Where is Teresa Earnhardt now? A look at her life since Dale’s death
Teresa Earnhardt is best known as the third wife of the late Dale Earnhardt Sr., one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. After his passing in 2001, she left the public eye, yet continues to uphold her husband's legacy. Her stepson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., once said:
She’s done a really good job protecting dad’s legacy and taking care of that over the years.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Profile summary
- Teresa Earnhardt grew up around sportsmen
- Teresa and Dale Earnhardt Sr. met at a race in the late 1970s
- Teresa inherited Dale Earnhardt's estate
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. does not have a relationship with Teresa
- Dale Earnhardt's wife lost key sponsors
- What is Dale Earnhardt's wife doing now?
- Frequently asked questions
- Conclusion
Key takeaways
- Teresa and Dale Earnhardt Sr. were married on 14 November 1982.
- Earnhardt formerly owned a NASCAR team.
- Dale Earnhardt Sr. died from a basilar skull fracture at the Daytona 500 on 18 February 2001.
Profile summary
| Full name | Teresa Diane Houston |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | 29 October 1958 |
| Age | 66 years old (as of July 2025) |
| Place of birth | Hickory, North Carolina, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Father | Hal Houston |
| Marital status | Widow |
| Late husband | Dale Earnhardt Sr. |
| Children | 1 |
| School | Bunker Hill High School |
| Net worth | $50 million |
Teresa Earnhardt grew up around sportsmen
Earnhardt was born on 29 October 1958 in Hickory, North Carolina. Her father is Hal Houston, and she is the niece of Tommy Houston, a legendary Busch Series driver. Her cousin, Andy Houston, raced in all three of NASCAR’s top series.
In an interview with NBC News in February 2023, she was asked if she was excluded from her late husband's racing career. She replied:
No. I grew up around it, so you know, it's second nature to me. And it's just like other sports. I mean, bull riding and motorcycle, you know, racing, boxing.
Source: Original
Teresa and Dale Earnhardt Sr. met at a race in the late 1970s
Dale and Teresa married on 14 November 1982 after meeting at a race in the late 1970s. They lived on a 300-acre farm in North Carolina, and this was Dale's third marriage.
Earnhardt Sr. was an American professional NASCAR driver who raced from 1975 to 2001. He won 76 Winston Cup races in his 26-year career.
She co-founded Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) with her late husband
As revealed on the company's website, Teresa and her late husband co-founded Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) in 1980. It was one of the most successful enterprises in NASCAR racing.
She led the company to multiple championships, including two Busch Series titles (1998-1999) and two Craftsman Truck Series titles (1996, 1998). She also led DEI to a Daytona 500 victory in 2001, though her husband's passing overshadowed it.
Dale and Teresa Earnhardt had a daughter
They had a daughter named Taylor Nicole Earnhardt, born in 1988. Dale had three children from earlier marriages. He married Latane Brown from 1968 to 1970, with whom he had Kerry Earnhardt in 1969.
He married Brenda Gee from 1971 to 1979, and had Kelley Earnhardt in 1972 and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 1974.
Source: Getty Images
Teresa inherited Dale Earnhardt's estate
Dale's third wife, Teresa, inherited his estate, which included his racing team, DEI properties, a yacht, vehicles, and approximately $200,000 in cash.
She managed and retained many of these assets, including selling a 5,268 sq. ft. luxury Florida home for $4 million in 2021.
Teresa Earnhardt owns 400 acres of land
Dale's wife, Teresa, owns 400 acres of land in Mooresville, North Carolina, which she plans to turn into a tech campus called Mooresville Technology Park, as revealed by The Charlotte Observer. Completion is set for 2029.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. does not have a relationship with Teresa
Earnhardt Jr.'s relationship with his stepmother is strained, particularly after his father died in 2001. After inheriting Dale Sr.’s estate, including DEI, tensions arose over business decisions.
As the Washington Post shared, she also denied them access to their father’s mausoleum. The feud escalated in 2006, prompting Dale Jr. to leave DEI in 2007 to drive for Hendrick Motorsports.
Source: Getty Images
Dale Earnhardt's wife lost key sponsors
Teresa merged DEI with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2008, forming Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, but lost key sponsors after Dale Jr.'s exit. The partnership ended in 2014, with Ganassi absorbing Teresa’s stake and renaming the team.
Teresa sued her stepson, Kerry Earnhardt, in 2016 over his business venture, The Earnhardt Collection, but Kerry ultimately prevailed, as ‘Earnhardt’ is a surname not eligible for trademark protection.
Because of the family feud, Teresa and her daughter Taylor did not appear in the Amazon Prime Video docuseries titled Earnhardt, which debuted in May 2025.
Teresa Earnhardt gave up the number 8
She gave up rights to the No. 8 trademark in June 2024, allowing Dale Jr. to reclaim it. The trademark was previously held by Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI), which Teresa owned.
What is Dale Earnhardt's wife doing now?
Dale Earnhardt's wife continues to manage his legacy through the Dale Earnhardt Foundation and Earnhardt Ventures.
She has also been involved in real estate development and oversees Dale Earnhardt Inc. DEI, which is now a brand and licensing entity. Rocket Reach reported that the company had an annual revenue of $29.2 million as of 2024.
Source: Getty Images
Teresa Earnhardt is unmarried
Since her husband passed away, Teresa Earnhardt has not remarried. Despite rumours that she married John Menard, this information has not been confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
- How much was Dale Earnhardt worth when he died? He was worth $70 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
- How long was Teresa Earnhardt married to Dale? They were married for 18 years.
- Did Teresa Earnhardt remarry? She did not remarry.
- Where does Teresa Earnhardt live today? She reportedly lives in Florida.
Conclusion
NASCAR fans know the name Teresa Earnhardt well. She guided DEI to success post-2001, proving she could helm a top team even amid personal loss.
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Source: Briefly News
