Elaine Trebek Kares, the ex-wife of iconic Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek, has carved a dynamic legacy as a businesswoman, former broadcaster, and art curator, far beyond her high-profile marriage. Born in 1943 in Columbus, Ohio, this 82-year-old boasts a net worth of $15 million in 2025, amassed through ventures in cosmetics, media, and art. At 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) and 120 lbs (55 kg), Elaine’s journey from Playboy Bunny to CEO of innovative companies like Scent Seal Inc. and Gallery GO showcases her resilience. Married three times—currently to Peter Kares since March 18, 2001—her dating history and amicable divorce from Alex highlight her strength. While her salary remains private, income from art and past ventures fuels her independence. This article dives into her life, offering fresh insights and SEO-optimized details on her age, height, weight, and more, drawing from reliable sources like IMDb and Wikipedia.
Elaine Trebek Kares Wiki and Bio: From Ohio Roots to Media Trailblazer
Elaine Trebek Kares (née Howard, formerly Callei) embodies reinvention. Born in Columbus, Ohio, she graduated from Ohio State University in the early 1960s with a journalism degree, sharpening her storytelling skills. At 20, under the pseudonym Teddy Howard, she worked as a Playboy Bunny, a bold move that funded her ambitions. “It was empowering in its own wild way,” she recalled in a 2010s interview, per entertainment archives, reflecting on the era’s cultural shifts.
In the late 1960s, Elaine moved to Toronto, launching a party-planning business that led to her hosting Call Callei on CHCH-TV in 1971. Her candid discussions on sexuality sparked controversy, notably after a 1972 interview with Xaviera Hollander, drawing scrutiny from the Canadian Radio-Television Commission. Yet, this amplified her fame, proving her ability to turn challenges into opportunities.
Now 82, Elaine thrives in Los Angeles, curating art at Gallery GO. Her Caucasian heritage and American nationality tie to her Ohio roots, but her global appeal stems from a career blending media and entrepreneurship. Her story resonates as a case study in adaptability, detailed further on The Biography.
Elaine Trebek Kares Career: Pioneering Businesses and Lasting Innovations
Elaine’s career spans broadcasting and business, marked by bold ventures. Post-1981 divorce from Alex, she launched Scent Seal Inc. in the mid-1980s, a cosmetic sampling firm with patented airtight packaging, solving leakage issues for brands like Estée Lauder. By 1990, it secured lucrative partnerships, boosting her net worth.
In the 1990s, she co-founded Mag-A-Music, creating magnetic CD/DVD packaging that helped small labels stand out pre-streaming. ASG Media Inc. followed, offering affordable ad space for startups in national magazines. She sold two companies profitably, shuttered one, and now runs Gallery GO, a Los Angeles art space curating contemporary works.
Gallery GO, launched in the 2010s, thrives in 2025 as a hub for investment art, per her LinkedIn. Her salary—estimated at $500,000+ annually—stems from gallery revenue ($2 million in 2024, per LA design reports) and consulting. Scent Seal’s eco-friendly seals cut waste by 30%, a prescient nod to sustainability, as she noted in a 2023 art forum: “Business is problem-solving with heart,” per Closer Weekly.
Elaine Trebek Kares Net Worth and Salary in 2025: A Blueprint for Financial Independence
Elaine’s $15 million net worth in 2025 reflects her entrepreneurial savvy, not reliance on her divorce from Alex Trebek (whose estate hit $75 million by 2020). The 1981 split included a shared home sale, but her wealth grew through Scent Seal and Mag-A-Music sales. Her salary—undisclosed but estimated at $500,000+—draws from 40% art sales, 30% media residuals, and 30% investments, per industry data.
Unlike celebrity exes, Elaine’s wealth is self-made. “I never wanted to be defined by marriage,” she said in Alex’s 2020 memoir The Answer Is…. Her net worth holds strong in 2025’s booming art market (up 12%, per UBS). Gallery GO’s success and her real estate investments ensure financial autonomy, outpacing peers reliant on alimony.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | $15 Million |
| Primary Income Sources | Business sales, art curation, consulting |
| Annual Salary Estimate | $500,000+ |
| Divorce Settlement Impact | Minimal; self-built assets |
| Investment Focus | Real estate, art, sustainable tech |
Elaine Trebek Kares Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance: Timeless Elegance
At 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) and 120 lbs (55 kg), Elaine maintains a poised, athletic build. Her long blonde hair and dark brown eyes exude classic elegance, unchanged since her 1970s TV days. At 82, she favors tailored, artistic outfits, often seen in scarves at gallery events.
Her fitness routine—yoga and Hollywood Hills hikes—keeps her vibrant. “Movement is my meditation,” she told a 2022 wellness podcast, per The Biography. Elaine’s wellness defies age, supporting her high-energy career with grace.
Elaine Trebek Kares Married Life, Dating History, and Divorce Reasons: Love’s Enduring Lessons
Elaine’s romantic life spans three marriages, free of public dating scandals. Her first, to Louis Callei (1963-1974), produced daughter Nicky Trebek but ended amid Toronto moves. Her second, to Alex Trebek (September 25, 1974-May 13, 1982), saw Alex adopt Nicky. Career pressures led to an amicable divorce, finalized for $320 with no lawyers, per Alex’s memoir.
Post-divorce, Elaine and Alex co-parented Nicky, remaining friends. She urged Alex to retire after his 2010s health scares, per Wikipedia – Alex Trebek. Since March 18, 2001, she’s been married to Peter Kares, a film producer, with no divorce rumors after 24 years. “Love evolves, but respect endures,” she said in a 2020 Alex tribute.
| Life Milestone | Timeline and Insights |
|---|---|
| First Marriage (Louis Callei) | 1963-1974: Had Nicky; ended due to relocation |
| Second Marriage (Alex Trebek) | 1974-1981: Nicky adopted; split over careers |
| Third Marriage (Peter Kares) | 2001-Present: 24 years; business synergy |
| Dating Post-Divorces | Minimal; career-focused |
| Children | 1 (Nicky, media producer) |
Elaine Trebek Kares Age, Family, and Facts: Bonds That Transcend Time
At 82, Elaine cherishes family. Nicky Trebek, in her 50s, works in media, mirroring her mom. No grandkids are noted, but Elaine joins Alex’s widow Jean for family reunions, per Celeb Live Update. Her parents’ details are private, but Ohio roots shaped her grit.
Her Caucasian heritage ties to Buckeye pride. She supports animal shelters and art access, per her X posts @ETrebekKares. A 2025 post mourned a Trebek home demolition: “Endings make space for new beginnings.”
Elaine Trebek Kares Children and Legacy: Nurturing the Next Generation
Elaine’s only child, Nicky Trebek, adopted by Alex, thrives in media, producing Jeopardy! specials. “She taught me to pivot without panic,” Nicky said. Elaine’s blended family includes Alex’s kids, Matthew and Emily, united post-divorce. Her legacy—$15 million and counting—spans sustainable business and art advocacy. Gallery GO’s 2025 exhibits on female innovators reflect her trailblazing path.
