Chuck Norris mourns first wife Dianne Holecheck after death aged 84 following dementia battle

Chuck Norris and his sons are grieving the loss of the actor's first wife, Diane Holecheck, after her death aged 84.

Their son Mike Norris confirmed the news to TMZ, telling them that his mother passed away peacefully at home in Texas, following a battle with dementia.

Mike told the outlet, "We are thankful she is no longer suffering. She was the best, the greatest mum. We were so lucky to have her."

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Chuck, now 85, and Dianne met in high school in the late 1950s, deciding to get married in 1958, aged 18 and 17, respectively.

They eventually had two children together, Mike (born 1962) and younger brother Eric Norris (born 1965).

The martial arts star also shared a statement to his Facebook page.

It read, "I am deeply saddened to share that my ex-wife, Dianne, has passed away. After being married for 30 years, we were able to find a way to remain close friends, and those years of friendship meant the world to me.

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"Dianne was an incredible person. She was kind, intelligent, and lived life to the fullest. Her presence in my life will never be forgotten. She was also a loving and devoted mother to our sons, Mike and Eric, who were always her greatest pride.

"Even as our lives took different directions, we continued to care deeply for one another, and I will forever cherish the memories we built together."

During their years together, the actor had an affair with a woman during his time in the United States Air Force, not telling her he was married to Holechek.

The relationship resulted in the birth of the action star's daughter Dina, born in 1962.

The pair split in 1989, with Norris going on to marry model Gena O'Kelley in 1998 and welcoming two more children, fraternal twins Dakota and Danilee (born 2001).

Holecheck stood by her husband as he went from martial artist instructor to the stars to a Hollywood action icon himself.

He first gained recognition after appearing in the Bruce Lee film Way of the Dragon, later appearing in Delta Force, Walker, Texas Ranger, and many more.

Chuck and Diane's son Mike followed in his father's footsteps, going into action and stunt work, while Eric is a former NASCAR driver.

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