James Westley Welch: Who Was Raquel Welch’s First Husband?

James Westley Welch is an American former tuna fisherman best known as the first husband of legendary actress Raquel Welch. The two were high school sweethearts before marrying in 1959 and starting a family together. Their young romance, marriage, and eventual divorce have continued to attract attention because James remained an important part of Raquel’s early life. They had two children, Damon Welch and Latanne Rene “Tahnee” Welch. In this article, we explore James Westley Welch’s early life, education, work, relationship with Raquel, marriage, divorce, children, and his lasting connection to the famous actress.

Quick Bio

Who Is James Westley Welch?

James Westley Welch, also known as Jim Welch, is an American man who became widely known because of his relationship with actress Raquel Welch. Before Raquel became an internationally recognized actress, James was her high school sweetheart and later her first husband. His own working life was very different from Hollywood, as he worked as a tuna fisherman. Their relationship began when they were young and eventually developed into marriage and parenthood. Although their marriage ended before Raquel reached the height of her fame, James remained an important person in her personal story because they shared two children and several important years together.

James Westley Welch’s Early Life

James Westley Welch was born in 1940 in San Diego, California, United States. He was raised by his mother, Tahnee Land, and grew up alongside his siblings Jan, Jerry, and Judy. His childhood was spent in Southern California, far away from the celebrity attention that would later become connected with his name. James grew up as an ordinary young man and eventually attended La Jolla High School. These teenage years became especially important because it was during this period that he met the young woman who would later become famous around the world as Raquel Welch. Their meeting changed the direction of both their personal lives.

His Education and High School Years

James attended La Jolla High School, where his relationship with Raquel began. During their school years, James played football, while Raquel was a cheerleader. Their shared high school environment gave them the opportunity to get to know each other before they entered adult life. James reportedly left school before completing his studies. However, his high school years remain one of the most discussed parts of his biography because this was when his romance with Raquel developed. Their connection was much more than a brief teenage friendship and eventually became serious enough for the young couple to consider marriage and building a family together.

James Westley Welch’s Career as a Tuna Fisherman

James Westley Welch worked as a tuna fisherman. His profession was very different from the entertainment career that later made his former wife famous. Tuna fishing required practical skills and physically demanding work, giving James a working life outside acting, television, and Hollywood. His occupation also reflects the coastal environment surrounding San Diego, where he was born and raised. Although much of the attention surrounding James focuses on his marriage, his profession formed part of his independent identity. He was already living an ordinary working life while Raquel was still at the beginning of the journey that would eventually make her a major film star.

How James Westley Welch Met Raquel Welch

James and Raquel met during their high school years and soon developed a romantic relationship. Raquel was around 15 when she first noticed James. At the time, she was a cheerleader, while James was involved with the school football team. She was strongly attracted to his appearance and calm personality, and their teenage romance soon became serious. Raquel viewed James as her first true love and imagined creating a family with him. Their connection continued beyond an ordinary school romance, and the two became determined to stay together. That youthful attachment eventually led them toward marriage while they were still beginning their adult lives.

James Westley Welch and Raquel Welch’s Marriage

James Westley Welch and Raquel married in Las Vegas on May 8, 1959, shortly after Raquel completed high school. Their decision to marry came when both were still very young and learning how to manage adult responsibilities. Raquel chose to marry James despite her father’s opposition to the relationship. Their marriage quickly brought new responsibilities, including finding work, managing a home, and raising children. Raquel was learning basic household duties while James searched for employment. What had started as an exciting high school romance was now a real marriage, requiring both of them to adjust quickly to family life and financial responsibilities.

Becoming Young Parents

Parenthood came very early in James and Raquel’s marriage. Their first child, Damon Welch, was born on November 6, 1959, only months after their wedding. Raquel was just 19 when she became a mother, making the transition from teenager to wife and parent especially fast. Their second child, Latanne Rene “Tahnee” Welch, arrived on December 26, 1961. Raising two young children created additional responsibilities for the couple while they were still trying to establish themselves. These early experiences shaped an important period of Raquel’s life before her Hollywood success and permanently connected James and Raquel through their son and daughter.

Why James Westley Welch and Raquel Welch Separated

James and Raquel’s relationship gradually became difficult as they dealt with marriage and parenthood at a young age. They had entered married life shortly after high school and quickly faced responsibilities that neither had experienced before. Raquel later viewed becoming a mother at 19 as painfully young, and the pressures surrounding their early family life contributed to problems within their marriage. Their teenage love had developed quickly into a household with two children and growing responsibilities. Eventually, the relationship could not continue in the same way. James and Raquel separated in 1962, three years after their wedding and shortly after becoming parents for the second time.

