Tanya Thicke was more than just Alan Thicke’s wife, and to many of the actor’s fans, she was a sort of biographer, sharing photos that chronicled their marriage and their love throughout the years.
In the wake of Thicke’s shocking death on Tuesday, many of his fans have sought out pictures of the actor’s wife and some background about her. Also known by her maiden name, Tanya Callau, the Bolivian actress had her own place in Hollywood and was best known for her role in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.
But Tanya Thicke was best known in Hollywood and to fans across North America as Alan Thicke’s loving wife; one who often shared photos of the couple together. Her Instagram page looks like something of an extended love letter, showing off pictures from early in their relationship right up until two days before Alan’s death when she shared a picture of him acting as designated driver after a party they had attended.
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Tanya Thicke shared many other photos of the couple in the early stages of their relationship, including a throwback shot she posted earlier in the year showing the couple reclining on a couch together.
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Tanya Thicke shared another loving photo on Father’s Day, including with it a heartfelt note to Alan.
“Happy Fathers Day!!! To this dad that never stops working. Grateful for your boys, your love & never endless work ethic! First class dad,” she wrote.
Many other shots showed the two on the red carpet together, but other pictures gave a glimpse into their private lives. In many photos posted by Tanya Thicke, the couple was eating out and going on vacations with their families and friends.
After years of dating, Alan and Tanya Thicke were married in April of 2005, wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. At the time, the twice-divorced actor quipped that he was quite familiar with everything that goes with a wedding.
“I’ll be on my third honeymoon, so I’m more of an authority than I care to be,” he said in a statement at the time of the wedding (via People magazine).
Alan Thicke had previously been married to actress and singer Gloria Loring from 1970 until 1983, and the couple shared two children together. He then married television reporter and former Miss World Gina Tolleson in 1994, though they split five years later after having one child together.
Alan and Tanya Thicke were open with sharing many parts of their relationship. Starting in 2014, they appeared together in the mockumentary Unusually Thicke , which showed a fictionalized portrayal of their family life. The show featured Alan and Tanya along with Alan’s son, Carter, who was with his father at an ice rink in Burbank when he suffered his fatal heart attack on Tuesday.
The Canadian show earned some acclaim, including a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Reality/Competition Program or Series at the 3rd Canadian Screen Awards, The Hollywood Reporter noted.
Alan Thicke also loved opening up about his wife, including a 2014 interview with People magazine in which he talked about her personality.
“My wife who is a wonderful yin and yang personality — hot and cold — I call her the sexy, lovable tornado is completely fascination and out of control and very sexy,” Alan said.
Many fans seemed grateful that Tanya Thicke shared so many photos together with Alan Thicke, and in the hours after the actor’s death, many flocked to her Instagram page to leave messages of condolence and offer support to the grieving family.
[Featured Image by Rich Fury/Invision/AP Images]
