Karen Weitzul is perhaps best known as the first wife of Thomas Girardi, the disbarred lawyer whose once-prominent career in law came to a dramatic and controversial end. While Thomas Girardi’s legal battles, personal scandals, and high-profile marriage to Erika Jayne have captured much of the public’s attention, little is known about his first wife, Karen. Despite this, Karen Weitzul’s life story offers a fascinating look into the early years of Girardi’s life, the impact of their marriage, and her continued private existence after their divorce.
A Quiet Life Before the Spotlight
Karen Weitzul early life remains largely unreported, as she has lived much of her life out of the public eye. Born in the early 1940s, Karen was raised in a family that valued education and community involvement. Growing up in Southern California, she was well-connected socially but did not actively seek out fame or public attention. Her early years were spent in school and various community roles, though details about her childhood remain sparse.
Her educational background isn’t extensively known, but she attended college in California, where she became socially active, participating in local events and gaining some recognition. Karen’s life would take a pivotal turn when she met Thomas Girardi, a rising attorney in the legal world.
Karen Weitzul Marriage to Thomas Girardi
Karen Weitzul married Thomas Girardi in 1964, marking the beginning of a nearly 20-year marriage. At the time, Girardi was starting to build his legal career, and Karen was by his side during these formative years. They shared a life that would see Thomas rise to great heights in the legal world, gaining fame for his work in the field of personal injury law, especially his involvement in the famous Erin Brockovich case. However, while Girardi was climbing the ladder of success, Karen remained largely out of the media spotlight, focusing on her private life.
Their marriage was one of relative quiet compared to the later, much-publicized life that Thomas would lead. In the 1980s, after almost two decades of marriage, Karen Weitzul and Thomas’s relationship began to unravel, leading to their divorce in 1983. The reasons behind their split remain private, but it was clear that Karen chose a different path from Thomas as he continued his rise to fame.
The Divorce and Life After
Following their divorce, Karen Weitzul life took a significant shift as she chose to stay out of the public eye. Unlike Thomas, whose career continued to gain attention, Karen lived a quieter, more private life. Despite the end of their marriage, she was entitled to spousal support, which she received for many years after their separation.
While little is known about her activities post-divorce, it’s clear that Karen made a conscious decision to remain out of the limelight. Unlike many ex-wives of famous figures, Karen didn’t use her connection to Thomas Girardi to gain media attention or public recognition. She focused on rebuilding her life, away from the prying eyes of the public.
Legal Battles and Financial Settlements
Over the years, Thomas Girardi’s financial troubles became a major public issue, culminating in a highly publicized bankruptcy and legal scandal that involved millions of dollars in misappropriated client funds. As Girardi’s legal and financial situation worsened, his former wives, including Karen, found themselves re-entering the legal spotlight.
In recent years, spousal support payments owed to Karen Weitzul were mentioned in various legal proceedings. As Girardi’s financial difficulties mounted, Karen was one of the individuals seeking compensation from his estate. The public discovered that she had been owed back payments for spousal support, which had not been honored in full.
In 2022, a settlement was reached, with Karen receiving a lump sum of $200,000 from the sale of one of Girardi’s properties. This settlement marked the conclusion of her long-standing claim for the overdue payments, as Girardi’s financial collapse made it impossible for him to meet the obligations set during their divorce. The settlement was part of the bankruptcy proceedings, where many of Girardi’s former clients and family members were forced to claim their owed amounts through the court system.
Karen Weitzul Life in Pasadena and Privacy
Despite her connection to one of the most controversial figures in the legal world, Karen Weitzul has lived much of her life in Pasadena, California, a city known for its affluent lifestyle and close proximity to Los Angeles. After her divorce, Karen maintained a low profile in Pasadena, where she kept to herself and avoided the celebrity scene that her former husband entered.
Her privacy is one of the defining characteristics of her life. While many would expect the ex-wife of such a high-profile attorney to seek media attention, Karen has chosen a life of discretion. She does not engage with social media or give interviews, preferring to stay away from the spotlight. Even when her name resurfaced in the media during the bankruptcy proceedings, she kept a quiet and composed demeanor, refusing to capitalize on her connection to Girardi for personal gain.
Karen Weitzul Net Worth and Financial Standing
Karen Weitzul net worth is not widely known, but it is estimated to be modest compared to the enormous wealth accumulated by her ex-husband during his peak. As of 2026, her estimated net worth is in the range of $1 million to $2 million, largely built from her ongoing spousal support payments and the $200,000 settlement she received in 2022. Unlike other high-profile ex-wives, Karen did not pursue business ventures or public career opportunities, which means her financial standing is mainly tied to her legal settlements and prudent financial management following her divorce.
While this amount may seem modest compared to Girardi’s wealth, it reflects Karen’s more reserved and private approach to life after the divorce. She was never interested in the spotlight, and her financial standing has largely been supported by the long-term spousal support payments that were set during their divorce.
Karen Weitzul Legacy and Public Perception
Karen Weitzul is not a public figure by choice. Her legacy is not tied to major public achievements, but rather to her quiet strength and discretion in the face of her ex-husband’s very public fall from grace. Her ability to maintain privacy in a world that thrives on gossip and scandal is perhaps her most admirable quality.
Public perception of Karen is often shaped by her connection to Thomas Girardi. She is seen as a private, resilient individual who has not sought attention from her association with him. When her name does appear in the news, it is often in the context of legal settlements or financial claims linked to Girardi’s bankruptcy, further cementing her status as a figure who simply wishes to move on from her past life with him.
In the broader narrative of Girardi’s life and scandal, Karen remains a reminder that not all those associated with high-profile cases seek fame or media attention. Her life has largely been defined by her decision to remain private, to avoid public scrutiny, and to focus on personal stability and independence.
Conclusion
Karen Weitzul story is one of discretion, privacy, and resilience. As the first wife of Thomas Girardi, she played a role in his early life but chose to step away from the public spotlight as his career soared and eventually crumbled. Today, she is primarily remembered for her legal entanglements with Girardi’s estate, her long-standing spousal support claim, and her quiet life in Pasadena.
Unlike many ex-wives of public figures, Karen Weitzul’s life has not been marked by fame or scandal but by her decision to live quietly and independently. Her financial settlements and personal life are intertwined with the dramatic rise and fall of Thomas Girardi, but she has remained a private figure through it all — a legacy of quiet strength in the face of a turbulent past.