Who Is Charlotte Hopkins? The Story of Terry Bradshaw’s Ex-Wife and Family Law Attorney

Many people first hear the name Charlotte Hopkins because of her marriage to former NFL star Terry Bradshaw. While that is part of her story, it is far from the whole picture. Charlotte built a successful career of her own and earned respect as one of Texas’s well-known family law attorneys.

Over the years, she has balanced a busy legal career with family life. She is a mother, an experienced lawyer, and someone who has stayed active in her profession for many years. Unlike many celebrity spouses, she has focused more on her work than on living in the spotlight.

Charlotte Hopkins also became known because she and Terry Bradshaw shared nearly two decades of marriage and raised two daughters together. Their relationship attracted public attention, especially after their divorce, but Charlotte continued moving forward with her own life and career.

In this article, you’ll learn about Charlotte Hopkins’ early life, education, legal career, marriage to Terry Bradshaw, children, and where she is today. We’ll also clear up a few facts that are often confused online and focus on information that is supported by reliable sources.

Charlotte Hopkins’ Quick Bio

Who Is Charlotte Hopkins?

Charlotte Hopkins, sometimes called Charla, is an American family law attorney based in Texas. She has spent many years helping people with divorce, child custody, family disputes, and other legal matters. Her long career has earned her respect from both clients and other lawyers.

Even though she is successful in her own field, many people know her as the third wife of former NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw. Their marriage made headlines for years, and many readers still search for Charlotte Hopkins because they want to know more about her life.

Still, there is much more to her story than her famous marriage. She worked hard to build her legal career long before becoming widely known. Her work, education, and professional achievements show that she has always had goals beyond public attention.

Today, Charlotte Hopkins is recognized both as a respected attorney and as a mother who has supported her family while maintaining a successful career. That balance is one reason her story continues to interest readers.

Charlotte Hopkins’ Early Life and Education in Denton, Texas

Charlotte Hopkins grew up in Denton, Texas, where she spent most of her childhood. Her father, Charles Hopkins, served on the Denton City Council, making public service an important part of the family’s background. Growing up in a close community helped shape her strong work ethic.

Some websites give different information about Charlotte’s birth year. While there is agreement that she was born on April 17, the exact year is not always reported correctly. Because some published sources conflict with each other, it is best to focus on facts that can be confirmed instead of repeating uncertain claims.

Charlotte attended Denton High School before continuing her education. She later studied at Texas Woman’s University, where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Human Studies. Graduating with top honors showed her dedication to learning from an early age.

After that, she continued her education at Southern Methodist University, where she earned her law degree. Her years of study gave her the knowledge she would later use in one of the most demanding areas of law.

Her education did not simply prepare her for a job. It helped build the skills she would need to guide families through difficult situations with care, patience, and experience.

How Charlotte Hopkins Became a Family Law Attorney

After completing her education, Charlotte Hopkins chose to focus on family law. This area of law deals with divorce, child custody, adoption, child support, and other family matters. It requires not only legal knowledge but also patience and good communication.

Over the years, she became known as an experienced attorney who works closely with families during important moments in their lives. Her work has earned the trust of many clients throughout Texas.

Charlotte has also been active in several professional organizations. She has been a member of the Denton County Bar Association, the Collaborative Law Institute of Texas, and the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. These memberships reflect her ongoing commitment to her profession.

Her legal work has brought her many honors. She has received recognition from Texas Super Lawyers, Elite Lawyer, D Magazine, and Living Magazine. She has also appeared on lists recognizing top attorneys in Denton County and Dallas.

One of her biggest achievements is becoming Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. This certification is awarded only to lawyers who meet high standards through experience, education, and testing.

Charlotte has also been recognized for her legal writing. She received an award for writing one of the best continuing legal education articles on family law for the State Bar of Texas. That honor reflects not only her courtroom experience but also her deep understanding of family law.

