We’re all familiar with the glass shattering. We know the black trunks, the beer baths and the “What?” chants that remain ubiquitous in wrestling arenas today. But long before Steve Austin became the “Texas Rattlesnake”—long before he was even “Stunning” Steve—he was a guy named Steven Williams from Edna, Texas. And right next to him, in those lean years of high school football and dreaming of something bigger, was Kathryn Burrhus.
In the professional wrestling business, former wives often become part of the script. They are drawn into story lines; they author tell-all books or show up on podcasts to air decades-old laundry. But Kathryn? She took an almost unheard-of step at a time when social media and reality television exerted immense influence. She chose silence.
Cut to March 2026, and fans are still sifting through archives of old forums and wrestling databases speculating the same: What Happened to Steve Austin’s Ex-Wife, Kathryn Burrhus? In fact, the answer tells us so much more about her character than any 20-minute promo would.
From Small-Town Sweethearts to Ring-Side Reality
In a small town like Edna, Texas, everyone knows everyone’s business. Kathryn and Steve were the perfect high school couple. She saw him as the star linebacker, not as the global icon. They weren’t pursuing stardom back then—they were simply two kids in love.
They finally got married on Nov. 24, 1990. Steve was just starting out at the time, training under Chris Adams. It wasn’t a life of private jets and mansions. It was a life of long drives, cheap motels, and “ribs” (pro wrestling pranks) that often took a toll on a marriage.
I’ve talked to folks who followed the Texas wrestling scene in the early 90s, and they’ll tell you that the travel schedule of a young wrestler is a relationship killer. You’re not at home for 300 days a year, nibbling on caviar with a salary barely above peanuts — and temptation is constant on the highway. For Kathryn, this dream that Steve was pursuing began to seem more like a nightmare for their home life.
The Breaking Point: A Very Public Betrayal
The marriage lasted less than two years. By early 1992, everything was coming undone. The crazy part is that Steve’s breakup with his wife became a mere footnote in wrestling history, all because of who he moved on with: Jeanie Clarke, better known as “Lady Blossom”.
Jeanie was the former girlfriend of Steve’s trainer, Chris Adams. When Steve and Jeanie began an affair, it was not simply a personal betrayal to Kathryn; it became part of the wrestling “work”. While Kathryn was at home, Steve was travelling the world with Jeanie.
The divorce was finalised on August 7, 1992. In fact, the marriage was officially annulled. Just like that, the high school sweetheart was edited out of the picture. Most people in her shoes would’ve been bitter. They would’ve gone to the tabloids. But Kathryn just… walked away.
What Happened to Steve Austin’s Ex-Wife, Kathryn Burrhus?
So, where is she now? In 2026, she’s essentially the “J.D. Salinger” of wrestling ex-wives. While Steve’s later marriages to Jeanie Clarke and Debra Marshall were filled with headlines and, in Debra’s case, very serious legal allegations, Kathryn stayed in the shadows.
Here is what we actually know about her life today:
- She’s a Privacy Ninja: You won’t find a verified Kathryn Burrhus on TikTok or Instagram. She isn’t out there posting “Throwback Thursday” photos of her and Steve at prom.
- The Texas Connection: Rumors in the wrestling community suggest she stayed in Texas, possibly running a small business or working in community service.
- Zero “Clout” Chasing: Even when “Stone Cold” became the biggest star in the history of the business, Kathryn never tried to cash in. She didn’t sell her story to Pro Wrestling Illustrated or sit down with TMZ.
- A Life of Dignity: Many fans, as noted in a 2025 profile by CIOThink, view her as the ultimate class act. She moved on and built a life that had nothing to do with the “Stone Cold” brand.
The Financial Mystery
People always want to know about the money. Net worth sites—which, let’s be honest, are usually just educated guesses—estimate her value between $200,000 and $1 million.
Look, unless she had an incredible divorce lawyer back in ’92 (unlikely, given Steve wasn’t rich yet), that money probably came from her own hard work. Whether she’s a successful real estate agent or a retired teacher, she’s clearly done okay for herself without a WWE royalty check.
Why We Are Still Obsessed With Her Story
Why does a woman who hasn’t been in the public eye for over thirty years still get searched on Google? It’s because she represents the “Human” side of Steve Austin.
As reported in a retrospective by Sports Illustrated, Kathryn was there for the struggle. She knew the man before the character. For fans, she’s the link to a version of Steve Austin that doesn’t exist anymore—the kid from Edna who just wanted to play football and maybe make a few bucks in the ring.
There’s a certain respect for someone who can walk away from a billion-dollar legacy and say, “No thanks, I’ll just live my life.” In an era where everyone is trying to be “famous for being famous,” Kathryn Burrhus is a breath of fresh air.
FAQ
Did Kathryn Burrhus and Steve Austin have kids?
No. Unlike his marriage to Jeanie Clarke, which resulted in three daughters, Steve’s marriage to Kathryn ended without children.
Was she ever on TV?
Briefly. She did appear in the background for a WCW storyline where Austin and Chris Adams had their famous feud, but she never became a regular “personality” or manager.
Is she still in contact with Steve?
Highly unlikely. Steve has been with his fourth wife, Kristin, since 2009 and happily so. Kathryn, by all accounts, has closed that chapter of her book for good.
What is her current net worth in 2026?
As mentioned, it’s mostly speculation. Most industry insiders estimate her net worth at under a million dollars, likely earned during her private career in Texas.
Final Thoughts
Most importantly, at the end of the day, Kathryn Burrhus certainly teaches us a valuable lesson. Being in someone’s “origin story” doesn’t mean you’re destined to remain in his shadow for all of time. She took a messy situation — a husband’s affair and public career — and rewrote it herself by refusing to engage with the circus.
I really think that that’s part of why she’s so compelling. She’s the only person who doesn’t want to discuss “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. And in a world that’s unable to stop discussing him, that renders her the most intriguing person in the room.
Ever thought about whether you could be that quiet if your ex was now an international sensation? It’s much more difficult than it seems.
Sources and References
- CIOThink Magazine (2025)—”Kathryn Burrhus: Steve Austin’s First Wife’s Quiet Life.” This is probably the most comprehensive modern profile on Kathryn. It details her early years in Edna, Texas, and her steadfast commitment to staying out of the spotlight since the early 90s.
- Sports Illustrated (2024 Update)—”Who Is Stone Cold Steve Austin’s Wife, Kristin Austin?” While focused on his current marriage, this SI feature provides an excellent retrospective on Steve’s relationship timeline, including the “high school sweetheart” era with Kathryn.
- Grunge (March 2023)—”Details You Should Know About Stone Cold Steve Austin’s Ex-Wives.” A gritty, factual look at the transitions between Austin’s marriages, specifically highlighting the overlap between his time with Kathryn and the beginning of his career with Jeanie Clarke.
- The Stone Cold Truth (Memoir)—Steve Austin’s own autobiography (written with Jim Ross and Dennis Brent). While it doesn’t dwell heavily on Kathryn, it offers the most “from the source” context on his headspace during their brief marriage in the early 90s.
- Pro Wrestling Fandom Wiki— For the die-hard fans who need the exact dates and “kayfabe” history. This database tracks his early WCW days, when Kathryn was briefly a “character” in the Chris Adams feud.
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