Tatiana Gudegast, Eric Braeden, Dale Gudegast at the “I’ll Be Damned” Book Signing at Barnes & Noble at The Grove on February 13, 2017 in Los Angeles, CA.Photo:Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock
Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock
Eric Braedenand his wife, Dale Russell Gudegast, have been married for over 50 years.
The longtimeThe Young and the Restlessstar married the interior designer in 1966 after they met in college. They share one son, writer and director Christian Gudegast, and three grandchildren.
“I adore them,” Braeden told PEOPLE of his family in 2020. “Nothing makes me more happy than seeing them.”
Braeden, born Hans-Jörg Gudegast, has starred on the soap as Victor Newman for the majority of his marriage, having joined the cast in 1980. Through it all, the Emmy Award winnerhas remained gratefulfor the support of his wife and family.
“I’m deeply grateful to having worked with such great colleagues over the years and having had such great support from my family, from my wife,” he told PEOPLE. “You know, I consider myself very fortunate.”
So, who is Eric Braeden’s wife? Here’s everything to know about Dale Russell Gudegast and her relationship with the soap opera star.
She and Braeden met in college
Christian Gudegast, Dale Gudegast and Eric Braeden at the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 2007.Barry King/WireImage
Barry King/WireImage
While studying economics and philosophy at Santa Monica College, Braeden met his future wife, who was enrolled as an art major.
“She went to a Catholic school,” hetoldThe Montanan, adding that she “was well-educated, very steeped in European literature … so there was an affinity.”
Since their college sweetheart days, Gudegast has worked as a pillow designer and interior designer but tends to keep her life and career out of the spotlight.
They welcomed their son Christian in 1970
Christian Gudegast, Gale Gudegast and Eric Braeden.Mark Sullivan/WireImage
Mark Sullivan/WireImage
Braeden and Gudegast’s son, Christian, was born in February 1970.
Christian is a screenwriter and filmmaker. His writing credits includeA Man Apart(2003),London Has Fallen(2016) andDen of Thieves(2018), which he also produced and directed. According toDeadline, Gudegast wrote and directed the upcoming sequel,Den of Thieves 2: Pantera.
“My son is arguably the greatest gift of my life and always has been," Braeden told PEOPLE in 2021. “We talk to each other almost every night.”
The actor also said of his wife, “My wife is beautiful. She’s a forgiving, understanding woman and a wonderful mother to our son Christian.”
In 2009, Christian married his wife Natasha, a jewelry designer.
She has three granddaughters
Eric Braeden with his son Christian Gudegast and granddaughter at the 40th Anniversary Of CBS' “Young And The Restless” on February 07, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.Ella Hovsepian/Getty
Ella Hovsepian/Getty
Braeden and Gudegast are the proud grandparents of their son Christian’s three daughters.
Christian has one daughter, Tatiana, from a previous relationship and shares daughters Oksana and Angelika with his wife Natasha. Braeden frequently shares photos and updates about Tatiana on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), keeping his younger two granddaughters more private.
The soap star told PEOPLE in 2021, “There’s nothing like being a grandpa to my three granddaughters: Tatiana, Oksana and Angelika. Anything they want, boom.”
He added, “My family is the world to me, because in the end, who else do you have?”
Braeden consults with her before making decisions
Eric Braeden, his wife Dale and their son Christian celebrate Braeden’s 25th anniversary playing legendary character Victor Newman on “The Young and The Restless” in 2005.Amanda Edwards/Getty
Amanda Edwards/Getty
Despite Braeden’s high-profile career, Gudegast has stayed largely out of the spotlight, aside from a few rare appearances. She celebrated Braeden’s 25th anniversary onThe Young and the Restlessin 2005, supported her husband when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007 and attended a book signing with the actor in 2017.
Behind the scenes, Gudegast has always been a trusted influence on her husband.
“Because Dale is so private, people don’t realize how much she influences what I do or don’t do,” Braeden wrote inhis website bio. “I make many decisions only after consulting her. She has been a supportive and calming influence in my life.”
As for how Gudegast would describe her husband, she told PEOPLE in 1997 that he is as “endearing as no one else can be.”
She’s supportive of her husband
Eric Braeden and Dale Gudegast at the “I’ll Be Damned” Book Signing at Barnes & Noble at The Grove on February 13, 2017 in Los Angeles, CA.Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock
“My wife has been supportive of me since we first knew each other, long before I became well known,” BraedentoldComing of Agemagazinein 2011. “I have an enormous sense of deep loyalty to her and we’ve been very supportive of each other. She’s been especially supportive of me and given me a wonderful family.”
In addition to her support of him, Braeden also revealed their secrets to a healthy and happy relationship. “I would say that the most important thing is that you not only love the person, but that you really like the person.”
He added, “That means that you like who they are, that you like being with them. You like having conversations with them. You obviously share the most extraordinary things in life with them.”
source: people.com
