Blair Warner from 'The Facts of Life' Is a Happy Granny at 59 with New Husband after Divorce from Pastor (2024)

Lisa Whelchel, also famously known as Blair Warner from the hit series "The Facts of Life," grew up in front of the camera. But going through puberty on TV was not easy. After the show ended, she tried out new careers and ended her marriage of 24 years. Now, she lives happily as a grandmother and a wife.

Lisa Whelchel started her acting career as a child. She was one of the musketeers on the hit children's show, "The Mickey Mouse Clube House," from 1977 to 1978.

When she entered her teenage years, she landed a role on the TV show "The Facts of Life," a series about an all-girls boarding school in upstate New York. Whelchel played the preppy and wealthy Blair Warner for nine years then returned for the show's film adaptation in 2001.

Lisa Whelchel and the rest of "The Facts of Life" cast in 1990 | Source: Getty Images

Since the end of "The Facts of Life," Whelchel has taken a break from acting and explored other career endeavors. She became a best-selling author with many controversies around her book "Survivor: Philippines in 2012."

However, the actress reunited with her co-stars from "The Facts of Life" in the film "Light up My Christmas" in 2019. Whelchel also appeared as a host for "Collectors Call," where she traveled to meet up with some of the world's best collectors.

Looking back at her time on "The Facts of Life," Whelchel admitted that it wasn't easy being a 16-year-old and figuring out puberty on television.

Lisa Whelchel in Los Angeles in 1990 | Source: Getty Images

She explained that as a teenager, "You're trying to find out who you are. Your body is changing, your face is changing, and your hair is changing. "When all that's captured on TV — and there are still reruns! — there is a little bit of a groan element."

Another tricky part of growing up in front of the camera was how writers and producers criticized her body. She revealed that three production team members told her to lose weight and even sent her to a weight loss facility.

After the show ended in 1988, Whelchel stayed out of the limelight to focus on herself, marriage, and being a mother, which all happened quickly.

Lisa Whelchel and her family in California in 2004 | Source: Getty Images

The actress wrote an autobiography after her breakthrough show and confessed that her father advised her to marry her first husband, Steve Cauble, one of the pastors at her church.

Whelchel did take her father's word and married the pastor, and they lived in Sherman Oaks for six years before moving to Texas in 2006.

Lisa Whelchel in California in 2014 | Source: Getty Images

After 24 years of being together, Cauble and Whelchel divorced but remained friends. When the divorce was finalized, she went on to feature on the reality show, "Survivor."

Lisa Whelchel Got Engaged at 56: She Is Happy Again After Divorce

Fortunately, Whelchel's divorce was peaceful and did not give her any doubts about marrying again. She still saw a future where she would walk down the aisle.

The actress said she and Cauble were still best friends and had dinners together. Her daughter was even unaware of her parent's divorce because they still had a normal family relationship.

The transition after the divorce was easy for Whelchel, who went on to live a happy life still. She shared memorable moments of spending quality time with her family, one of which was a video of her trying to ride a tricycle with her granddaughter.

Whelchel stuck to her word and never gave up on love. The actress fell in love again at 56 and shared the good news of her engagement with Pete Harris.

The "Survivor" star expressed how happy and excited she was to spend the rest of her life with Harris. She looked forward to the laughs, cuddles, and kisses she would enjoy forever.

The couple tied the knot in 2019, and Welchel shared that they randomly decided to get married at the local chapel because the pandemic changed their plans. But now that day gets to be their wedding anniversary, reminding them of an intimate yet impulsive decision they made together.

Lisa Whelchel Reveals New Life with 3 Children after Divorce

Whelchel and her ex-husband Cauble share three children—Clancy, Haven, and Tucker Cauble— and when "Survivor" premiered, they gathered to watch her.

The actress' children could not be more proud of their mother. Despite taking a break from acting, they believe she's a hard worker and can succeed at anything she puts her mind to. "She's the strongest woman I know," said Tucker.

Whelchel's daughter Haven is married, Tucker is part of a band in Dallas called, Dovetail, and the youngest Clancy wishes to follow in her mother's footsteps and be on the same show with her.

The actress's daughters were not wrong about their mother's career adventures. In fact, Whelchel also became a life coach. She said she was fascinated by people and what ticked them off. But the fulfillment of it was helping others find their passion.

Lisa Whelchel in California in 2014 | Source: Getty Images

Despite the different careers she ventured into, Whelchel said she's most proud of her children and their spouses. Nothing makes her happier than seeing her kids thriving and being loved by their partners. "I can leave this earth with a smile on my face knowing that my children are just fine," she once said,

As a cherry on top, Whelchel's daughter Haven welcomed a daughter in 2019 and made the actress a proud grandmother. She shared an adorable picture of her and her newborn grandchild on Instagram. She told her she was loved by her parents but even more by her "CoCoMama."