Linda Myers Kasem is the ex-wife of late American actor, DJ, and radio presenter, Kemal Amin “Casey” Kasem popularly known as Casey Kasem. Beside’s her marriage to Kasem who gained massive recognition for his American Top 40 and as the voice of Shaggy in the 1960s animated franchise Scooby-Doo, she had a cameo appearance in the 1980 comedy film, Up The Academy as Butch Officer 2.
Her marriage with the radio personality lasted for seven years and produced three children, Kerri, Michael, and Julie.
Linda Myers Kasem’s Bio
Linda Myers Kasem was born Linda Myers Naylor in the United States. While details regarding her early life and family background have been kept away from the media, her marriage and divorce with legendary DJ and radio personality Casey Kasem put her under the spotlight.
She married Kasem in 1972 and became the mother of his first three children; daughters Kerri Kasem, and Julie Kasem, and son, Michael “Mike” Kasem. After seven years of marriage as indicated, Linda and Kasem divorced in 1979. She cited his temper as the primary reason for the split.
Casey Kasem’s ex-wife moved on with her life after the divorce and appeared in the 1980s comedy film Up The Academy as Botch Officer 2. Since then, she has maintained a quiet life until a drama unfolded in the wake of Casey Kasem’s death.
Unknown Facts About Linda Myers Kasem
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1. Her Children Are Pursuing Careers In Showbiz
Out of Linda’s three children, two have stepped into their’s shoes in the world of showbiz.
Her oldest daughter, Kerri Kasem (52) born on July 12, 1972, is a multimedia personality, producer, and writer who has been anchoring music, talk, and entertainment programs for radio and TV for 28 years. Additionally, she has worked with radio and TV stations such as Premiere Radio Networks, ABAC, and 97.1FM TALK, and also hosted several shows for MTV USA and Asia, National Lampoon, and Sprint. Beyond TV and radio, she is the founder of the non-profit organization, Kasem Cares Foundation. It was founded in April 2014 to prevent elder abuse.
Linda’s son, Michael “Mike” Kasem,51, born on August 24, 1973, is a TV presenter, actor, and DJ. He has worked with Gold 905FM in Singapore and made his first movie appearance in 2014 in Afterimages and1965 in 2015. Mike is married to Singaporean TV personality and former golfer Su Ann Heng and shares a daughter, Casey Patrick Kasem.
While her youngest daughter, Julie Kasem maintains a low profile like her.
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2. Linda’s Ex-Husband Married Married Jean Thompson Kasem A Year After Their Split
As mentioned Linda Myers Kasem and Casey Kasem divorced in 1979 after seven years of marriage. In an interview, she said she loves him, but she opted for divorce because of his temper.
The following year, her ex-husband moved on and married 70-year-old former American actress, Jean Thompson Kasem. They remained married until his passing in 2014 at the age of 82. He died from sepsis caused by ulcerated bedsore.
3. Her Ex-Husband’s Wife Prevented Her Children From Being In Their Father’s House While He Was Alive
From the beginning, there were reports that Jean Kasem didn’t want to be involved with her three stepchildren and would rather have them stay away from their father’s mansion even when it was spacious enough to accommodate them.
The drama took a different dimension in 2013 when Casey Kasem’s aliment worsened. Jean prevented any form of contact between Linda’s three children and their father. On the first of October of the same year, Kerri, Mike, Julie, Kasem’s brother Mounir, and other family members, friends, and colleagues protested outside Kasem’s home.
4. Linda Myers Norlan’s Children Were Involved In Legal Battles With Their Stepmom
The drama in the family did not stop in demonstrations but went as far as reaching the court. Linda Kasem’s children sued Jean Kasem to have conservatorship over their father.
After his death, Kerri got an impermanent restraining order to stop Jean from cremating her father’s body to give a room for an autopsy but was informed Jean had already moved her late husband’s body and laid him to rest about six months later.
6. What Was The Possible Cause Of The Feud?
Casey Kasem is said to be worth $80-$100 million and this may likely explain the bickering in the family. His widow has accused his children and brothers of trying to put their hands on his wealth. This brings to mind the meat incident when she threw it at Kerri and uttered obscene things.
His children and brothers on the other hand have claimed she married him for his money and made sure she estranged everyone from him.
7. Who Is To Be Blamed For Her Ex-Husband’s Death?
The disagreement of the family continued as Kasem’s older children and brother sued Jean for wrongful death and for causing them emotional distress when their father and brother took ill. However, the case had no backing since it was claimed the late Kasem had proper medical care, and there was no indication he was murdered.
In December 2019, Linda’s children settled the wrongful death case against their stepmother, Jean Kasem. The settlement brought an end to years of the feud between the two parties.
