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Betty Broderick has recently passed away on May 8, 2026, at the age of 78. The cause of death has not been revealed yet, and a medical doctor has claimed for now that it was due to natural circumstances. For the unversed, Betty Broderick was in the headlines in November 1989 when she allegedly murdered her husband, Dan Broderick, and his second wife, Linda Kolkena.
Betty was at the California Institution for Women for all these years. However, she was transported to a medical center three weeks before her demise so that she could be taken care of. Notably, Broderick died during a period when she was serving her sentence for two charges of second-degree murder. Betty’s parole was dismissed multiple times over the years, and she would have been eligible for the same once again in 2032. Betty was a mother of four children from her marriage to Dan. Keep reading to know more!
Betty Broderick and Dan Broderick had four children
Photo credit: KFMB
Betty Broderick and Dan Broderick reportedly met in 1965. The duo tied the knot four years later in 1969. Betty and Dan welcomed their first child, Kimberly Broderick, also known as Kim, in 1970. A year later, the former couple had another child named Kathy Lee Broderick, or Lee, in 1971. The pair became the parents of two more children, Daniel Broderick IV and Rhett Broderick, born in 1976 and 1979.
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Betty and Dan’s marriage was going fine for almost ten years until the latter allegedly started an affair with Linda Kolkena during the ‘80s. Notably, Betty and Dan’s marriage was going through some trouble, and Kolkena was working for Dan as a legal assistant during that period. They eventually separated in 1985, which was followed by a battle for the custody of the kids and the sale of the family house. Dan and Linda exchanged vows in 1989 and were allegedly murdered by Betty in the same year.
Kimberly Broderick has been in the spotlight for various reasons over the years
Photo credit: Court TV
Compared to the other three children of Betty Broderick and Dan Broderick, Kim has been in public view for multiple reasons. Betty’s children had once met her in prison more than ten years ago in 2014, and Kim shared the snaps of the same with ABC. Kim also appeared at the second trial of her mother that happened in 1981. Notably, Kimberly claimed at the trial that Betty had allegedly attempted suicide after the death of Dan Broderick and Linda Kolkena. However, Kim could not do it because there were no bullets in her gun.
Photo credit: OWN
In 2014, Kimberly Broderick also wrote a book, Betty Broderick, My Mom: The Kim Broderick Story. The book discusses in detail how Kim helped herself and her siblings to survive the circumstances that emerged due to Betty’s legal problem. Around a year after she appeared at her mother’s trial, Kim recalled what her mother had told her in a call in prison. While speaking to PEOPLE in 1992, Kim said:
“If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here. But I think she’s handling it better now.”
Kathy Lee Broderick did not have a good relationship with her father
Photo credit: Court TV
Kathy Lee Broderick had some issues with her late father over the years. This was reportedly due to the fact that she was not included in Dan’s will. Notably, it was Dan’s decision due to Kathy’s problems at school and with drugs. However, the estate was split equally among the other three children.
Photo credit: CBS 8 San Diego
Apart from Kim, Lee was also the one who appeared at her mother’s trial in 1991. Lee claimed at the trial that Betty Broderick had also informed her about the fact that she shot dead Dan. On the other hand, Kathy also supported releasing her mother in 2010. She said at that time that if Betty was released, she could have stayed with her, considering that she was missing her father.
Daniel Jr. Broderick refused to support the release of his mother
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Although Daniel Jr. Broderick and the other three children had visited their mother in prison, he was one of those who did not want his mother to be released. Back in 2010, Betty Broderick was denied parole. She said at that time that her aim was not to kill someone, even though she was having violent thoughts when she was going to her husband’s house. Betty said that she had to choose between shooting the people inside the house or shooting herself, and she could not let the other side win. Reacting to his mother’s words, Daniel Jr. Broderick told CBS:
“In my heart, I know my mother is a good person. But along the way she got lost. Releasing a lost person into society could be a dangerous mistake.”
Rhett Broderick did not have a normal childhood due to the situation inside his house
Photo credit: Memorable Guests
Rhett Broderick once recalled in an interview with Oprah Winfrey that there were multiple occasions during his childhood when he lived with his family relatives and in boot camps for children with certain issues. Rhett shared his experience by saying that he felt like everyone blamed him for the problems that were going on between his parents. Rhett also supported his mother’s release from prison, saying that she was not a danger to anyone else. Recalling the alleged crime committed by his mother, Rhett said:
“I just remember thinking, ‘Wow.’ I wasn’t really surprised. On multiple occasions [my brother and I] went to my dad and said to him that we wanted to live with my mom, and that not having her kids was driving her crazy – and that she could do something extremely irrational if she didn’t have us.”
Photo credit: Memorable Guests
What are your thoughts about Betty Broderick’s children and everything that they said about their mother before her death? Let us know.
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