When people search for robert herjavec first wife, they are usually looking beyond the fame of a television billionaire to understand the woman who shared decades of life with him before global recognition, immense wealth, and public scrutiny entered the picture. Robert Herjavec’s first wife, Diane Plese, lived largely outside the spotlight, yet her story remains deeply intertwined with Herjavec’s rise, his family life, and one of the most talked-about high-net-worth divorces in Canada.
This article offers a detailed, human-written, and informative look at robert herjavec first wife, covering her background, marriage, family life, divorce, and what is known about where she is today.
Who Is Robert Herjavec’s First Wife?
The focus of searches around robert herjavec first wife leads to Diane Plese, a Canadian optometrist who spent most of her adult life dedicated to her medical career and raising a family. Unlike many spouses of wealthy entrepreneurs, she never sought fame, media attention, or business branding tied to her husband’s success.
Professionally, Diane built her own identity as a doctor of optometry. She practiced quietly and consistently, maintaining independence throughout her marriage. While Robert Herjavec became increasingly visible through business ventures and later television, his first wife remained intentionally private, a choice that would define her public image even after the marriage ended.
Early Life and Education
Although Diane Plese has never shared extensive autobiographical details publicly, reports describe her as having been born and raised in Toronto, Canada. Her family background includes strong immigrant roots, with parents who valued education and professional stability. This upbringing played a major role in shaping her career path and reserved personality.
She pursued higher education with a focus on healthcare, eventually becoming a licensed optometrist. Long before she was known as robert herjavec first wife, she had already committed to a demanding profession that requires years of study, precision, and ongoing certification. Her medical background later became relevant during the divorce proceedings, as courts examined her earning capacity compared to her former husband’s vast business income.
How Robert Herjavec Met His First Wife
The relationship between Robert Herjavec and his first wife began long before wealth and television fame entered the picture. The two met as young adults while building their respective careers. At the time, Robert Herjavec was still navigating the early stages of entrepreneurship, experiencing both ambition and uncertainty.
Their relationship developed in a relatively ordinary setting, grounded in shared values around family, hard work, and long-term commitment. This foundation led to marriage in 1990, a period when Herjavec’s future success was far from guaranteed. For many who research robert herjavec first wife, this early phase highlights how deeply their lives were intertwined before fortune transformed their circumstances.
Marriage to Robert Herjavec
Robert Herjavec and Diane Plese married in 1990 and remained together for approximately 25 years. During the early years of marriage, they lived far from the glamorous lifestyle often associated with Herjavec today. Instead, they experienced the pressures common to many young families: building careers, managing finances, and raising children.
As Herjavec’s businesses expanded and his income increased dramatically, the marriage entered a new phase. Wealth brought opportunity but also complexity. Long hours, business travel, and public exposure placed strain on the relationship. Throughout this time, Diane continued her optometry career and focused heavily on family responsibilities, often staying outside public attention.
Children From the Marriage
A central part of the story of robert herjavec first wife is motherhood. Robert Herjavec and Diane Plese share three children: one son and two daughters. Their children were raised primarily in Canada, with an emphasis on education, stability, and privacy.
Despite their father’s increasing celebrity status, the children were largely shielded from public exposure. Diane played a key role in maintaining a sense of normalcy for them, prioritizing school life and emotional stability. Even during the divorce, both parents expressed concern for minimizing the impact on their children, although the legal and financial aspects inevitably attracted attention.
Life Behind the Scenes During Robert Herjavec’s Rise
One of the lesser-discussed aspects of robert herjavec first wife is what it meant to support a spouse during an intense period of business expansion. While Robert Herjavec built technology companies and navigated high-stakes financial environments, Diane balanced professional work with managing family life.
She was not publicly involved in his companies, nor did she appear as a business partner. Instead, her role was largely behind the scenes. This dynamic later became a significant point in the divorce, as courts evaluated contributions that were not strictly financial but deeply personal and long-term.
Separation and Divorce
The separation between Robert Herjavec and his first wife became public in 2014, though the emotional and practical realities had likely developed over time. After more than two decades of marriage, the relationship officially ended, marking a major life shift for both parties.