James Westley Welch and Raquel Welch’s Divorce

After separating in 1962, James Westley Welch and Raquel Welch officially divorced in 1964. Their marriage had lasted approximately five years, bringing an end to a relationship that had begun when they were teenagers. Although the marriage ended, their lives remained connected because they were parents to Damon and Tahnee. The divorce also happened before Raquel reached the greatest years of her entertainment career. She later became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actresses, but James remained an important figure from her earlier life. Their story is therefore remembered as the youthful relationship that existed before fame dramatically changed Raquel’s public and professional life.

Why Raquel Welch Kept James’ Last Name

One of the most interesting connections between James and Raquel continued long after their divorce. Raquel was born Jo Raquel Tejada, but after marrying James, she became Raquel Welch. Even though their marriage officially ended in 1964, she continued using Welch as her professional surname throughout her career. As her acting success grew, the name Raquel Welch became internationally recognizable. She never returned to using Tejada as her main professional surname. As a result, James’ family name became permanently connected with one of Hollywood’s best-known actresses, remaining part of her public identity until her death on February 15, 2023.

James Westley Welch’s Son, Damon Welch

James and Raquel’s first child, Damon Welch, was born on November 6, 1959. He grew up with a strong connection to the entertainment industry through his famous mother. Damon later became associated with acting and production work. His credits include Raquel: Total Beauty and Fitness from 1984 and The Day the Earth Got Stoned from 1979. Although he never achieved the same level of international fame as his mother, Damon remains an important part of the Welch family story. As the first child of James and Raquel, his birth marked their transition from newly married high school sweethearts into young parents.

James Westley Welch’s Daughter, Tahnee Welch

James and Raquel welcomed their daughter, Latanne Rene “Tahnee” Welch, on December 26, 1961. Tahnee later followed a path closer to her mother’s entertainment career, becoming a model and actress. She appeared in several film projects and became particularly recognized for her performance in the 1985 science-fiction film Cocoon. Her other acting work includes Sleeping Beauty from 1987 and I Shot Andy Warhol from 1996. Tahnee also worked as a model, developing her own identity within entertainment and fashion. Through Damon and Tahnee, James Westley Welch became the father of two children connected with the entertainment industry.

Raquel Welch’s Life After Their Divorce

Raquel’s life changed greatly after her marriage to James ended. She built a successful acting career and became an internationally famous screen personality. She also married three more times. Raquel married producer Patrick Curtis in 1967, but their marriage ended in 1972. She later married André Weinfeld in 1980, and they divorced in 1990. Her fourth husband was Richard Palmer, whom she married in 1999 before divorcing in 2004. Despite these later marriages, her first husband remained significant to her early story. She also continued carrying the Welch surname professionally throughout her career, strengthening the lasting connection between her public identity and James.

James Westley Welch’s Connection to Raquel’s Legacy

James occupies a unique position in Raquel Welch’s life story because he knew her before worldwide fame arrived. Their relationship began when they were teenagers, long before major movies, celebrity appearances, and Hollywood recognition became part of her life. Their marriage may have ended after only a few years, but it shaped important parts of Raquel’s early adulthood. James was her first husband and the father of her only two children. Perhaps most significantly, the Welch surname remained attached to Raquel throughout her career. This means James’ name indirectly became connected with a Hollywood identity recognized by audiences for several generations.

Final Thoughts

James Westley Welch is best remembered as Raquel Welch’s high school sweetheart, first husband, and the father of her two children. Born in San Diego in 1940, James lived a much quieter life and worked as a tuna fisherman. His relationship with Raquel began during their teenage years, leading to marriage in 1959 and the births of Damon and Tahnee. They separated in 1962 and finalized their divorce in 1964. Although their marriage was relatively short, its influence lasted much longer. Raquel retained the Welch surname throughout her celebrated career, keeping an enduring connection to an important chapter of her early life.

FAQs About James Westley Welch

Who was James Westley Welch?

James Westley Welch was an American tuna fisherman best known as Raquel Welch’s first husband and high school sweetheart. They married in 1959 and had two children, Damon Welch and Tahnee Welch, before divorcing in 1964.

Who was Raquel Welch’s first husband?

Raquel Welch’s first husband was James Westley Welch. They met while attending high school and developed a teenage romance. The couple married in Las Vegas on May 8, 1959, and later became parents to two children.

How old is James Westley Welch?

James Westley Welch was born in 1940 in San Diego, California. Based on the birth year given in his profile, he was listed as 85 years old in 2025.

How many children did James Westley Welch and Raquel Welch have?

James and Raquel Welch had two children together. Their son, Damon Welch, was born on November 6, 1959, while their daughter, Latanne Rene “Tahnee” Welch, was born on December 26, 1961.

Why did Raquel Welch keep James Welch’s surname?

Raquel continued using the Welch surname after their divorce and made it part of her professional identity. As her Hollywood career grew, Raquel Welch became her internationally recognized name, which she continued using throughout her life.