Todd Bridges has moved to legally finalize the end of his marriage to Bettijo Hirschi, filing paperwork in Arizona to dissolve the union. The 60-year-old actor, a household name for his role as Willis on the 1970s and 80s sitcom Diff’rent Strokes, took the step this week after previously announcing a separation in January. This marks the second divorce for both Bridges and Hirschi.
The filing comes as a formal conclusion to a relationship that was characterized by a rapid start and a public, emotionally charged separation. In a statement shared in January, Bridges described the decision to part ways as a difficult one, though he emphasized a desire for peace and mutual respect. He noted that the choice came with a heavy heart, but expressed love and gratitude for the life they shared and the family they built together.
The actor, who has frequently spoken about his faith, stated at the time of the separation that he trusted a higher power to guide both parties toward healing and new beginnings, adding that he would continue to lift his former partner up in prayer.
From “Market Research” to Marriage
The relationship between Bridges and Hirschi began in January 2022, evolving quickly from an initial introduction to a wedding just nine months later following a brief engagement. The couple’s origin story was unconventional, involving a third party and a digital dating profile.
Hirschi previously shared that a friend had written a new dating profile for her and shared it with Bridges under the guise of “market research.” That introduction sparked a connection that led to their marriage in 2022. During an appearance on the Tamron Hall show, Bridges spoke warmly of Hirschi, noting that she reminded him of his own mother.
Financial Friction and Legal Disputes
While the public face of the separation has been one of gratitude, the marriage was shadowed by external legal and financial conflicts. In 2025, a contentious spousal support battle emerged involving Hirschi and her first husband, Heath Hirschi, from whom she divorced in 2020.
Court documents from that dispute provided a rare glimpse into the couple’s finances. During the proceedings, Hirschi described Bridges as semi-retired. Filings indicated that Hirschi claimed monthly expenses of approximately $16,550, while asserting that Bridges earned only about $700 a month in 2024, barring any additional contract perform.
The legal battle centered on Heath Hirschi’s attempt to stop paying $2,700 a month in spousal support after his ex-wife married a well-known actor. By December 2025, the court revised the agreement, setting child support at $1,206 per month and noting that $43,401.96 was due in unpaid past support for the four children the Hirschis share.
A Family Legacy in the Spotlight
The personal challenges of the present contrast with the enduring legacy Bridges established as a child star. Beyond his marriage, Bridges is a father to two adult children: daughter Bo, from a relationship with Amanda Rushing, and son Spencir, 27, from his first marriage.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(703x272:705x274)/todd-bridges-bettijo-hirschi-tamron-hall-011526-7d9ac0df3b684a638f25e5d36af58ed6.jpg)
Spencir Bridges followed in his father’s footsteps as a child actor, appearing in the 2005 series ER and the 2007 film Daddy Day Camp. His acting credits extended into 2009 with roles in the series iCarly and the television movie The Three Gifts, as documented on IMDb.
Todd Bridges himself has remained active in the industry, with roughly a dozen acting credits since 2020 and several projects currently in various stages of production.
The Last Survivor of a Sitcom Era
As the public processes the news that Todd Bridges officially files to divorce Bettijo Hirschi, he also carries the weight of being the last surviving original cast member of Diff’rent Strokes. The sitcom, which aired from 1978 to 1986, was a cultural touchstone that explored themes of race and adoption through the eyes of the Drummond family.
The loss of his former co-stars has been a gradual process over the last few decades, leaving Bridges as the sole remaining link to the show’s original ensemble.
| Cast Member | Role | Year of Death | Cause/Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dana Plato | Kimberly Drummond | 1999 | Overdose |
| Gary Coleman | Arnold Jackson | 2010 | Brain hemorrhage |
| Conrad Bain | Phillip Drummond | 2013 | Natural causes |
| Charlotte Rae | Edna Garrett | 2018 | Natural causes |
The legacy of the show remains significant, particularly through the spin-off The Facts of Life, which centered on the character of Edna Garrett and ran until 1988.
The legal proceedings in Arizona are expected to move forward in the coming months. While a representative for Bridges has not yet provided further comment, the filing marks the final step in a separation that began earlier this year. The next expected development will be the court’s review of the dissolution paperwork and any subsequent agreements regarding the division of assets.
Do you have memories of Diff’rent Strokes or thoughts on the evolution of child stardom? Share your comments below.
