Lyssa Rae Brittain, often called Big Lyssa, is best known as the third wife of American bounty hunter and television personality Duane “Dog” Chapman. They married in 1982 and divorced in 1991.
She is also the mother of Lyssa “Baby Lyssa” Chapman, who appeared on Dog the Bounty Hunter. Before becoming known through the Chapman family, Big Lyssa reportedly studied business and worked in her father’s business.
Lyssa Rae Brittain’s Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Lyssa Rae Brittain |
| Nickname | Big Lyssa |
| Date of birth | July 15, 1954, according to multiple reports |
| Age | 72 years old as of 2026 |
| Birthplace | Denver, Colorado, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Reported businesswoman and homemaker |
| Education | Reportedly University of Colorado |
| Known for | Being Duane Chapman’s third wife |
| Former husband | Duane “Dog” Chapman |
| Marriage | 1982–1991 |
| Known children | Barbara Katie Chapman, Tucker Dee Chapman, Lyssa Chapman |
| Relationship status | Divorced |
| Net worth | Not reliably known |
Early Life
Lyssa Rae Brittain was reportedly born on July 15, 1954, in Denver, Colorado.
Based on this date, she is 72 years old as of 2026.
Information about her childhood is limited. Her father was reportedly a businessman, but her parents’ names have not been reliably documented.
Parents and Siblings
Little public information is available about Big Lyssa’s family before her marriage to Duane Chapman.
Some biography websites simply identify her parents as Mr. and Mrs. Brittain. These are not their confirmed full names.
There is also no reliable information about whether she has brothers or sisters.
Education
Lyssa Rae Brittain reportedly attended Denver High School.
She later studied at the University of Colorado, where secondary sources say she earned a degree in business.
The exact degree title and graduation year have not been clearly documented.
Her Business Career
Big Lyssa is commonly described as a businesswoman and homemaker.
Reports say she began working in 1977 by helping manage her father’s business. Her father’s work reportedly gave her early experience in business.
There is little reliable information about her later career. No major company or business venture owned by her is clearly documented in the available information.
Big Lyssa Was Married Before Duane Chapman
Duane Chapman was reportedly not Big Lyssa Rae Brittain first husband.
She was previously married to an Assemblies of God minister. According to reports, she said the marriage ended because her husband had been unfaithful.
One source says this divorce became official in 1988. However, that date conflicts with her 1982 marriage to Duane Chapman, so the exact date of her first divorce is unclear.
No children from her first marriage are identified in the available information.
How Big Lyssa Met Duane Chapman
Big Lyssa reportedly met Duane Chapman at a bar.
At the time, she was reportedly separated from her first husband. Duane’s previous marriage to Anne M. Tegnell had also broken down.
Accounts of their early relationship say religion was one subject that helped bring them together.
Duane Reportedly Offered Her $1,000 to Have His Child
Duane discussed his relationship with Big Lyssa in his 2007 memoir, You Can Run But You Can’t Hide.
According to accounts of the book, Duane said he offered Lyssa $1,000 to have his child after they discussed their religious beliefs.
This unusual detail comes from Duane’s own account of their relationship.
Big Lyssa and Duane Chapman Married in 1982
Lyssa Rae Brittain became Duane Chapman’s third wife in 1982.
Sources disagree about the exact wedding date. Some give January 6, 1982, while another account places the wedding in June 1982, shortly before their daughter Barbara was born.
The ceremony reportedly took place in Colorado and was performed by a Native American official or chief.
Because the sources disagree, only the year 1982 can be stated with confidence from the information available.
Who Is Duane “Dog” Chapman?
Duane Chapman is an American bounty hunter, former bail bondsman, and television personality.
He became widely known as Dog the Bounty Hunter. His reality series Dog the Bounty Hunter aired from 2004 to 2012.
He later appeared in television programs including Dog and Beth: On the Hunt and Dog’s Most Wanted.
Duane has been married several times. Big Lyssa was his third wife.
Big Lyssa and Duane Chapman Divorced in 1991
Big Lyssa and Duane’s marriage lasted about nine years.
They divorced in 1991, with one account placing the divorce in November of that year.
There is no clearly established single reason for their divorce. Some secondary reports discuss differences in their lifestyles, but other sources simply say the reason was not publicly confirmed.
How Many Children Did Big Lyssa and Duane Have?
