Betty Broderick: Bio, Age, Net Worth, Career, Husband and More

Betty Broderick is a name that has sparked both fascination and controversy across the world for decades.

Known for the infamous murders of her ex-husband Daniel Broderick III and his second wife, Linda Kolkena, Betty’s life has been marked by an intense combination of betrayal, revenge, legal battles, and media scrutiny.

Her story is a deep reflection on the darker side of the American Dream and the emotional turmoil of a broken marriage.

In this post, we’ll dive into the intricate details of Betty Broderick’s life from her early years to her current situation and explore the key events that led to her notoriety.

Betty Broderick Bio

Category	Details
Full Name	Elisabeth Anne Broderick, née Bisceglia
Date of Birth	November 7, 1947
Age	77 years old
Place of Birth	Eastchester, New York, USA
Spouse	Daniel Broderick III (married 1969-1985, divorced)
Children	Kim Broderick, Lee Broderick, Daniel IV Broderick, Rhett Broderick
Criminal Charges	Second-Degree Murder (for the murders of Daniel Broderick III and Linda Kolkena, 1989)
Conviction	Guilty of second-degree murder
Sentence	32 years to life
Parole Status	Denied parole multiple times (most recently in 2017, next hearing in 2025)
Incarceration	California Institution for Women, Chino, California
Estimated Net Worth	$1.5 million (as of 2025)
Education	College of Mount Saint Vincent, Maria Regina High School, Eastchester High School
Notable Family	Daniel Broderick III (ex-husband), Linda Kolkena (victim), Kim Broderick (daughter)
High-Profile Event	1989 Murders of Daniel Broderick and Linda Kolkena
Media Attention	Subject of documentaries, books, and a true crime series
Legacy	Public fascination with the case; discussions on mental health, divorce, and revenge

Who Is Betty Broderick?

Betty Broderick became a symbol of revenge, betrayal, and emotional instability after the highly publicized murders of Daniel Broderick and Linda Kolkena.

At the time of the murders, Betty was a 41-year-old woman, devastated by her divorce from Daniel and the emotional devastation that came with his remarriage.

Her actions not only shocked the nation but also sparked debates about the breakdown of marriage, domestic violence, and the legal system.

Betty’s story isn’t just a criminal case; it’s a complex saga of emotional pain and mental health struggles. Through the years, her story has been the subject of numerous documentaries, books, and even a true crime series.

Early Life of Betty Broderick

Betty Broderick was raised in a middle-class family in Eastchester, New York. She was the second of six children born to Frank Bisceglia and Marita Bisceglia.

Growing up in an Italian-American household, Betty had a relatively typical suburban childhood. Her parents, however, had a significant influence on her upbringing, with her father often taking a more authoritarian role.

Betty attended Maria Regina High School in Bronxville, New York, where she was an average student, but well liked by her peers.

After high school, Betty pursued higher education at the College of Mount Saint Vincent. It was during this time that she met and married Daniel Broderick, a successful lawyer.

Betty Broderick Age

Betty Broderick was born in 1947, which makes her 77 years old as of 2025. Despite her age, Betty’s story remains a significant part of American criminal history.

Her media portrayals continue to keep her in the public eye, particularly as she has become a subject of fascination due to the psychological breakdown she experienced during and after her tumultuous marriage.

Physical Appearance

Throughout her life, Betty Broderick’s appearance has evolved, particularly through the intense media scrutiny she faced.

During her early marriage to Daniel, Betty was often described as an attractive and well-groomed woman.

As her emotional struggles and the breakdown of her marriage took a toll, her appearance also began to reflect the emotional turmoil she faced.

Today, Betty’s appearance is less talked about, with a focus now on her incarceration at the California Institution for Women in Chino, California.

Betty Broderick Net Worth

As of 2024, Betty Broderick’s net worth is estimated at $1.5 million. While she did receive a significant divorce settlement from her marriage to Daniel, her financial situation is largely shaped by the aftermath of her legal battles, including her trial and conviction.

Betty’s financial resources were also impacted by the property holdings that were involved in her divorce from Daniel Broderick and the extensive legal fees associated with her criminal case.

