What Happened to This 80s Teen Idol Who Lost Everything, Became Homeless And Slept Under Bushes

Willie Aames, the iconic star of Eight Is Enough and Charles in Charge, once enjoyed the kind of success most can only dream of. But beneath the glitz of his ’70s and ’80s teen-idol fame, his life unraveled. Faced with the collapse of his marriage, homelessness, estrangement from his child, and a struggle with addiction, Willie reached his lowest point. Yet, against all odds, he clawed his way back, rebuilding his life, finding lasting love, and emerging “happier” than ever in his third marriage.

Early Stardom

Born into the spotlight, Willie Aames was a Hollywood golden boy by his teenage years. In his memoir Grace Is Enough, he reflected on his meteoric rise: “I did my first commercial at nine, and by nineteen, I was making a million dollars a year—and burning through most of it.”

At the height of his fame on Eight Is Enough, Willie seemed to have it all. In 1979, he married Victoria Averbach, and the couple welcomed their son, Christopher, in 1981. However, their marriage ended in 1984, marking the start of a downward spiral.

Hitting Rock Bottom

Following his divorce, Willie’s life took a devastating turn. “Suddenly, there was no job, no bank account, no wife, no child. I never dreamt it could happen that fast,” he admitted.

Homeless, he relied on friends for shelter, slept in parking garages, and even found himself lying beneath bushes, questioning how his life had reached such a low. “I went from eating at the White House to sleeping in the bushes,” he recalled, candidly sharing his struggles with shame and self-doubt.

Adding to his turmoil, Willie battled addiction to drugs and alcohol. “I made my own poor choices,” he confessed in an interview with Studio 10. “I paid the price for it.”

During this dark period, he reportedly contemplated suicide. However, intervention from concerned friends and his own determination to survive helped him choose a different path.

Rebuilding from Scratch

At 47, Willie faced a pivotal decision: “I could either start over or choose to be a victim.” He chose to start over. Taking on a variety of jobs, from satellite installer to cruise ship crew member, Willie slowly pieced his life back together.

During this time, he also navigated personal challenges, including a second divorce from actress Maylo McCaslin, with whom he had a daughter, Harleigh. By the 2000s, Willie’s financial struggles culminated in bankruptcy and foreclosure. Desperate, he squatted in his own home, borrowing money to survive.

Determined to move forward, he began searching for work, even placing ads on Craigslist. He eventually found a job at Dish Network, earning $8.60 per hour. “When I started my life over, I had to learn everything again,” Willie said. “I had to get over all of the past mistakes.”

Finding Love and Stability

In 2010, Willie reconnected with his daughter, Harleigh, and began a new career path as a financial advisor. Meanwhile, his relationship with his son, Chris, remained a source of strength. “He’s one of the few people who didn’t give up on me,” Willie said.

In 2014, Willie found love in the most unexpected way. Winnie Hung, a fan and pen pal with whom he had corresponded for over 30 years, became his soulmate. Their years of letters built a foundation of trust, and when they finally met in person, Willie knew she was the one.

“Had I not gone through the ups and downs in my life, I wouldn’t have been the right man for Winnie,” Willie reflected. Ten months after their reunion, the couple married, beginning a new chapter together.

A Story Worth Sharing

Willie and Winnie’s extraordinary love story inspired Hallmark’s Love in the Limelight, turning their real-life romance into a heartwarming movie.

Looking back, Willie expressed gratitude for the lessons his struggles taught him. “I consider my life one of the greatest lives lived,” he said. Through determination, love, and resilience, Willie Aames proved that even in the darkest moments, renewal is possible.

His journey—from a teen idol’s fall from grace to a man who found lasting happiness—remains a testament to the power of second chances.

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