Kenneth Weate got into the spotlight following his short-lived marriage to actress and singer Helen Reddy. He was the first of her three husbands, whom she married in 1961, and they were a couple for five years before they went their separate ways. Helen is widely recognized for her singles, which include One Way Ticket, I Don’t Know How To Love Him, and I Believe in Music. During her time as a singer and entertainer, Helen’s releases made it to the top charts globally.
Did the couple have any children? And what was the cause of their divorce? This article will cover more details of Kenneth Weate’s life.
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Kenneth Weate Bio
Kenneth Weate was born in North Fitzroy, Victoria, in 1928. He was the son of Claude Gifford Weate and Eunice Gladys Jessie Wheeler, who were in their 20s when they bore him.
Professionally, Kenneth was a musician but being a private person, little was known about his career. He kept a low profile, and there was not much to gather about his personal life either.
Kenneth Weate’s Relationship with Helen Reddy
Kenneth met Helen in 1960 when she was barely 19 years old. He was a family friend and a couple of years older than her. By then, Helen worked in cubs and restaurants, singing and performing in Australia. Kenneth was also a singer and musician and his main source of livelihood.
The couple dated for a year before they got married. According to Helen, she decided to marry Kenneth to defy her parents since they wanted her to join their show business. Helen, who didn’t share the same interest as her parents, got married to escape that life.
Unfortunately, the marriage did not last long, probably because of Helen’s initial intent. They had a daughter named Traci Donat in 1963. Two years later, Kenneth and Helen went their separate ways. Helen took full custody of their daughter and moved to Los Angeles. Kenneth went on living a quiet life as a musician. He died on 11 April 1970 in Melbourne City, Victoria, Australia, aged 42.
Kenneth Weate’s Daughter
Traci Wald Donat was born on 19 January 1963 to Kenneth Weate and Helen Reddy. She grew up alongside her younger brother Jordan Sommers. Traci is a television director renowned for her role in the 1989 short film A Nightmare on Drug Street. She also has her own business called Simplestonics, which sells herbal products. Traci has been married to Lucas Donat since 1984, and they have a daughter named Lily.
Kenneth Weate’s Ex-Wife
Helen Reddy was born on 25 October 1941 and was a multi-talented singer, actress, television host, and activist. She began her career as an entertainer aged four, singing on radio and television. In the 1970s, Helen achieved international success, with 15 singles reaching the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. Three songs were number one, including her signature hit I Am Woman, which was the height of the women’s liberation movement.
Over the years, Helen released 16 studio albums. She also appeared in several films and television shows. Helen died on 29 September 2020, aged 78, at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Calabasas, CA. She had dementia and Addison’s disease.
Wrapping Up
Although Kenneth Weate led a quiet life, his ex-wife’s global success shone a spotlight on him even posthumously.