The divorce was finalized in 2016 and quickly became one of the most widely discussed family-law cases in Canada due to the scale of assets involved. For those researching robert herjavec first wife, the divorce represents a turning point that brought Diane into headlines despite her lifelong preference for privacy.
Divorce Settlement and Financial Details
The financial aspects of the divorce between Robert Herjavec and his first wife drew widespread media coverage. Courts considered the length of the marriage, the standard of living established during the relationship, and the disparity in income between the two spouses.
Diane was awarded substantial spousal support, reported as a monthly amount designed to reflect the lifestyle built during the marriage. Child support arrangements were also established based on the needs of the children at the time. In addition, a significant property equalization payment was ordered, bringing the total settlement into the tens of millions of dollars.
This case became frequently cited in discussions of Canadian family law, especially regarding long marriages and non-business spouses, further increasing searches for robert herjavec first wife.
Legal Impact and Public Discussion
Beyond personal implications, the divorce had broader significance. Legal experts often reference the Herjavec case when discussing spousal support obligations in high-net-worth divorces. The outcome reinforced the principle that long-term marriages involve shared contributions, even when one spouse earns substantially more.
Public reaction was mixed, with some focusing on the numbers while others emphasized the length of the marriage and the role Diane played in family life. Regardless of opinion, the case ensured that robert herjavec first wife remained a topic of public interest.
Life After Divorce
Following the divorce, Diane largely retreated from public view. She did not pursue media interviews, reality television, or public commentary about her former marriage. Instead, she reportedly focused on personal well-being, family relationships, and maintaining privacy.
Financial independence after the settlement allowed her to live comfortably without relying on public exposure. Her approach stands in contrast to many high-profile divorces, reinforcing her long-standing preference for discretion.
Comparison With Robert Herjavec’s Second Marriage
Interest in robert herjavec first wife increased again after Herjavec remarried and began appearing more frequently in lifestyle media. His second marriage has been far more public, highlighting the stark difference between the two relationships.
Where the first marriage was private, long-term, and grounded in early career struggles, the second unfolded under the glare of fame and wealth. This contrast often leads readers back to questions about Diane Plese and her role in Herjavec’s earlier life.
Where Is Robert Herjavec’s First Wife Now?
As of today, Diane Plese continues to live a private life. There are no verified reports of remarriage, public ventures, or media projects. She is believed to remain in Canada, maintaining personal independence and close relationships with her children.
For many, the enduring fascination with robert herjavec first wife lies not in scandal, but in the quiet strength of a woman who experienced immense change without seeking the spotlight.
Frequently Asked Questions About Robert Herjavec’s First Wife
Was Diane Plese involved in Robert Herjavec’s businesses?
Diane Plese was not publicly involved in Robert Herjavec’s companies and did not hold an executive or operational role in his business ventures. Her contributions were primarily centered on family life and maintaining her own professional career as an optometrist.
How long were Robert Herjavec and his first wife married?
Robert Herjavec and Diane Plese were married for approximately 25 years. They married in 1990 and separated in 2014, with their divorce finalized in 2016.
Did the divorce affect Robert Herjavec’s career?
While the divorce was highly publicized due to its financial scale, Robert Herjavec’s business career and television presence continued to grow afterward. However, he has publicly acknowledged that the divorce was emotionally difficult.
Is Robert Herjavec’s first wife remarried?
There are no verified public records or credible reports confirming that Diane Plese has remarried. She has maintained a private lifestyle since the divorce.
Why Interest in Robert Herjavec’s First Wife Remains High
Search interest in robert herjavec first wife continues because her story touches on universal themes: partnership, sacrifice, success, and reinvention. She represents the unseen side of entrepreneurial success, reminding readers that wealth often arrives after years of shared effort.
Final Thoughts
The story of robert herjavec first wife is not just about marriage or divorce. It is about a long-term partnership that spanned ambition, family, wealth, and transformation. Diane Plese’s decision to remain private, even when public curiosity peaked, defines her legacy as much as her role in Robert Herjavec’s life.
Her story remains a compelling example of dignity, independence, and resilience in the face of extraordinary change.
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