Jill Vandenberg is best known as the sixth and final wife of Hollywood legend Tony Curtis, a marriage that drew attention for its significant age gap but lasted until his death in 2010. Beyond that headline, Jill built her own life as a model, horse trainer, and dedicated animal rescue advocate — a passion that has remained constant through marriage, loss, and a very public estate dispute.
Quick Facts About Jill Vandenberg
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Jill Vandenberg (also known as Jill Vandenberg Weber) |
| Known For | Former model, horse trainer, animal rescue advocate, and Tony Curtis‘s sixth wife |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Former lingerie model; horse trainer; animal rescue advocate |
| Former Husband | Tony Curtis (married 1998, until his death in 2010) |
| Current Husband | Todd Weber |
| Marriage to Curtis | About 12 years |
| Age Difference | Around 45 years younger than Curtis |
| Residence | South Dakota (reported) |
| Known For Today | Horse rescue and animal welfare work |
| Current Status | Lives a private life away from the spotlight |
Who Is Jill Vandenberg?
Jill Vandenberg is an American former model, horse trainer, and animal rescue advocate who became widely known after marrying Academy Award-nominated actor Tony Curtis in 1998. While many first learned her name through that marriage, she’s since become equally recognized for her long-standing dedication to horse rescue.
She spent years working directly with horses, and those close to the couple have described the animals as one of the strongest shared interests between Jill and Tony — together, they supported rescue efforts and cared for neglected horses at their Nevada property. After Curtis’s death in September 2010, Jill continued that work, remaining committed to horse welfare even after eventually relocating away from Nevada. Today, she’s remembered both as Curtis’s final wife and as someone who devoted much of her life to animals while maintaining a largely private lifestyle.
Her Early Life
Compared to many celebrity spouses, Jill Vandenberg has kept her early life notably private. Public information about her childhood, parents, education, and family background remains limited, and she’s rarely addressed these topics in interviews — meaning details like her exact birthplace and early schooling have never been widely documented.
What is clear is that she developed a deep love for horses and animals as she grew older, an interest that would go on to shape both her personal life and her career far more than any early public attention did.
Her Career Before Tony Curtis
Before her marriage to Tony Curtis, Jill Vandenberg worked as a lingerie model, an experience that introduced her to public life and the fashion industry. Over time, her interests shifted away from modeling toward horses, and she eventually built a career as a horse trainer — work that aligned far more closely with her genuine passions.
Horse training became more than simply a profession for her; it reflected what mattered most in her life. She spent years developing expertise in horse care before becoming deeply involved in rescuing neglected and abandoned animals. By the time she met Tony Curtis, she had already built a life centered around horses, a shared interest that would go on to strengthen their relationship considerably.
How She Met Tony Curtis
Jill Vandenberg met Tony Curtis at a restaurant during the 1990s, with their initial friendship gradually developing into a romantic relationship. Despite the attention that followed Curtis throughout his career, the two found a genuine connection.
Their roughly 45-year age difference became one of the most discussed aspects of their relationship, drawing considerable public scrutiny and skepticism about whether it would last. Curtis, for his part, didn’t seem troubled by the criticism — he often responded to questions about the age gap with humor, once joking that he’d never want to be with a woman people considered old enough to be his wife. Rather than focusing on public opinion, the couple concentrated on building their life together, eventually marrying a few years after they first met.
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Their Marriage
Jill Vandenberg and Tony Curtis married in 1998, when Curtis was in his seventies — his sixth marriage following five prior divorces. Despite widespread doubts stemming from their age gap, the marriage lasted until his death twelve years later.
The couple settled near Las Vegas, Nevada, embracing a quieter lifestyle centered on shared interests in horses, animals, and country living rather than the Hollywood scene. Jill regularly appeared alongside Curtis at public events, film gatherings, and charity functions throughout their marriage, and even as he stepped away from acting, the two remained close and evidently content spending time together.
Life Together in His Final Years
As Tony Curtis aged, his health grew increasingly fragile, and Jill remained by his side throughout, helping care for him through several serious health challenges while the two continued living near Las Vegas. One of the most serious scares came in 2006, when Curtis developed pneumonia — an illness severe enough to nearly take his life, after which he relied on a wheelchair. Jill stayed close throughout his recovery during this difficult period.
