What Happened to Elaine Okamura After Her Divorce from Wayne Newton?

Have you ever heard the name Elaine Okamura and wondered, “Wait, wasn’t she married to someone famous?” You’re right. She was once married to Wayne Newton, one of the most popular singers and performers in Las Vegas history.

Back in the day, Elaine and Wayne were seen as a glamorous couple. He was the star with the spotlight, and she was the graceful woman beside him. But after their divorce in 1985, Elaine quietly stepped away from public life. Since then, many people have asked: Where is she now? Did she ever remarry? What is her life like today?

In this article, we’ll take a gentle walk through her life — from her early days in Hawaii to her high-profile marriage, and what might have happened after she left the spotlight. Let’s start from the beginning.

Elaine Okamura Quick Bio

Elaine Okamura’s Early Life in Hawaii

Elaine Okamura was born in 1944 in Honolulu, Hawaii. She grew up in a close-knit family and had one sister named Shirley Kajioka. Not much is publicly known about her parents or childhood, but she seems to have lived a peaceful life.

She attended Kaimuki High School, which is a well-known school in Honolulu. Photos of her from her school yearbooks in the late 1950s show a young girl with a bright smile. Like many other Hawaiian girls at the time, she had big dreams, but she lived a quiet and simple life.

Her early years were far away from the flash of Las Vegas lights or the music world. But soon, her life would take a surprising turn.

Elaine Okamura’s Career as a Flight Attendant

Before marrying Wayne Newton, Elaine worked as a flight attendant for a major American airline. It was a respectable and exciting job, especially in the 1960s. Flight attendants back then were seen as graceful, helpful, and always well-dressed — and Elaine fit that image perfectly.

Her job allowed her to travel across the country, meeting all kinds of people. This gave her a sense of independence and confidence. It also placed her in places where she could meet celebrities and public figures — and it’s likely how she crossed paths with Wayne Newton.

Being a flight attendant gave her a strong work ethic and taught her how to stay calm and polite in stressful situations — qualities that would help her later during her life in the spotlight.

How Elaine Okamura Met Wayne Newton

Elaine met Wayne Newton during his early rise to fame. At the time, Wayne was already becoming a major name in the Las Vegas entertainment world. He had hit songs like Danke Schoen and was performing regularly in top hotels.

They started dating sometime in the mid-1960s. Their relationship was mostly private, and Elaine never chased the spotlight, even while dating a celebrity. After about two years of dating, Wayne proposed to Elaine on Christmas Day in 1967, which made their love story even more special.

Fans were surprised when the news broke, as Elaine had kept such a low profile. But their wedding would soon be one of the most talked-about events in Las Vegas.

The Wedding of Elaine Okamura and Wayne Newton

Elaine and Wayne got married on June 1, 1968, in Las Vegas. The ceremony took place at the charming Little Church of the West, a popular wedding spot for stars. Their wedding reception was held at the famous Flamingo Hotel, and around 75 close friends and family joined them.

Elaine was just 23 years old, and Wayne was 26. The young couple looked happy and in love, standing side by side as flashbulbs popped. Though Wayne was in the spotlight, Elaine remained calm and elegant — always smiling, but never trying to steal attention.

This wedding marked the start of their journey as one of the entertainment world’s most admired couples.

Becoming the Wife of “Mr. Las Vegas”

After the wedding, Elaine stepped into a new life. She was now married to a man known as “Mr. Las Vegas.” Wayne Newton was everywhere — singing on stage, appearing in magazines, and traveling for shows. He became one of the highest-paid performers in Las Vegas.

But Elaine was never a flashy celebrity wife. She rarely gave interviews, and she didn’t walk the red carpets. Instead, she stood quietly beside her husband, supporting him from the background. Many fans admired her grace and how she stayed grounded despite the fame.

Life as Wayne Newton’s wife wasn’t always easy. With his busy schedule, public attention, and business pressure, there must have been many challenges. But Elaine handled it all with a kind of quiet strength.

Elaine Okamura and Wayne Newton’s Daughter, Erin

In 1976, after about eight years of marriage, Elaine and Wayne adopted a daughter named Erin Newton. For Elaine, this was a beautiful new chapter. She focused her time and energy on raising her daughter and creating a warm home.

