The life of a celebrity is often marked by very public relationships, and the legendary comedian Redd Foxx was no exception. His marriage to Yun Chi Chung, though short-lived, remains a fascinating footnote in his storied history. Here’s a closer look at the woman who was his third wife.
1. Her Identity and Background: A Meeting in Vegas
Yun Chi Chung, sometimes referred to as Joi Yun Chi Chung, was not a fellow entertainer or a socialite. She was a Korean immigrant working as a cocktail waitress in the vibrant, fast-paced environment of Las Vegas during the 1970s. It was in this city of chance and glamour that her path crossed with Redd Foxx, who was at the peak of his fame from the smash-hit television show “Sanford and Son.” Their meeting was a classic Vegas story—a world-famous comedian and a woman far from her home, connecting under the neon lights.
2. A Whirlwind Romance and a Vegas Wedding
The romance between Foxx and Chung moved quickly. After a brief courtship, they decided to tie the knot in the most Las Vegas way possible: on New Year’s Eve. They were married on December 31, 1976, choosing the last night of the year to symbolize a new beginning together. The wedding encapsulated the glamour and spontaneity of Foxx’s lifestyle, marking the start of a highly publicized, though ultimately brief, marriage.
3. Public Life and the Surreal Glare of Fame
As the new Mrs. Foxx, Yun Chi Chung was suddenly thrust into the public eye. She accompanied Redd to events and was captured in photographs that documented their life together. One of the most famous images, taken in 1977, shows the couple at the Stars Hall of Fame in Orlando, Florida. In a surreal moment, they are pictured smiling alongside wax statue figures of Foxx himself and his co-star and friend, LaWanda Page. The photo is a poignant symbol of her new reality: living alongside a man whose celebrity was so immense it had been immortalized in wax.
4. The Strain of Cultural Differences
Behind the public smiles, the marriage faced significant challenges. Multiple sources from the time and those close to Foxx have cited significant cultural differences as a major contributing factor to their discord. One frequently recounted anecdote highlights Foxx’s strong dislike for traditional Korean cuisine, which was a fundamental part of Yun Chi Chung’s heritage and daily life. This seemingly simple clash over food served as a metaphor for the wider gulf between their worlds—differences in custom, communication, and expectation that proved difficult to bridge.
5. Divorce and a Substantial Settlement
The marriage could not withstand the pressures, and the couple separated. Their divorce was finalized in 1981, ending their union after just under five years. The split was not quiet; it was settled with a significant financial agreement. Reports confirmed that Redd Foxx paid Yun Chi Chung a settlement of $300,000—a considerable sum at the time—to formally conclude their marriage. This settlement provided her with financial independence as she moved on from the world of a Hollywood star.
6. A Return to Obscurity
Following the divorce, Yun Chi Chung did what many in her position have not: she completely disappeared from the public eye. She gave no interviews, wrote no books, and made no attempts to leverage her brief fame for personal gain. She accepted the settlement and chose a path of total privacy, leaving the story of her marriage to Redd Foxx as the only public chapter of her life. This quiet retreat back into anonymity is a defining part of her story, suggesting a desire for a normal life away from the glare of the spotlight.
In the end, Yun Chi Chung’s story is a classic tale of two different worlds colliding. For a few years, she was a part of Redd Foxx’s incredible journey, but she ultimately chose to write her own story away from the cameras, remaining an enigmatic figure in the history of American comedy.