Details About Allen Ludden: Children, Net Worth, Death, Parents

 

Allen Ludden was born on October 5, 1917, in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. His parents were Elsie (nee Thayer) and Chester Ludden. He had two older sisters, Dorothy and Elizabeth. Ludden was a talented athlete and excelled in both basketball and baseball. He graduated from high school in 1935 and went on to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison on a basketball scholarship.

Ludden’s basketball career was cut short by a knee injury, but he remained at UW-Madison, graduating with a degree in English in 1939. He then took a job as a high school English teacher and basketball coach in River Falls, Wisconsin. In 1941, he married Margaret McGloin. The couple had three children: David, Sarah, and Susan.

Ludden’s career took an unexpected turn in 1943 when he was recruited by the United States Army to serve as a Japanese language instructor. He spent the next three years teaching Japanese to American soldiers in California and Hawaii. After the war, Ludden returned to teaching and coaching. In 1950, he earned a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from UW-Madison.

Ludden’s big break came in 1951 when he was hired as the host of a new game show called “Password.” The show was an instant hit and made Ludden a household name. He went on to host several other game shows, including “The Newlywed Game” and “Name That Tune.”

In 1963, Ludden met Betty White while she was a guest on “Password.” The two became fast friends and began dating shortly thereafter. They married in 1963 and remained together until Ludden’s death in 1981.

Ludden was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 1980 and died on June 9, 1981, at the age of 63. He was survived by his wife, Betty White, and their three children.

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia