Theresa Larson Masters, widely known as Terry Ventura, is best recognised as the wife and long-time partner of Jesse Ventura. While her husband’s life has unfolded in the very public worlds of professional wrestling, film, media commentary, and politics, Theresa has largely remained outside the spotlight. Her story is one of loyalty, resilience, and quiet strength, spanning nearly five decades of marriage through dramatic career changes, public scrutiny, and political history.
This biography-style profile explores her life in depth, not as a celebrity chasing attention, but as a woman whose steady presence played an important role behind one of America’s most unconventional public figures.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Theresa Larson Masters |
| Also Known As | Terry Ventura |
| Date of Birth | Not publicly disclosed |
| Age | Estimated to be in her mid-70s as of 2026 |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | Approx. 5 ft 5 in (estimated) |
| Hair Colour | Brown (formerly dark brown) |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Education | Privately educated; details undisclosed |
| Profession | Private individual; political spouse and public supporter |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Jesse Ventura |
| Children | Tyrel Ventura, Jade Ventura |
| Known For | Wife of Jesse Ventura; appearance in Citizen Jesse |
| Estimated Net Worth | USD $1–2 million (combined household estimate higher) |
Early Life and Education
Theresa Larson Masters was born in the United States in the years following the Second World War, a period defined by rebuilding, traditional family values, and social change. Unlike her husband, whose early life and military service have been widely documented, Theres’s upbringing has remained deliberately private. This discretion would later become a defining feature of her public identity.
She grew up in a conventional American household where stability, responsibility, and personal integrity were strongly valued. Friends and associates from later years often describe her as grounded, thoughtful, and quietly confident, traits that suggest a childhood shaped by discipline and close family ties.
Her formal education took place in the United States, though exact details of her schooling and any higher education have never been publicly shared. What is clear is that she developed strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, qualities that would later prove essential as she navigated life alongside a husband who was highly outspoken and sometimes controversial.
From a young age, Theresa appeared more inclined towards a private, family-centred life than public ambition. While Jesse Ventura gravitated towards physical challenge, competition, and leadership, Theresa’s strengths lay in support, organisation, and emotional steadiness.
Personal and Family Life
Theresa Larson Masters married Jesse Ventura on 18 July 1975, long before he became a household name. At the time, Jesse was still forging his identity after serving in the US Navy and beginning his career in professional wrestling. Their marriage began during years of uncertainty and ambition, forming a foundation that would endure through fame, political power, and public criticism.
Their relationship is notable for its longevity. In an era when celebrity marriages often collapse under pressure, Theresa and Jesse’s union has lasted over 50 years. This endurance is frequently attributed to Theresa’s preference for privacy and her refusal to be drawn into public drama.
The couple has two children. Their son, Tyrel Ventura, pursued a creative career in film, working as a director and producer on documentaries and independent projects. Their daughter, Jade Ventura, has chosen a much more private path and remains largely out of the public eye.
Family life has always been Theresa’s central focus. During Jesse Ventura’s wrestling tours, acting roles, and later political campaigns, she maintained stability at home, raising their children away from constant media exposure. Even during Jesse’s tenure as Governor of Minnesota, Theresa avoided political grandstanding, preferring a supportive but restrained role.
Career Journey
Theresa Larson Masters has never pursued a high-profile professional career in her own right, and this choice was intentional rather than circumstantial. Her life’s work has largely centred on family management, behind-the-scenes advocacy, and providing unwavering support to her husband’s varied ambitions.
When Jesse Ventura rose to fame as a professional wrestler in the 1970s and 1980s, Theresa managed the demands of an unpredictable lifestyle that involved extensive travel and physical risk. As his career expanded into acting, including roles in major Hollywood films, she continued to prioritise family stability.
Her most visible public contribution came during Jesse Ventura’s political career. In 1998, when Jesse launched his unlikely campaign for Governor of Minnesota, Theresa stood by him through a media storm that few expected them to survive. Her appearance in the 1999 documentary Citizen Jesse offered rare insight into her personality, showing her as calm, pragmatic, and emotionally grounded.
