Drew Ann Reid Biography Table
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Kathryn Burrhus |
| Date of Birth | August 29, 1952 |
| Birthplace | Austin, Texas, USA |
| Education | Edna High School, Texas |
| Known For | First wife of WWE legend “Stone Cold” Steve Austin |
| Marriage to Steve Austin | November 24, 1990 |
| Divorce/Annulment Date | August 7, 1992 |
| Children | None |
| Current Status | Living a private life away from the spotlight |
Who Is Kathryn Burrhus?
Kathryn Burrhus is a Texas-born woman who became known primarily because of her marriage to professional wrestling icon “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. She was born on August 29, 1952, in Austin, Texas, and grew up in the central part of the state. Unlike many people connected to celebrities, Kathryn has always chosen a quiet life away from the spotlight, avoiding interviews and public appearances.
She is often described as thoughtful, reserved, and fiercely independent. Even when her personal life briefly intersected with one of the world’s most famous wrestlers, she never sought to make herself a public figure. Instead, she has lived a life of complete privacy, staying far removed from the chaos of fame.
Early Life & Background
Kathryn grew up in central Texas, where she enjoyed a modest and quiet upbringing. She attended school in Edna, Texas, and was known among her peers as a kind and conscientious student. Teachers and classmates remembered her as someone who cared about her studies but also valued friendships and loyalty.
Her early life gave her a strong foundation that helped her remain grounded even when her life briefly touched the world of wrestling stardom. She valued stability and simplicity from a young age. These values would later play a significant role in her relationship with Austin.
Kathryn Burrhus: Steve Austin’s First Wife
Kathryn Burrhus is famous as the ex-wife of America-born retired professional wrestler, television presenter, and actor Steve Austin, better known by his ring name, Stone Cold Steve Austin. She holds the distinction of being Austin’s first girlfriend and first wife. Their relationship began long before Austin became a household name in the WWE.
Austin himself has spoken about Kathryn in his memoir and public interviews. In his 2001 memoir, The Stone Cold Truth, he described meeting her when he was a freshman at Edna High School and she was a junior. He admitted he was smitten but didn’t believe he had a chance because he was two years younger.
High School Sweethearts: Their Early Relationship
It was during her school years in Edna, Texas, that Kathryn met Steve Williams, who would later change his name to Steve Austin. Their connection began like many high school romances, built on shared experiences, youthful energy, and small-town charm. Over time, their relationship grew stronger, and they became inseparable.
Austin devised a clever plan to get to know Kathryn better. He knew she played tennis, and the tennis coach, who he knew from playing sports, invited him and his friend to come out and play tennis. Just by being around the tennis courts, Austin got a chance to meet Kathy.
Austin and Burrhus began dating that year. He later attended Wharton Junior College in Texas where he played football, while she got her degree at Southwest Texas University. Austin received a full football scholarship to North Texas upon Burrhus’ graduation, and the two moved in together.
Kathryn Burrhus and Steve Austin’s Marriage
On November 24, 1990, Kathryn Burrhus married Steve Austin. At the time, Austin was just beginning to make strides in his wrestling career. Their wedding marked the start of a new chapter filled with hope and excitement.
Like many newlyweds, they imagined building a life together. However, the reality of Austin’s career soon made things more complicated. The wrestling world demanded long hours, constant travel, and a lifestyle that put immense pressure on their young marriage.
According to Austin, the pair had a good relationship for about 10 years total, counting their dating years. But then he got what he called the “wrestling bug,” and Kathy was not a wrestling fan. Austin himself admitted that this difference was “the beginning of the end for us”.
Why Did Kathryn Burrhus and Steve Austin Divorce?
Unfortunately, Kathryn and Steve’s marriage did not last long. After less than two years together, their marriage was annulled on August 7, 1992. The couple did not have any children together.
The primary reason for their split was Austin’s growing commitment to professional wrestling.
Kathryn, who valued stability and privacy, found herself caught in the fast-moving current of Austin’s career. The constant travel, long hours, and the wrestling lifestyle created a rift that they could not overcome. Their separation was largely quiet and out of the public eye.
When Larry King asked Austin about Kathryn on his show, Austin was notably reserved. He confirmed they were married and divorced but didn’t want to say further and quickly asked for the next question. This reluctance to discuss her publicly reflects the private nature of their relationship and its end.
Kathryn Burrhus’ Relationship with the Media
Kathryn Burrhus has maintained a remarkably low profile throughout her life. She has never given interviews, appeared on red carpets, or engaged with social media. Her life paints the picture of a private, modest, and independent woman.
Following her annulment from Austin, Burrhus gracefully stepped back into complete anonymity. It is not known if she ever remarried. Her current status remains that of a person living a quiet, private life away from fame.
She is the complete opposite of the celebrity-adjacent figures who often seek the spotlight.
Life After Divorce
Did Kathryn Burrhus Have Children?
No, Kathryn Burrhus does not have any children.
