From 1974 until 1984, Henry Winkler was one of the most recognized and famous individuals in the United States. Thanks to his success on the sitcom, Happy Days, he was then and forever will be known as the Fonz.
What many people don’t know is that while the show was going on, he was doing more than wearing a leather jacket and getting mobbed by women everywhere he went. He also decided to settle down with his wife, Stacey Weitzman.
They have been partners with each other for more than four decades and you might be interested in knowing that she also was able to survive cancer two times.
They got together in Los Angeles at a clothing store in 1976. Henry Winkler remembers seeing her that day, saying: “She was wearing purple parachute pants and she had red hair, and without her even saying a word, ‘I thought, Woah, beautiful woman standing in front of me.'”
He went back a week later to start a conversation and within 10 minutes, he said “I learned how strong she is.”
After meeting, they decided to go on a date. At first, she did say no when he asked her to go grab a soda but soon, they were enjoying a drink together. She didn’t know much about his acting career, so it was more of an authentic connection.
They were married two years later in 1978 and their daughter, Zoe, was born in 1980. They would then have a son, Max Winkler in 1983. Henry Winkler also became a stepfather to her son from a previous relationship, Jed Weitzman.
Now that the children have grown, they also have six grandchildren, and he absolutely loves being a grandfather. He said: “It is such a wonderful experience to be with them. [We] watch the sports, watch our granddaughters dance, watch my little granddaughter walk the dog around the house.”
In 2003, Stacey was diagnosed with breast cancer. This also caused a lot of difficulties for Henry, and he admitted: “I went to her chemotherapy infusions, but my support consisted of falling asleep in the chair. I was not there. I’m not proud of that.”
He also took on an acting job during that time which caused him to be away from his wife while she was going through treatments. He wrote in his memoir: “I just couldn’t process this gigantic news. I was terrified, as I know she was, but I was also scared to share my fear with her. Not my finest hour.”
It took time, but her cancer went into remission. It later returned and she had to undergo a double vasectomy. The couple decided they would dedicate their time to help others, and cofounded the Children’s Action Network. It would provide free immunizations to more than 175,000 children and support a national adoption campaign.
They have persevered and their marriage has been going strong for 46 years. They are a great example of a couple that has gone through adversity but has come out on the other side stronger.