Although she did not seek political office herself, Theresa played a key advisory role privately, helping Jesse manage stress and public expectations. Observers from the campaign period have often noted that her influence was subtle but significant.
Life Challenges and Turning Points
Life alongside Jesse Ventura has never been conventional, and Theresa Larson Masters has faced numerous challenges that required resilience rather than publicity.
One of the earliest challenges was adjusting to sudden fame during Jesse’s wrestling career. The aggressive, theatrical world of professional wrestling brought public attention that neither had initially sought. Later, Hollywood exposure introduced new pressures, including media speculation and long absences from home.
The most defining turning point came in 1998 with Jesse’s election as Governor of Minnesota. Overnight, Theresa found herself in the orbit of political power. The scrutiny was intense, and Jesse’s outspoken views attracted both passionate supporters and harsh critics. Theresa responded by maintaining her privacy and shielding her family from unnecessary exposure.
Health issues within the family, including Jesse Ventura’s well-documented struggles with chronic pain related to his military service, also shaped her life. Theresa took on the role of caregiver and advocate during difficult periods, reinforcing her reputation as a pillar of strength.
Current Life and Career
In recent years, Theresa Larson Masters has continued to live a quiet life, largely out of the public eye. She and Jesse Ventura have spent time between different residences, enjoying a slower pace after years of public responsibility.
Theresa does not maintain a public social media presence, a rare choice in the modern age that aligns with her long-standing commitment to privacy. Her days are reportedly focused on family, personal interests, and supporting Jesse’s ongoing media commentary and writing projects.
Although no longer involved in political life, she remains an important figure in Jesse Ventura’s personal world, offering balance to his outspoken public persona.
Net Worth and Financial Status
Theresa Larson Masters’ personal net worth is not independently documented, as her finances have long been intertwined with her husband’s career. Estimates suggest her individual net worth to be between $1 million and $2 million, while the Ventura household’s combined wealth is significantly higher.
Their income has historically derived from professional wrestling, film acting, book sales, television work, political salary, and speaking engagements. Theresa’s lifestyle reflects comfort rather than extravagance, consistent with her understated public image.
Public Image and Media Presence
Theresa is widely perceived as private, dignified, and grounded. Unlike many political spouses, she has never sought the limelight or attempted to shape public opinion. Media portrayals often depict her as the calm counterbalance to Jesse Ventura’s bold, confrontational style.
Those who have encountered her personally often remark on her warmth, dry humour, and ability to remain composed under pressure. Her limited media appearances have only reinforced her reputation as authentic and unpretentious.
Fun Facts and Anecdotes
Despite her reserved nature, a few personal anecdotes have emerged over the years. Theresa is said to possess a sharp sense of humour that she rarely displays publicly. During Jesse’s wrestling days, she reportedly watched matches not for spectacle but to ensure his safety.
Another lesser-known detail is her influence on Jesse’s decision-making during key career shifts. Friends have noted that while Jesse is outspoken, Theresa’s opinions often carry significant weight in private discussions.
Conclusion
Theresa Larson Masters represents a different kind of public figure, one defined not by visibility but by endurance. Her life alongside Jesse Ventura has spanned professional wrestling rings, Hollywood film sets, and the governor’s office, yet she has remained steadfastly herself.
Her legacy lies in resilience, discretion, and unwavering support. In a world fascinated by celebrity noise, Theresa’s quiet strength stands as a reminder that influence does not always require attention.
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(FAQs)
Who is Theresa Larson Masters?
Theresa Larson Masters, also known as Terry Ventura, is the wife of former professional wrestler, actor, and Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura.
When did Theresa Larson Masters marry Jesse Ventura?
She married Jesse Ventura on 18 July 1975.
Do Theresa Larson, Master’s and Jesse Ventura have children?
Yes, they have two children, Tyrel Ventura and Jade Ventura.
What is Theresa Larson Master’s profession?
She is a private individual who has primarily focused on family life and supporting her husband’s career.
What is Theresa Larson’s Master’s estimated net worth?
Her estimated net worth is between $1 million and $2 million, with a higher combined household wealth alongside Jesse Ventura.