Despite dating for many years and being married for nearly two years, Kathryn and Steve Austin never had children together. Following their annulment, Burrhus maintained a private lifestyle out of the spotlight.
It remains unknown if she has children from any subsequent relationships, as she has kept every aspect of her personal life completely private. Austin, however, went on to become a father of three daughters from his later marriages.
What Happened to Kathryn Burrhus After the Divorce?
After her marriage to Steve Austin ended, Kathryn Burrhus disappeared from public view. She chose to live a life of complete privacy, avoiding any connection to the wrestling world or celebrity culture. Her life after divorce is largely a mystery, as she has successfully kept herself out of the media.
She is one of the few people connected to a major celebrity who has completely avoided the public eye.
It is not known if she remarried, where she lives, or what she does for a living. What is clear is that she has no interest in fame or attention. She shaped Austin’s early years and then gracefully stepped back into anonymity.
Interesting Facts About Kathryn Burrhus
She was Steve Austin’s high school sweetheart and first love. Austin met Kathryn when he was a freshman at Edna High School and she was a junior. He was immediately smitten but thought he had no chance because he was two years younger.
Austin planned a clever way to meet her. He knew she played tennis, so he befriended the tennis coach, who invited him and a friend to play tennis. By spending time around the tennis courts, Austin finally got a chance to meet Kathy.
He called her “super smart” and fell in love instantly. In his memoir, The Stone Cold Truth, Austin wrote: “She was just a super smart person. I immediately fell in love with her” . He was a shy person back then, and his first kiss was with Kathy when he was seventeen.
Their relationship lasted 10 years total. According to Austin, the pair had a good relationship for about a decade, counting their dating years and marriage combined. He later admitted that getting “the wrestling bug” was the beginning of the end for them.
She was not a wrestling fan. This simple difference became the primary reason their marriage fell apart. Austin himself said: “Kathy was not a wrestling fan. That was the beginning of the end for us”.
She shaped Austin’s early adult life. She earned her degree at Southwest Texas University while Austin attended Wharton Junior College. He received a full football scholarship to North Texas upon her graduation, and the two moved in together.
Her marriage to Steve Austin lasted less than two years. They were married on November 24, 1990, and their marriage was annulled on August 7, 1992 .
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Steve Austin’s wife?
Steve Austin has been married four times. His first wife, Kathryn Burrhus, divorced him in 1992 after less than two years of marriage due to the pressures of his wrestling career. His second wife, Lady Blossom (Jeannie Clark), divorced him in 1999. His third wife, Debra Marshall, divorced him in 2003 after a highly publicized and controversial relationship. He has been married to his fourth wife, Kristin Feres, since 2009.
How many wives did Stone Cold Steve Austin have?
Stone Cold Steve Austin has been married four times.
His wives are Kathryn Burrhus (1990–1992), Lady Blossom/Jeannie Clark (1992–1999), Debra Marshall (2000–2003), and Kristin Feres (2009–present). Each marriage has been a significant chapter in his life, with his first marriage to Kathryn being the one that predated his wrestling fame.
Did Stone Cold have kids?
Yes, Stone Cold Steve Austin has three daughters. He has two daughters, Stephanie (born in 1991) and Cassidy (born in 1996), with his second wife, Jeannie Clark. He also adopted Jade Adams, Clark’s daughter from a previous relationship with Chris Adams.
Who is Steve Austin’s current wife?
Steve Austin’s current wife is Kristin Feres, also known as Kristin Austin. They tied the knot in 2009 and have been married for over a decade. She has been a significant part of his life during his post-retirement period.
Is Stone Cold a nice guy in real life?
Those who know Steve Austin personally often describe him as a down-to-earth and approachable person. He has spoken openly about his past mistakes and has shown remorse for some of his actions. However, like any public figure, opinions vary based on personal experiences and perspectives.
Does Stone Cold Steve Austin have grandchildren?
As of now, there is no public information confirming that Stone Cold Steve Austin has grandchildren. His daughters are adults, but none have publicly announced having children. Given his private nature regarding his family, it is possible he has grandchildren that are not discussed publicly.
Final Thoughts
Kathryn Burrhus remains one of the most private figures connected to a major celebrity. Her story is a reminder that not everyone associated with fame seeks it for themselves. She was there at the very beginning of Steve Austin’s journey, long before he became “Stone Cold”.
Her decision to step away from the spotlight and live a quiet life is a testament to her character. She valued stability and privacy over the chaos of fame. In a world where many chase attention, Kathryn Burrhus chose the opposite path.
While her marriage to Austin was brief, her impact on his early life was significant. She was his high school sweetheart, his first love, and his first wife. Kathryn Burrhus may not be a household name, but she played a quiet role in the story of one of wrestling’s biggest legends.
Her life serves as a powerful example that sometimes the most interesting stories are the ones that remain untold. She shaped Austin’s early years and then gracefully stepped back into anonymity. And in doing so, she has maintained a dignity and privacy that is increasingly rare in today’s world.