The supplied sources disagree about the exact number of children Big Lyssa had with Duane.
The three children consistently identified as theirs are:
- Barbara Katie Chapman
- Tucker Dee Chapman
- Lyssa Rae Chapman
Some secondary sources also list Nicholas Chapman as their son. However, this information is inconsistent across the available material and should not be treated as confirmed without stronger evidence.
Barbara Katie Chapman
Barbara Katie Chapman was reportedly born on June 8, 1982.
She later became a mother to a son named Travis Drake-Lee Chapman.
Barbara died in a car accident in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 2006. She was 23 years old.
Tucker Dee Chapman
Tucker Dee Chapman was born on September 8, 1983, according to the supplied sources.
He has generally maintained a lower public profile than some other members of the Chapman family.
Who Is Lyssa “Baby Lyssa” Chapman?
Lyssa Rae Chapman was born on June 10, 1987.
She became known as Baby Lyssa to separate her from her mother, who was called Big Lyssa.
Baby Lyssa Rae Brittain became a television personality through appearances on her father’s reality series, Dog the Bounty Hunter.
She has also spoken publicly about her childhood and her relationships with her parents.
Why Is She Called Big Lyssa?
The nickname Big Lyssa helps distinguish Lyssa Rae Brittain from her daughter.
Her daughter is commonly called Baby Lyssa, while her mother became known as Big Lyssa.
These names became familiar to people following the Chapman family.
Life in Alaska
After Big Lyssa and Duane separated, reports say Big Lyssa and Baby Lyssa eventually lived in Anderson, Alaska.
Baby Lyssa later spoke publicly about experiencing a difficult childhood during this period.
She has made serious claims about problems involving alcohol, drugs, abuse, housing, and parental supervision. These accounts are Baby Lyssa’s descriptions of her own childhood and should be understood as her reported claims rather than independently established findings about Big Lyssa.
Big Lyssa and Baby Lyssa’s Relationship
Lyssa Rae Brittain has publicly discussed having a difficult relationship with her mother.
In a reported 2016 interview, she said her mother had struggled with alcohol and that this affected their relationship.
Baby Lyssa also said she developed a closer relationship with her father.
These statements reflect Baby Lyssa’s account of her family life.
Did Big Lyssa Remarry?
There is no reliable information showing that Big Lyssa remarried after her divorce from Duane Chapman.
One report says she later moved in with a boyfriend, but his name and details about their relationship were not provided.
Her current relationship status is not publicly known.
Big Lyssa Is a Grandmother
Lyssa Rae Brittain has grandchildren through her daughters.
The supplied information identifies Abbie Mae Chapman and Madalynn Grace Galanti as daughters of Baby Lyssa.
Her late daughter Barbara had a son named Travis Drake-Lee Chapman.
Where Is Big Lyssa Now?
Big Lyssa has kept a low public profile for many years.
Older reports connect her with Denver, Colorado, while other information discusses her earlier life in Alaska.
Her current residence and activities in 2026 are not reliably known.
Is Big Lyssa on Social Media?
There does not appear to be a clearly verified public social media account belonging to Lyssa Rae Brittain in the information reviewed.
Some biography websites list an account associated with “Baby Lyssa,” but that refers to her daughter rather than Lyssa Rae Brittain.
Big Lyssa’s Net Worth
Big Lyssa’s personal net worth has not been publicly confirmed.
Some biography websites estimate it at around $500,000, while others give a range of $500,000 to $1 million.
These figures are unverified and should not be treated as confirmed financial information.
Facts About Big Lyssa
- Her full name is Lyssa Rae Brittain.
- She is commonly known as Big Lyssa.
- She was reportedly born on July 15, 1954.
- She is from Denver, Colorado.
- Her father was reportedly a businessman.
- She reportedly studied business at the University of Colorado.
- She began working in her father’s business around 1977.
- She was married before meeting Duane Chapman.
- She became Duane Chapman’s third wife in 1982.
- She and Duane divorced in 1991.
- Barbara Katie, Tucker Dee, and Baby Lyssa are consistently identified as their children.
- Her daughter Baby Lyssa appeared on Dog the Bounty Hunter.
- Her daughter Barbara died in a car accident in 2006.
- Big Lyssa is a grandmother.
- She has largely stayed away from public attention in recent years.
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