee and I did what I had to do.”
When and where were Todd Bridges and his estranged wife Bettijo B. Hirschi married?
Todd Bridges and Bettijo B. Hirschi were married in front of 70 guests at Greystone Mansion & Gardens in Beverly Hills in September 2022, according to people.
Bridges said at the time that he was thrilled to exchange wedding vows with “someone I’m madly in love with.”
Hirschi initially considered buying her wedding dress off the rack before finishing with his own design.
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“I wasn’t seeing what I wanted because I wanted more coverage,” he said people. “I like classic beauty channeling from the old days, like Audrey Hepburn. So that’s what really inspired me.”
Hirschi continued, “It was all satin, and it was a fitted bodice with a square neck. And then I have long legs, so I made a split skirt that was like a wrap. And then for the ceremony, I had an 80-inch satin train and then a 200-inch long veil.”
The couple had their first dance as husband and wife Etta James‘ from “At Last” and later spent their honeymoon in Hawaii.
What have Todd Bridges and his wife Bettijo B. Hirschi said about their marriage?
Todd Bridges and Bettijo B. Hirschi opened The Tamron Hall show in December 2024 on the spiritual basis of their marriage.
“This is different because (Bettijo) looks a lot like my mom (Betty Alice Pryorwho died at age 83 in August 2024),” Bridges explained.
Later in the interview, he added, “Plus, I’m a lot like his dad. He tells jokes that only I understand!”
They told the host Tamron Room who considered themselves an “interfaith couple” because they come from different Christian backgrounds. Bridges credited Hirschi with helping him “turn (his) life around” because he had been “going out with too many women” before their relationship.
“What really struck me about Todd is that we have a very similar idea of who God is and what He is like and how He interacts with us,” Hirschi explained. “We feel (God) the same way. I feel like God is speaking directly to me as well. . . . I remember saying to my parents, ‘He has a very similar understanding of God that is very similar to the faith I have.’
When did Todd Bridges and his wife Bettijo B. Hirschi separate?
Todd Bridges announced his separation from Bettijo B. Hirschi on January 14, 2026, after several media outlets reported that they had separated.
“After much prayer and consideration, my spouse and I have made the difficult decision to separate,” she confirmed to people. “This was not an easy choice and comes with a heavy heart, but also with love and gratitude for the life we shared.”
The Everyone hates Chris The star said he was grateful for the time we’ve spent together, the lessons we’ve learned and the family we’ve built.
“I ask for privacy as we navigate this transition and continue to lift up my former partner in prayer, wishing them joy and fulfillment in the chapters ahead,” she concluded.