Bruce Hasselberg: Life, Career, and Connection to Loni Anderson

Bruce Hasselberg may not be a household name like his former wife, actress Loni Anderson, yet his story carries layers of civic prominence, professional ambition, and personal anecdotes that shed light on a bygone era. Known as Anderson’s first husband, Bruce was more than a mere footnote in Hollywood history—he was a Minnesota Navy veteran, real estate executive, and political candidate with deep family roots in Bloomington. This blog explores his life in full detail: from his upbringing and career to his short-lived but historically significant marriage to the star.

Early Life and Family Background

Bruce D. Hasselberg was born on May 3, 1939, in Hennepin County, Minnesota. He grew up in Bloomington, a city shaped significantly by his family’s influence. His father, Donald R. Hasselberg, served as the mayor of Bloomington, placing Bruce in a family deeply woven into the civic fabric of the region. This environment of public service and community engagement likely influenced his later ventures into both business and politics.

Bruce’s family ties remained important throughout his life. Even after his separation from Loni Anderson, stories note that Loni attended the 90th birthday celebration of Bruce’s mother, Phyllis Hasselberg, in 2008. This demonstrates the enduring respect and cordiality maintained between the two families long after their brief marriage ended.

Military Service

Before embarking on his professional career, Bruce served in the United States Navy, where he achieved the rank of Petty Officer. His service highlights a sense of duty and discipline that paralleled his later endeavors in real estate and politics. The Navy years gave him both structure and credibility, something that would resonate with voters when he entered the political arena in Minnesota.

Professional Career in Real Estate

Following his military service, Bruce turned his focus to business. He built a career in industrial and commercial real estate, rising to the position of Senior Vice President at Premier Realty Co. in Minneapolis. His role positioned him at the center of real estate development during a period of economic growth in Minnesota.

At Premier Realty, Bruce specialized in large-scale real estate transactions, industrial projects, and commercial expansions. His executive title reflects not only his professional credibility but also his ability to operate in high-level negotiations—a skillset that would naturally carry over into political campaigning.

Political Ambitions: A Run for Statewide Office

Bruce Hasselberg’s public profile expanded significantly when he entered politics. In 1966, he ran in the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota. Although he was relatively young at the time, his family’s political background and his professional credentials gave his candidacy weight.

In the primary election, Bruce earned 65,964 votes, which translated to 24.37% of the ballots cast. While he did not secure the nomination, his statewide campaign reflected both ambition and recognition. For someone not yet 30 years old, making a serious run for a constitutional office was itself an impressive achievement. His candidacy illustrated the intersection of family legacy, civic duty, and youthful ambition.

Marriage to Loni Anderson

Perhaps the most widely discussed aspect of Bruce’s life is his brief marriage to Loni Anderson, who would later rise to fame as a television star in the 1970s and 1980s.

The couple married on July 10, 1964, in Minnehaha County, South Dakota. At the time, Loni was just beginning her journey in the spotlight, having participated in the Miss Minnesota beauty pageant. Their marriage was rooted in youthful optimism and ambition. In fact, Bruce once recalled that he proposed to Loni on their very first date, a gesture that reflected the whirlwind nature of their relationship.

Together, they welcomed a daughter, Deidra Hoffman. However, the marriage was short-lived, ending in 1966 after just two years. Despite the brevity of their union, this chapter of Bruce’s life remains significant because it marked the beginning of Loni’s family story and brought Deidra into the world.

Fatherhood and Relationship with Deidra

Following his divorce from Anderson, Bruce remained part of his daughter Deidra’s life. Deidra grew up to become a school administrator in California, known for her professional contributions to education. Sadly, she later retired after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a condition that added challenges to her life.

Bruce’s relationship with Deidra has been described in affectionate terms, with anecdotes revealing his pride in her career achievements. Even decades after his separation from Loni, Bruce was quoted in interviews reflecting on his daughter’s journey and the ways he tried to be present in her life.

Later Years and Personal Anecdotes

Although Bruce did not achieve political office, he remained active in both professional and personal spheres. Friends and media accounts describe him as a man with a colorful personality who enjoyed karaoke in his later years, often performing at local venues.

He also shared candid reflections about his past marriage. In a 2015 interview, Bruce recalled that Loni once asked him to stop sending child support checks because she had become financially secure from her role on WKRP in Cincinnati. These personal recollections provide a glimpse into the cordial, if complicated, post-divorce dynamics between the two.

Legacy and Public Perception

While Bruce Hasselberg’s life did not carry the fame of Hollywood, his story is valuable in understanding the broader narrative of Loni Anderson’s life and the Minnesota civic environment of the 1960s. He was:

• A Navy veteran who served with discipline.
• A real estate executive who reached a senior leadership role.
• A political candidate who sought statewide office.
• A family man who became the father of Loni Anderson’s daughter.

His legacy lies at the intersection of local politics, professional success, and personal connections to one of America’s iconic television actresses.

Conclusion

Bruce Hasselberg’s life story illustrates the multidimensional nature of public and private identities. He was more than just Loni Anderson’s first husband; he was a military veteran, a real estate leader, and a political hopeful who carried forward a strong family tradition in Minnesota. His brief marriage to Loni Anderson may forever tie his name to Hollywood history, but his own accomplishments—rooted in business, service, and community—stand on their own.

Through family, career, and public service, Bruce represents a chapter of mid-20th-century American life that blends ambition, civic pride, and personal resilience.