If you’ve ever scrolled through social media or flipped past a rerun of Dog the Bounty Hunter, you know the face. The flowing blonde mane, the wraparound shades, and that unmistakable gravelly voice. But for years, the question following the world’s most famous fugitive recovery agent hasn't been about who he’s catching. It’s about who he’s coming home to.
So, let's get right to it. Is Dog the Bounty Hunter married? Yes, as of January 2026, Duane "Dog" Chapman is very much a married man. He is currently wed to Francie Frane (now Francie Chapman), a former rancher from Colorado.
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They’ve been together for a while now. They tied the knot back in September 2021. For a man whose life has been lived in the glare of camera lights and under the shadow of heavy grief, this relationship has been a bit of a reset. Honestly, it’s a story that starts with a wrong number and ends with a wedding in the Colorado mountains.
The Unlikely Way Dog Met Francie
Life has a weird way of working out. Back in early 2020, Dog wasn't looking for a wife. He was just looking for a guy named Bob.
Dog needed some excavating work done on his property in Colorado. He called up Bob Frane, a local contractor he'd used before. He didn't know Bob had passed away from cancer. When he left a voicemail, it was Bob’s widow, Francie, who called him back to give him the news.
The conversation didn't just end with business.
They stayed on the phone. They talked about grief. You see, Dog was still reeling from the loss of his iconic wife, Beth Chapman, who died in June 2019. Francie was in the same boat. Her husband Bob had passed just months before Beth. They bonded over the specific, heavy kind of pain that comes with losing a long-term partner to a terminal illness.
Dog told The US Sun that their meeting felt like a "miracle." He even joked that his first date with Francie wasn't at a fancy restaurant or a red-carpet event. It was at a church service. She told him she’d only go out with him if he went to church with her. He went. They held hands during the service. Basically, the rest is history.
A Timeline of the Chapman-Frane Romance
- March 2020: The public finds out Dog and Francie are dating.
- May 2020: Dog pops the question in a candlelit room at their home in Colorado.
- September 2, 2021: They officially marry in Colorado Springs at an estate called The Pinery At The Hill.
- 2023: The couple moves their home base to Marco Island, Florida, before eventually spending more time in Georgia.
- 2025-2026: They continue to run their ministry, Light Up the Darkness, together.
Why People Still Ask About Beth
It’s impossible to talk about Duane Chapman’s marriage without mentioning Beth. For millions of fans, Dog and Beth were the ultimate duo. They were partners in crime—well, partners in catching those who committed crimes. When Beth passed away at 51, it felt like the end of an era.
Dog actually swore he’d never get married again. He told PEOPLE in 2019 that while he might date, he promised Beth he’d never take her name off his chest (where he has it tattooed) and he’d never say "I do" to someone else.
Obviously, he changed his mind.
He’s been pretty open about that struggle. He’s mentioned in interviews that he felt guilty at first. But he eventually came to the conclusion that God didn't want him to be alone. He often says that he feels Beth would approve of Francie because of her "morality" and the way she was raised. It’s a complicated way to live, keeping a foot in the past while moving into the future, but they seem to make it work. They both still talk about their late spouses openly. There’s no "replacement" happening here; it’s more like a second chapter.
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The Drama That Almost Derailed the Wedding
If you think a reality TV star’s wedding would happen without a hitch, you don’t know the Chapmans. The 2021 wedding was clouded by a massive family rift.
Two of Dog’s daughters, Bonnie and Cecily, were notably absent from the guest list. Why? It depends on who you ask. Bonnie claimed she wasn't invited because of her involvement with Black Lives Matter and her work with a TV network Dog had a falling out with. Dog and Francie denied this, citing "family drama" and a need for a peaceful day.
It was messy. Bonnie went to social media with some pretty heavy allegations against her father. Despite the noise, the wedding went on. Francie told Entertainment Tonight at the time that they had been through "hell" and she wasn't going to let the "nonsense" ruin their day.
Family dynamics in the Chapman house have always been... intense. With 13 children across various relationships, the holidays are probably a logistical nightmare.
Life as Mr. and Mrs. Chapman Today
So, what is the couple doing now? They aren't just sitting around.
They’ve pivoted away from the 24/7 bounty hunting life that made them famous. These days, they focus heavily on their faith-based work. They run the D.O.G. Foundation and are very active in their ministry, Light Up the Darkness.
- Residence: They’ve moved around a bit, spending time in Colorado and Florida, but they’ve recently been building a community in Georgia.
- Hobbies: Francie isn't just a "wife." She’s a former rancher who knows her way around heavy machinery. Dog has even joked about her being a "natural" at bounty hunting when she occasionally joins him on a lead.
- Media: You’ll still see Dog on TV—like his stint on The Masked Singer—but the vibe is much more focused on public speaking and faith conferences.
They’ve also faced recent tragedies. In the summer of 2025, the family dealt with the heartbreaking loss of Francie’s grandson, Anthony, in a tragic accident. It’s another layer of grief for a couple that seems to have had more than their fair share.
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Is Dog the Bounty Hunter Married? A Look at the Past
To understand why this sixth marriage is such a big deal, you have to look at the track record. Duane Chapman has walked down the aisle a lot.
- La Fonda Sue Honeycutt (1972–1977): Married while he was very young. They divorced while he was serving time in prison.
- Anne M. Tegnell (1979–1982): A brief marriage shortly after his release.
- Lyssa Rae Brittain (1982–1991): They had three children together, including "Baby" Lyssa, who was a staple on the show.
- Tawney Marie (1992–2002): Dog has described this marriage as a "disaster" in his autobiography.
- Beth Smith (2006–2019): The most famous of his wives and his true partner in the bounty hunting business.
- Francie Frane (2021–Present): His current wife and, according to him, his "final Mrs. Chapman."
It’s been a long road to get to this point. Most people who ask "is dog the bounty hunter married" are usually looking for reassurance that he’s found some peace after the very public tragedy of Beth’s death.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the latest on Duane and Francie, here’s how to stay in the loop without falling for tabloid rumors:
- Check Official Sources: Dog is very active on Instagram and his official website,
dogthebountyhunter.com. That’s where he posts about his ministry and family updates. - Look for the Ministry: If you want to see what they’re actually doing day-to-day, look up Light Up the Darkness. They do a lot of speaking engagements at churches.
- Verify the "Divorce" Rumors: Every few months, a clickbait headline claims they are splitting up. Ignore them. As of January 2026, there is no evidence of a legal separation or divorce.
- Support the Foundation: The D.O.G. Foundation is their primary charitable outlet now, focusing on helping people through trauma and grief.
Duane Chapman’s life has never been quiet. Whether he’s chasing skips in Hawaii or preaching in Georgia, he does everything at 100 miles per hour. While many fans will always see Beth as his "soulmate," Francie has clearly stepped into a role that has provided him with the stability he needed for this stage of his life.