How Charlotte Hopkins Met Terry Bradshaw

Charlotte Hopkins met Terry Bradshaw when she was still very young. According to Terry, she was 19 years old when they first met. He later joked that he believed she was a little older at the time.

Their relationship did not move quickly. They dated for about four years, and their journey together included several breakups before they finally decided to marry. Like many couples, they had moments when they questioned whether their relationship would last.

Years later, Terry shared that he had struggled with trust early in the relationship. He eventually realized Charlotte truly loved him, and that gave him the confidence to take the next step. Looking back, he described that moment as a turning point in their love story.

The couple married in 1982, beginning what would become Terry Bradshaw’s longest marriage. At the time, Terry was already one of football’s biggest stars, while Charlotte was building the legal career that would later earn her widespread respect.

Although Terry’s football career often placed them in the public eye, Charlotte generally preferred a quieter life. She continued focusing on her family and professional goals instead of seeking fame for herself.

Charlotte Hopkins and Terry Bradshaw’s Married Life

Charlotte Hopkins and Terry Bradshaw spent nearly 17 years together as husband and wife. During those years, they built a family and shared many important moments while Terry continued his successful career in football and later television.

As Terry moved from being a Super Bowl-winning quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers to becoming a popular television sports analyst, Charlotte managed both her legal career and family responsibilities. She largely stayed away from the spotlight, choosing to keep her personal life private.

The couple welcomed two daughters during their marriage. Their first daughter, Rachel Bradshaw, was born in 1987. Years later, they welcomed Erin Bradshaw, who was born in 1992. Both daughters would later follow their own interests while remaining close to their family.

Rachel developed a love for music and graduated from Belmont University in Nashville. She also appeared on a television series that followed singers chasing their dreams in Music City. Sadly, her first husband, former Tennessee Titans player Rob Bironas, died in a tragic accident.

Their younger daughter, Erin, found her passion in horses. She became deeply involved in horseback riding and later married Scott Weiss, whose business trains champion horses. Erin also graduated with honors from the University of North Texas.

Charlotte’s family also includes Lacy Hester, her daughter from another relationship. Lacy later married private chef Noah Fox Hester and has remained close to the extended Bradshaw family. Even after changes in the family over the years, the daughters have continued to share strong family bonds.

Why Charlotte Hopkins and Terry Bradshaw Divorced

Charlotte Hopkins and Terry Bradshaw ended their marriage in 1999 after nearly 17 years together. Neither of them shared many private details about why the marriage ended, and they largely kept those reasons out of the public eye. Because of that, it is best to avoid guessing about the cause.

The divorce had a deep effect on Terry Bradshaw. In later interviews, he openly shared that this divorce was much harder on him than his first two. He said he struggled with depression, anxiety, and sadness for a long time after the marriage ended.

Terry explained that he had frequent anxiety attacks, lost weight, found it hard to sleep, and could not focus on daily life. He also said he often cried and sometimes felt angry or hopeless. By speaking openly, he helped many people understand that depression is a real illness that deserves care and support.

While Terry discussed his experience publicly, Charlotte Hopkins chose a different path. She stayed private, continued raising her family, and focused on her legal career instead of speaking about the divorce in the media.

Over time, both moved forward with their lives. Terry continued his television career with FOX Sports, while Charlotte remained dedicated to her work as a family law attorney.

Charlotte Hopkins’ Children and Family

Family has always been an important part of Charlotte Hopkins’ life. She is the mother of three daughters, and each has followed her own path while remaining close to the family.

Her oldest daughter with Terry Bradshaw is Rachel Bradshaw, who was born in 1987. Rachel studied at Belmont University in Nashville and built a career as a singer and television personality. Many viewers also know her from The Bradshaw Bunch, where fans got a closer look at the family’s daily life.

Rachel’s life also included great loss. Her husband, former Tennessee Titans player Rob Bironas, died in a car accident in 2014. Even after that difficult time, Rachel continued to build her music career and remained close to her family.