Much of her financial standing has been supplemented by media rights payments, as the Broderick case remains a popular topic for documentaries, books, and true crime stories.

Career Journey

Before Betty Broderick became known for her notorious criminal actions, she had a fairly typical career for a suburban housewife of her time.

She focused primarily on raising her four children: Kim, Lee, Daniel IV, and Rhett. Betty was a stay-at-home mom during her marriage to Daniel, which was part of the traditional family structure she adhered to.

After the divorce, Betty’s career ambitions were overshadowed by her legal battles and her eventual incarceration.

She did not have a high-profile career after her marriage, as her life spiraled out of control following her divorce and the shocking events of the 1989 murders.

Betty Broderick Family

Betty Broderick’s family dynamics were pivotal in shaping her life. Raised in a large family with five siblings, she had a complicated relationship with her parents, especially as her emotional turmoil deepened during her marriage.

Her children, however, were the central focus of her life before the tragedy unfolded.

Betty’s children Kim, Lee, Daniel IV, and Rhett were directly impacted by the public custody battle and the media coverage that followed their mother’s murder trial.

The case became a family tragedy as Betty was convicted and sent to prison, leaving her children to deal with the fallout of their parents’ bitter divorce and the shocking murders.

Betty Broderick Husband

Daniel Broderick III

Betty’s marriage to Daniel Broderick III was the foundation of the story that would eventually lead to betrayal and tragedy.

The two met while Betty was still attending college, and Daniel was attending law school at Harvard Law School. They married in 1969, and Betty gave birth to their four children during the course of their marriage.

However, their marriage began to fall apart when Daniel started an affair with his secretary, Linda Kolkena. Betty felt betrayed, and her mental state began to deteriorate.

In 1985, Daniel and Betty divorced, and he married Linda shortly after. Betty was not only devastated by the divorce proceedings but also furious at Daniel’s remarriage.

The relationship between Betty and Linda Kolkena became the focal point of Betty’s emotional breakdown, and in the end, Betty’s rage culminated in the tragic 1989 murders of both Daniel and Linda.

Betty Broderick’s Legal Case and Trial

The legal case against Betty Broderick is one of the most notorious in American criminal history. After the murders, Betty was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

During her trial, her defense argued that she was emotionally disturbed due to the psychological and domestic violence she suffered during her marriage to Daniel.

However, the jury verdict found her guilty of murder, and she was sentenced to 32 years to life. Her trial was plagued by a hung jury during the first attempt, resulting in a mistrial.

The second trial led to her conviction, which has since been the subject of endless media attention, creating a courtroom drama that captured the nation’s attention.

Betty Broderick Parole and Incarceration

Betty Broderick has been denied parole on multiple occasions, with hearings held in 2010 and 2017. She has been incarcerated at the California Institution for Women, serving her sentence.

Despite her appeals, Betty remains in prison, with parole denial a significant aspect of her ongoing legal battle.

Betty’s legacy, particularly her murder conviction, continues to haunt her. She may have served years in prison, but the story of the murders of Dan and Linda Broderick still remains a media sensation to this day.

Conclusion

Betty Broderick’s life is a tragic tale of a broken marriage, a psychological breakdown, and the devastating consequences of revenge.

While her story will forever be associated with the murders of Daniel Broderick III and Linda Kolkena, it is also a cautionary tale about the emotional and psychological toll that a toxic relationship can take.

The Broderick case remains one of the most talked-about in true crime history, offering an unsettling look into how far one woman’s emotional turmoil pushed her.

FAQs

What happened to Betty Broderick after her trial?

Betty was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 32 years to life. She has been denied parole multiple times and remains incarcerated at the California Institution for Women.

How old is Betty Broderick now?

Betty Broderick is 77 years old, born on November 7, 1947.

Is Betty Broderick still in prison?

Yes, Betty Broderick is currently serving her sentence at the California Institution for Women.

What is Betty Broderick net worth?

Betty Broderick’s estimated net worth in 2025 is around $1.5 million.

Why is Betty Broderick famous?

Betty Broderick is famous for the 1989 murders of her ex-husband Daniel Broderick III and his second wife Linda Kolkena, a case that has been heavily covered in the media.