Alma Gonzales: Where Is Richard Thomas’s Ex-Wife Today?

Have you ever wondered what happened to The Waltons star Richard Thomas’s first wife, Alma Gonzales?

They had a beautiful love story, raised four kids together, and were once seen as one of Hollywood’s strongest couples. But after nearly 20 years of marriage, Alma shocked everyone — especially Richard — by filing for divorce.

Since then, she has stepped away from the spotlight, leaving many people asking: Where is Alma Gonzales today? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at her life — from how she met Richard, their marriage, becoming parents, the sudden split, and what she’s doing now.

Let’s start from the beginning.

Alma Gonzales Quick Bio

Who Is Alma Gonzales?

Alma Gonzales is best known as the first wife of actor Richard Thomas, who played John-Boy in The Waltons. But Alma had her own life and story long before she met him.

She was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She went to a local junior college and later taught English to Chicano students. While she didn’t go to any fancy dance schools, she had a natural talent for dancing — something that would soon change her life forever.

Even though she wasn’t famous, Alma had a calm and kind personality that made her stand out.

How Did Alma Gonzales Meet Richard Thomas?

Their love story began in a very unique place — a Middle Eastern nightclub in Los Angeles called The Fez. The club was known for folk dancing, and Alma was there practicing just like many others.

But Richard noticed her right away. In his own words, “She was obviously the best dancer there, and I kept ending up with her.” That night was the start of something special.

It may sound like something out of a movie, but that’s really how their story began. Two people with different backgrounds connected through dance and never looked back — at least for a while.

A Simple Wedding with a Big Love Story

After falling in love, Alma Gonzales and Richard Thomas got married on Valentine’s Day in 1975. The wedding was simple and sweet, held at Richard’s childhood Baptist church in Manhattan, New York.

Surprisingly, neither of their parents attended the ceremony. But it wasn’t due to any drama. Richard later explained that it followed an old Russian tradition — a wedding was seen as the moment a person enters adulthood, and so it’s meant to be just about the couple.

After the wedding, they spent their honeymoon in New York City, enjoying a romantic carriage ride around Central Park. It was a magical start to their new life together.

Alma Gonzales as a Wife and Mother

After the wedding, Alma focused on building a happy home life. She continued teaching and took pride in being both a wife and mother. Richard often praised her for how much she managed, especially while he was busy with his acting career.

In 1976, the couple welcomed their first child — a baby boy named Richard Francisco Thomas Jr. Becoming parents brought them even closer. Richard was deeply involved in family life and often spoke about how much Alma meant to him.

He once said, “She’s a wife and a mother, and she has a great sense of pride and accomplishment in that. And she still remains her own woman.”

The Surprise of Triplets

Just when they thought their family was complete, something unexpected happened.

In 1981, Alma gave birth to triplet daughters — Barbara Ayala, Gwyneth Gonzales, and Pilar Alma Thomas. What made this even more surprising was that the couple had only been expecting twins. During a check-up, doctors found a third heartbeat — and their lives changed overnight.

The arrival of the triplets made headlines. Their first birthday party was a big event filled with joy. Even celebrities like John Ritter and Sally Struthers attended. There were mini sombreros, tamales, a piñata, and lots of love.

Despite the chaos that comes with raising four kids, Alma handled it all with grace.

Alma Gonzales and Richard Thomas’s Life as Parents

Together, Alma and Richard tried their best to give their kids a normal and loving childhood.

Even though Richard was a successful actor, he remained hands-on at home. He cooked, helped with school runs, and shared parenting duties. Alma created a calm and nurturing home for the kids, and their family life seemed strong from the outside.

The couple became known for being a “real” Hollywood family — not just posing for photos, but truly raising their kids with care and love.

But behind the scenes, something was changing.

Why Did Alma Gonzales Divorce Richard Thomas?

In March 1992, Alma filed for divorce, and it shocked everyone — especially Richard. He later admitted that it wasn’t his idea and that the news “brought him to his knees.”

So what went wrong?

Alma explained it simply: “I wasn’t very happy in the marriage. There is no [single] reason why one person’s needs get met and the other person’s do not.” She also said that if Richard had been more in touch, he might have seen that something was off.

Despite the pain, the couple stayed calm and respectful during the split. Alma even said, “It’s amicable, thank goodness, because we have four terrific kids.”

Life After Divorce for Alma Gonzales

After the divorce was final in 1993, Alma Gonzales made a quiet decision — she stepped away from the spotlight completely.

While Richard Thomas was still working in movies, shows, and interviews, Alma focused on a private life. She did not speak to the media, attend public events, or post on social media. Many fans respected her choice to live peacefully and raise her children without attention.

Even though she left the public eye, Alma stayed close to her kids and worked with Richard to raise them together. Their co-parenting remained calm and respectful, which helped the children grow up in a healthy, loving way.

Richard Thomas’s Second Marriage and Blended Family

Not long after the divorce, Richard met Georgiana Bischoff, an art dealer with a gentle personality. They married in 1994, just one year after his split with Alma.

Georgiana had two daughters from a previous relationship, and together, she and Richard had a son named Montana in 1996. With Richard’s four kids from his first marriage, their family grew to seven children.

Blending two families is never easy, but Richard often said that honesty, patience, and love helped them through the hard parts. He also said his children accepted Georgiana quickly and supported his new chapter in life.

Even after moving on, Richard spoke kindly of Alma Gonzales and appreciated how they stayed focused on their kids.

Where Is Alma Gonzales Now?

Many people still ask: Where is Alma Gonzales today? The truth is, not much is known — and that’s on purpose.

Alma chose to live a life away from the cameras, and she has done that successfully. There are no recent interviews or official updates about her location. But from what is known, she’s doing well and still close to her children.

She may not be in the news, but Alma’s story still touches people. It shows that you can walk away from something that doesn’t make you happy — even if it’s hard — and still live with grace and peace.

Alma Gonzales’s Relationship with Her Children

Alma Gonzales has always been known as a loving and strong mother.

Even after the divorce, she stayed very close to her children — Richard Jr., Pilar, Barbara, and Gwyneth. While they all live private lives now, it’s clear that Alma helped raise them with kindness and care.

Richard Thomas once shared that their kids have grown into talented and thoughtful people. One daughter became a post-production producer, and another explored acting. Alma supported them quietly behind the scenes, letting them follow their own dreams.

She was never looking for fame. She simply wanted her kids to grow up happy — and that’s what matters most.

Final Thoughts

The story of Alma Gonzales is one of quiet strength.

She met a famous actor, had a beautiful family, and then made the tough choice to leave when things no longer felt right. Even though it surprised many — including Richard — she stayed true to herself and never looked back.

Since the divorce, Alma has lived a peaceful, private life. She raised four wonderful children and kept her dignity throughout everything. While Richard Thomas found love again and continued his career, Alma chose happiness in a different way — through privacy, family, and peace.

Her journey reminds us that you don’t need to be in the spotlight to live a strong and meaningful life.