Chuck Norris’s Mom, Who’s Been Inspiring Him to Achieve His Goals Since Childhood, Turned 101 This Year
“Chuck Norris doesn’t read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.” Most of us know him as a tough and merciless action movie hero. But very few people know about his mother, Wilma, who had to raise 3 sons alone and overcome many hardships in her life. So today, we would like to tell you the story of this wonderful family.
Chuck’s childhood wasn’t easy, just like his mother’s.
Wilma with her sons: Aaron, Wieland and Carlos (known as Chuck)
Carlos Ray Norris (this is the real name of the actor) was born in 1940 and was the oldest of 3 brothers. According to Chuck, his childhood was downbeat. They didn’t have money, and his mother’s health wasn’t in the best shape. Chuck’s father cwas not an exemplary parent, so Chuck grew very introverted and didn’t do well at school. He was also totally unathletic.
His mother’s childhood wasn’t easy either. Wilma was raised in poverty. At 8, she was given away as a ward of the state. She was treated for 2 years for a rare disease, and after she returned healthy, the Great Depression started, which left many people on the edge of survival.
When Chuck was 16, his father left the family. The oldest son had to fulfil the role of the household head, and this, according to him, prepared him for the hardships he would experience in the future.
Chuck’s mother was a role model to him in how to be persistent in life and believe in yourself. Despite facing poverty and more than 30 different surgeries and cancer treatment, all these hardships never stopped this strong woman.
Wilma taught Chuck to never give up.
The main thing that Wilma instilled in her children was this:
She knew quite well what she was talking about. This helped Chuck get the right state of mind to find success for himself. After serving in the army, Chuck began a successful career in martial arts. First, he taught in a few different schools. Actor Steve McQueen and Elvis Presley’s wife, Priscilla, were among his clients. Later, he began to participate in karate tournaments. Even though he was defeated by a few fighters at the beginning of his career, after that he became an “indestructible” machine. He fought professionally for 10 years, won many championships, and retired undefeated.
Such a talent didn’t go unnoticed, and Chuck was invited to work on films. While working, he met Bruce Lee. The two became friends, and eventually Bruce offered him a role in his iconic movie Way of the Dragon.
After that, Norris’s career took off. But Chuck doesn’t just work on film and TV. Just like his mother taught him, he didn’t stop there. Now he’s also a writer, and some of his books have become bestsellers. They cover not only martial arts but also philosophy and literature. He’s also involved in charity activities.
Chuck and Wilma have taken care of each other all their life.
This family had to go through another hardship in the 1970s when one of Chuck’s brothers, Wieland, died. And Wilma was often sick, so Chuck was always by her side. He even nursed her 24 hours a day when she was diagnosed with arthritis:
His mom also always supports him. The actor has been married more than once, but he’s now happily married to model Gena O’Kelley. They’ve been together for almost 24 years. Norris thanks his mother for this blessing. “She even prayed for me to find a woman to change my life, and it worked.”
Wilma turned 101 years old this year. Chuck never stops thanking her for everything he’s achieved with her support. In an interview, he revealed that when his mother turned 100, they had this conversation:
As you can see, the lady has a wonderful sense of humor. This year, the actor declared his love for her again. “Happy Birthday, mom! 101 years young! Wow! There are no words to describe how much I love and appreciate you. Thank you for everything you have done for us over the many years we stay together.”
How would you describe your relationship with your mother?