Five facts about Beth Chapman, Dog the Bounty Hunter’s wife
Correction: An earlier version of this article mistakenly stated that Beth Chapman’s children were adopted. In fact, Bonnie Joanne and Garry Chapman are her biological children. We regret the error.
Reality TV fans suffered a blow this week after “Dog the Bounty Hunter” star Beth Chapman died, days after being put in a medically-induced coma. She was 51.
Chapman was diagnosed with stage 2 throat cancer in 2017. After treatments, the cancer went into remission for a time. Sadly, it returned in 2018, this time as stage 4 lung cancer.
Duane “Dog” Chapman, her husband, announced the news on Twitter on Wednesday, saying she’d “hiked the stairway to heaven” in the early morning hours:
It’s 5:32 in Hawaii, this is the time she would wake up to go hike Koko Head mountain. Only today, she hiked the stairway to heaven. We all love you, Beth. See you on the other side.
— Duane Dog Chapman (@DogBountyHunter) June 26, 2019
Though she was well-known for years on TV, Beth Chapman lived a full life off-camera. Here are a few things you perhaps didn’t know about the tough-as-nails queen of the bail bonds business.
1. She Was A Native Of Denver
Many episodes of “Dog the Bounty Hunter” and “Dog and Beth on the Hunt” were shot in the couple’s stunningly gorgeous adopted home of Hawaii. Here’s an image of their neighborhood, from Chapman’s Instagram account.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpvisslBiAP/
However, they both got their start in Denver, Colorado. The couple maintained a home in Colorado throughout their years together. According to her official biography, Chapman was the youngest person ever in the state of Colorado to receive her bail agent license. That is, she was until her stepdaughter, “Baby” Lyssa, got her license years later.
2. Between The Two Of Them, Beth And Dog Had 12 Children
Dog and Beth teamed up as parents to their kids from previous relationships. The couple had two biological children, Bonnie Joanne and Garry Chapman, as well.
3. She Was An Animal Lover
Don’t let all that black leather and weaponry fool you. As noted in her official bio, Chapman had a huge heart for animals. She wasn’t shy about posting pictures of herself with them on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjQMp6mn0mc/
A quick glance through her Instagram reveals photos of different kinds of animals.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkl44BcHaOp/
She even posted a picture of a deer on a wintry day:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqF8O3shTz7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Maybe it’s not too surprising that she married a guy called Dog! She sure loves posing with her favorite furry friends.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcHolvcnb6Q/
4. She Was Still Interacting With Fans Just Days Before She Died
Her last tweet, dated June 22, was a funny jab at her husband. Apparently, he kept mowing the lawn last week and Beth wondered what was going on:
And that’s the fourth time this week he’s mowed the lawn 🧐
What do you think ? Does the man have something on his mind or he just forgot how many times he’s mowed the lawn #AskingForAFriend— Beth Chapman (@MrsdogC) June 22, 2019
5. She Kept Up Her Glitzy Look Until The End
Chapman rarely let herself be seen without her signature big, blonde hairdo, full makeup and heels — even while tracking down bail jumpers.
She was also a fan of elaborate nail art, often rocking tiny gems and bold colors, as in this Instagram post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bys5eKMBRct/
Her daughter Bonnie Joanne posted a touching Instagram image in the hours after Chapman’s death, showing her holding Chapman’s bedazzled hand on a hospital bed.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzKSc2ZBvIA/
Condolences to her friends and family on the passing of this larger-than-life star!
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly reported that Bonnie Joanne and Garry Chapman were adopted. We regret the error.