Bruce Hasselberg, A Minnesota real estate executive. Son of the mayor of Bloomington. Naval officer. Political candidate. Proposed to a 19-year-old girl at a beauty pageant on their first date. Married her. Had a daughter. Divorced after two years. Then watched his ex-wife become a global television icon while he quietly built a business empire in Texas. Bruce Hasselberg is the story of a man who loved whirlwind romance but couldn’t sustain it—and chose success over fame.
BRUCE HASSELBERG: COMPLETE FACTS
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bruce Donald Hasselberg |
| Born | May 3, 1939, Hennepin County, Minnesota |
| Age | 86-87 years old (as of 2026) |
| Father | Donald R. Hasselberg (Mayor of Bloomington 1964-1967) |
| Mother | Phyllis Marian Hasselberg |
| Siblings | Sister Barbara Hasselberg Chevalier |
| Military Service | U.S. Navy, Petty Officer rank |
| Education | Bloomington High School (1957), University of Minnesota (Retailing & Retail Operations, 1957-1961) |
| First Marriage | Loni Anderson (July 10, 1964 – 1966) |
| First Marriage Duration | 2 years |
| Daughter | Deidra Hoffman (born 1965) |
| Second Marriage | Unknown name (produced son James Hasselberg) |
| Third Marriage | Barbara Howard (actress, died 2013 from cancer) |
| Political Career | Ran for Minnesota Lieutenant Governor (1966, Republican primary, 24.37% of votes/65,964 votes) |
| Career | Real estate executive, broker, business owner |
| Company | Hasselberg Companies (San Antonio, Texas) |
| Positions Held | Senior VP Premier Realty (1965-1970), VP Real Estate Space Center Minnesota, CFO Hasselberg Companies (1976-1996) |
| Real Estate License | Received January 1967, worked 60+ years |
| Current Residence | San Antonio, Texas |
| Net Worth | High-net-worth individual (exact amount undisclosed) |
| Grandchildren | Megan Hoffman, McKenzie Hoffman, plus others |
| Additional Skills | Country singer, Rotary International member |
| Legacy | Father to Deidra Hoffman (school administrator), raised successful business legacy |
The Son Of A Mayor
Bruce Donald Hasselberg was born May 3, 1939, in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
His father, Donald R. Hasselberg, was the mayor of Bloomington, Minnesota from 1964 to 1967. His mother was Phyllis Marian Hasselberg, called the “First Lady of Bloomington” during her husband’s administration.
Growing up in a family of public service shaped Bruce. Leadership. Responsibility. Community engagement. These weren’t optional values. They were expected.
He had a sister, Barbara Hasselberg Chevalier. Both children were raised with discipline and ambition.
Bruce graduated from Bloomington High School in 1957. Then attended the University of Minnesota, studying Retailing and Retail Operations from 1957-1961.
He was building a traditional path. Education. Career. Stability.
Then he joined the U.S. Navy, achieving the rank of Petty Officer. Military service. More discipline. More responsibility.
Everything about young Bruce Hasselberg suggested a man who would build a quiet, successful life. Nobody predicted he’d meet a beauty queen and propose on the first date.
The Girl At The Pageant
- Miss Minnesota pageant.
Bruce attended to cheer on his sister Barbara, who was competing.
He saw Loni Anderson. A 19-year-old blonde with dreams of stardom.
According to reports, he was “smitten” immediately. By the end of their first date, he proposed.
Loni said yes.
Her parents objected. She was too young. The relationship was too fast. This man was from Minnesota; she wanted to pursue entertainment.
But Loni and Bruce were determined. They eloped to South Dakota on July 10, 1964.
They got married without family permission. Without fanfare. Just two people in love.
The Marriage That Lasted Two Years
1964-1966. Two years of marriage.
In 1965, they welcomed a daughter: Deidra Hoffman.
A beautiful girl. A symbol of their love. But also a responsibility that made the differences between them more apparent.
Loni wanted to act. She wanted to pursue entertainment. She had dreams that required her to leave Minnesota.
Bruce wanted stability. Business. Family. A quiet life building something real.
These incompatibilities became impossible to ignore. By 1966, they divorced.
Two years. One daughter. A lifetime of complications.
What Happened After
Bruce Hasselberg rebuilt his life.
He received his real estate broker license in January 1967. Started a career in commercial and industrial real estate.
From 1965-1970, he was Senior Vice President at Premier Realty. Then Vice President of Real Estate at Space Center, Minnesota.
By 1976, he was managing complex real estate portfolios. Eventually, he owned the Hasselberg Companies in San Antonio, Texas.
He served as CFO of his business interests from 1976 to 1996.
For over 60 years, he worked in real estate. Building wealth. Building a business. Building a life that didn’t require fame.
He had another son, James Hasselberg, from a second marriage. James eventually worked in his father’s business, managing operations.
He married again—a third time—to actress Barbara Howard. But Barbara died of cancer in 2013.
Bruce Hasselberg experienced real grief. Real loss. Real human complications far beyond what tabloids covered about Loni.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Bruce Hasselberg?
A: Bruce Hasselberg is a Minnesota-born real estate executive best known as Loni Anderson’s first husband. Born May 3, 1939, he built a successful business career spanning six decades.
Q: How long were Bruce Hasselberg and Loni Anderson married?
A: Bruce Hasselberg and Loni Anderson were married for two years, from July 10, 1964, to 1966.
Q: Do Bruce Hasselberg and Loni Anderson have children?
A: Yes. Bruce Hasselberg and Loni Anderson have one daughter together: Deidra Hoffman, born in 1965.
Q: What does Bruce Hasselberg do for work?
A: Bruce Hasselberg is a real estate executive who built a 60+ year career in commercial and industrial real estate. He owned Hasselberg Companies in San Antonio, Texas.
Q: Did Bruce Hasselberg run for political office?
A: Yes. In 1966, Bruce Hasselberg ran in the Republican primary for Minnesota Lieutenant Governor, receiving 65,964 votes (24.37% of the vote) but did not secure the nomination.
Q: What is Bruce Hasselberg’s net worth?
A: Bruce Hasselberg is described as a high-net-worth individual, though exact figures are not publicly disclosed. His wealth comes from real estate, business ownership, and investments.
Q: Was Bruce Hasselberg married after Loni Anderson?
A: Yes. Bruce Hasselberg married at least two more times after Loni Anderson. His second marriage produced son James Hasselberg, and his third marriage was to actress Barbara Howard, who died of cancer in 2013.
Q: Where does Bruce Hasselberg live?
A: Bruce Hasselberg currently resides in San Antonio, Texas.