Though retired from acting, Curtis remained creatively active, spending much of his time painting; one of his works, The Red Table, was displayed at the Manhattan Metropolitan Museum in 2007, with his art also appearing in various auctions and private collections. Beyond his painting, the couple’s shared love for animals continued through the horse rescue they ran together in Nevada, caring for abandoned and neglected horses — work that remained one of the most meaningful parts of their relationship. Tony Curtis passed away on September 29, 2010, following a heart attack, at age 85.
The Estate and Family Dispute
Following Curtis’s death, significant attention turned to his final will. Many had expected his children to inherit part of his estate, but the will instead reportedly named Jill Vandenberg as the primary beneficiary. Reports at the time estimated the estate’s value at around $60 million, encompassing valuable property, artwork, and homes in Hollywood, Nevada, and Hawaii, with Jill also granted broad authority to manage the estate under the will’s terms.
This outcome surprised several family members. Curtis had six children from his previous marriages, including actress Jamie Lee Curtis, and had previously indicated during his lifetime that he intended to leave money for his children and grandchildren — a plan seemingly contradicted by his final will. His daughter Kelly Curtis challenged the will in court, and reports indicated Alexandra Curtis considered legal action as well, though these efforts ultimately didn’t change the outcome. Jamie Lee Curtis chose not to pursue legal action herself, publicly noting that much of the estate would likely be depleted by the time any court case concluded.
Further controversy arose after Curtis’s belongings were sold through Julien’s Auctions, with some of his children saying they hadn’t been informed of the sale in advance. Jill has denied claims that she influenced Curtis to alter his will, explaining instead that his relationships with certain children had already been complicated well before his death.
Her Life After Tony Curtis
Following Curtis’s death, Jill Vandenberg focused on moving forward while continuing the horse rescue work they had built together, dedicating even more time to caring for rescued animals. About three years after his passing, she remarried Todd Weber — though she’s continued to speak warmly about Curtis over the years, noting that his memory still holds a meaningful place in her life.
In 2019, Jill and Todd sold their Nevada ranch and relocated to South Dakota, gaining more space to continue their work with horses while embracing an even quieter lifestyle. Even after remarrying, Jill has remained committed to horse rescue, with her love for animals continuing to define much of her life.
Her Love for Horses and Animal Rescue
Helping horses has remained one of Jill Vandenberg’s most enduring passions, predating much of her public recognition. Her career as a horse trainer naturally evolved into rescue work, and she’s spent years helping neglected and unwanted horses receive proper care, shelter, and medical attention.
During her marriage to Tony Curtis, that passion became a shared mission — their Nevada horse rescue gave numerous animals a second chance and reflected a kindness both partners clearly valued. Today, Jill remains connected to horse welfare, and while she keeps most of her personal life private, her sustained commitment to rescued horses continues to be one of the most respected parts of her story.
Final Thoughts
Jill Vandenberg’s story extends well beyond her marriage to a famous Hollywood actor. She built her own career, cultivated a lifelong love for horses, and became an essential source of support for Tony Curtis through his final, health-challenged years. Following his death, she navigated significant public attention surrounding his estate and family disputes, yet remained focused on the work that mattered most to her — continuing her dedication to horse rescue, remarrying, and building a quieter life in South Dakota. Jill Vandenberg’s journey reflects both her connection to a legendary actor and her own lasting commitment to animal welfare, a cause she has clearly never stopped caring for.
FAQs About Jill Vandenberg
When did Jill Vandenberg marry Tony Curtis?
They married in 1998, remaining together until his death in 2010.
How much younger was Jill Vandenberg than Tony Curtis?
She was about 45 years younger, a significant age gap that drew considerable public attention.
Is Jill Vandenberg married now?
Yes — she remarried Todd Weber around 2013, and the couple later relocated to South Dakota.
What does Jill Vandenberg do now?
She continues supporting horse rescue and animal welfare, living a quieter, more private life than during her years with Tony Curtis.
Where is Jill Vandenberg today?
As of 2026, she’s believed to reside in South Dakota with her husband, Todd Weber, continuing their work with horses.