Erin was born on July 25, 1976, and became the heart of their little family. Elaine chose to raise her away from the cameras. While Wayne continued performing, Elaine mostly stayed behind the scenes, likely helping Erin live a peaceful childhood.

Even today, Erin lives a private life — just like her mom. She has never chased fame and doesn’t appear much in public, which shows how strongly Elaine valued privacy for herself and her family.

Why Did Elaine and Wayne Split?

After nearly 17 years of marriage, Elaine Okamura and Wayne Newton divorced in 1985. The news surprised many fans because the couple always seemed calm and happy in public. But like many relationships, things may have been different behind closed doors.

To this day, the exact reason for their divorce has never been shared with the public. Some people think it was due to Wayne’s busy schedule or the pressure of fame. Others believe they simply grew apart over time. But no one really knows, and Elaine has never spoken publicly about it.

What’s clear is that the divorce was handled quietly and respectfully. There was no media fight, no public drama. Elaine simply stepped out of the spotlight — just like she had always preferred.

What Happened to Elaine Okamura After the Divorce?

So, what happened to Elaine Okamura after she and Wayne Newton parted ways? That’s the question many people ask. But the answer is simple — she chose peace and privacy.

After the divorce, Elaine completely stayed away from the media. She didn’t do interviews or appear in celebrity news. She focused on her daughter, Erin, and lived her life away from flashing cameras. Some reports say she returned to Honolulu, Hawaii, but this is not officially confirmed.

Her choice to live a private life shows her strength. Not everyone wants fame or attention. Some people just want a quiet, happy life — and that seems to be what Elaine wanted most.

Did Elaine Okamura Remarry or Find Love Again?

One of the most common questions is: Did Elaine Okamura get married again? The answer is — no one really knows.

There is no public record of her remarrying. She never appeared in magazines with a new partner, and she hasn’t shared anything on social media. It’s very possible that she remained single and focused on her daughter and personal life.

Elaine has always kept things private. If she did find love again, she likely chose to keep it out of the public eye — just like she did during her first marriage.

Wayne Newton’s Life After Elaine Okamura

While Elaine lived quietly, Wayne Newton continued performing. In 1994, he married Kathleen McCrone, a lawyer from Ohio. Their wedding took place at Casa de Shenandoah, Wayne’s large Las Vegas estate.

Together, they have a daughter named Lauren Ashley Newton, born in 2002. Kathleen stays mostly out of the spotlight, but she sometimes appears in Wayne’s social media posts.

Wayne went on to have a long and successful career. He faced some money problems — even filed for bankruptcy in the 1990s — but he rebuilt his wealth and is now worth about $50 million in 2025.

Where Is Elaine Okamura Now in 2025?

As of 2025, Elaine Okamura is believed to be living a quiet life — possibly still in Hawaii, where she was born. She is now 81 years old and has stayed completely out of the spotlight for decades.

She doesn’t appear on public records often, and she has no social media accounts. She hasn’t done any interviews or appeared in public events. But even without fame, her name still pops up online — especially whenever people talk about Wayne Newton’s past.

Her life remains a mystery, but her silence speaks loudly. It shows that not everyone who is connected to fame wants to stay in it forever.

Why Elaine Okamura’s Story Still Matters

You might wonder — why do people still talk about Elaine Okamura in 2025?

It’s because her story is rare and real. She married a world-famous singer, lived through years of fame, and then walked away quietly. No scandals. No fame-hunting. Just peace.

Elaine Okamura reminds us that you don’t need to be loud to be strong. Her graceful exit from the public world shows that some people value privacy more than attention — and that’s something many people respect today.

Her story is also about choice. She chose to live life her way — and that’s what makes her story powerful.

Final Thoughts

Elaine Okamura may not be in the headlines anymore, but her name still brings curiosity and respect. She went from being a flight attendant to being the wife of “Mr. Las Vegas,” and then returned to a quiet life on her own terms.

She raised her daughter with care, avoided drama, and never chased the fame that once surrounded her. While Wayne Newton moved forward with a new life, Elaine chose a different path — one filled with privacy, peace, and quiet strength.

And sometimes, that kind of life is the most beautiful of all.