Charlotte and Terry’s younger daughter, Erin Bradshaw, was born in 1992. Erin has always loved horses and became well known in the horse world. She competes in horse events and works closely with her husband, Scott Weiss, who trains champion horses through Scott Weiss Horses.

Erin graduated with honors from the University of North Texas. She and Scott share a life centered around horses, ranch work, and family. Their success in the horse industry has made Erin well known beyond being Terry Bradshaw’s daughter.

Charlotte Hopkins also has another daughter, Lacy Hester. Public reports say Lacy is from another relationship before Charlotte’s marriage to Terry Bradshaw. Lacy later married private chef Noah Fox Hester and has remained close to her sisters and the extended Bradshaw family.

Although Charlotte’s marriage ended years ago, family has remained one of the most important parts of her life. She has always supported her daughters as they built their own careers and families.

Charlotte Hopkins’ Life After Terry Bradshaw

After her divorce, Charlotte Hopkins quietly returned her full attention to her legal work. Instead of staying in the public eye, she focused on helping clients and growing her career as a respected family law attorney.

She later found happiness again. On July 29, 2012, Charlotte married Rick Hagen, a well-known criminal defense attorney in Texas. Like Charlotte, Rick built a successful legal career through many years of hard work.

Rick Hagen became licensed to practice law in 1990. He serves as a senior partner at Jackson Hagen Criminal Law and has held several leadership roles during his career. He also served as President of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

Rick graduated from Denton High School, earned his bachelor’s degree from Austin College, and later completed his law degree at the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Before becoming an attorney, he was also involved with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

Charlotte and Rick have largely kept their marriage private. They do not often appear in entertainment news, choosing instead to focus on their work, family, and personal lives.

Terry Bradshaw also remarried. After two earlier marriages and his marriage to Charlotte, he married Tammy Bradshaw, and they have remained together for many years.

Where Is Charlotte Hopkins Now?

As of 2026, Charlotte Hopkins continues to be known mainly for her legal career rather than her past marriage. She remains respected in Texas for her work in family law and continues helping people through difficult family situations.

Over the years, she has earned recognition from several legal groups and publications. These include Texas Super Lawyers, Elite Lawyer, D Magazine, Living Magazine, and other professional organizations that recognize experienced attorneys.

One of her greatest professional achievements is becoming Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Only a limited number of attorneys receive this certification, making it an important milestone in her career.

Charlotte also stays connected with professional groups such as the Denton County Bar Association, the Collaborative Law Institute of Texas, and the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.

Unlike many people connected to celebrities, Charlotte has never tried to build fame from her personal life. Instead, she has continued living a quiet and professional life focused on her family and legal practice.

Bottom Line

Charlotte Hopkins is much more than Terry Bradshaw’s former wife. She has built a respected legal career, earned many professional honors, and raised a close family while staying away from unnecessary public attention.

Although her marriage to one of football’s biggest stars brought her into the spotlight, her own achievements tell an even stronger story. From graduating with top honors to becoming a board-certified family law attorney, she has created a career based on hard work and dedication.

Today, Charlotte Hopkins continues to be admired for both her professional success and her private, family-centered life. Her story shows that lasting success often comes from steady work, personal growth, and staying true to your own path rather than seeking fame.

(FAQs)

Is Charlotte Hopkins still married to Terry Bradshaw?

No. Charlotte Hopkins and Terry Bradshaw divorced in 1999 after nearly 17 years of marriage.

What does Charlotte Hopkins do for a living?

She is a family law attorney who has practiced law in Texas for many years and has received several professional honors.

Who is Charlotte Hopkins married to now?

Charlotte Hopkins married Rick Hagen on July 29, 2012. He is also an experienced Texas attorney.

Why is Charlotte Hopkins famous?

She became widely known through her marriage to Terry Bradshaw, but she is also respected for her successful legal career and many years of work in family law.

Where is Charlotte Hopkins now?

Charlotte continues to live a mostly private life while focusing on her legal career, family, and professional work in Texas.

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