Noelene Edwards was born in Sydney, Australia, during the 1940s. Though she did not grow up in the spotlight, her life would later become intertwined with one of the most recognized names in Australian entertainment — Paul Hogan, the man behind the legendary character “Crocodile Dundee.” Before meeting Hogan, Noelene led a quiet and modest life. Her early years were spent in a traditional Australian household, where values like family, loyalty, and hard work shaped her personality.

Not much is publicly known about her education or early career because she maintained a private lifestyle before fame found her through her marriage. However, those who knew her describe Noelene as a warm, caring, and resilient woman who valued her relationships deeply. These traits would later play a significant role in how she handled her marriage, its challenges, and the public scrutiny that followed.

Quick Bio

Meeting Paul Hogan: The Beginning of a Love Story

Noelene Edwards met Paul Hogan long before he became a global celebrity. At the time, Paul was working as a painter on the Sydney Harbour Bridge — far from the fame he would later achieve. Their romance began in the 1950s, and the two quickly developed a deep connection grounded in simple, working-class values.

They married in 1958, when both were quite young. Their union symbolized the classic Australian love story — two ordinary people navigating life’s ups and downs together. During their early years, they lived modestly, raising a family and supporting each other as Paul’s career began to take off. Noelene played a vital role in supporting Paul’s ambitions, even when they seemed far-fetched.

Family Life and the Rise of Fame

As Paul Hogan’s career gained momentum in the 1970s through his comedy sketches on The Paul Hogan Show, the dynamics of their marriage began to change. Fame brought financial stability but also new pressures and temptations. The couple had five children together, including Brett Hogan, who would later follow in his father’s footsteps in the entertainment industry as a writer and actor.

Noelene, on the other hand, preferred to stay away from the spotlight. She devoted herself to raising their children and managing their household while Paul was busy building his career. This contrast in lifestyles often created distance between them. While Paul was surrounded by cameras, fans, and co-stars, Noelene remained anchored in their private life — an anchor that Paul may have begun to drift away from as fame consumed him.

Despite the challenges, Noelene stood by him during his rise. Her commitment and loyalty were evident, but as Paul’s fame exploded internationally, their relationship began to crumble under the strain.

The First Divorce: When Fame Tested Love

By the early 1980s, Paul Hogan had become a household name in Australia and beyond. However, success came at a cost. Rumors of marital problems began circulating, and in 1981, after more than two decades together, Noelene and Paul divorced for the first time.

Their split was described as painful but civil. Friends of the couple said that Noelene had grown increasingly unhappy with Paul’s absence and the changes fame brought into their lives. The pressures of celebrity life were difficult to reconcile with the simplicity that had once bonded them. The first divorce marked the end of an era — the closing chapter of what many thought was an unbreakable partnership.

But as fate would have it, their story was not over yet.

The Second Marriage: A Surprising Reconciliation

In an unexpected turn of events, Noelene Edwards and Paul Hogan remarried in 1982, just one year after their divorce. Their reconciliation surprised many fans and friends, who believed that the pair had already moved on. However, their renewed marriage reflected something deeper — a shared history, a lingering affection, and perhaps an attempt to rebuild what fame had fractured.

During this period, Paul was on the brink of international stardom thanks to Crocodile Dundee, which would later become one of the most successful Australian films ever made. Noelene once again found herself drawn into the world of fame, this time with even greater intensity. Their second marriage symbolized both hope and nostalgia — an attempt to recapture the closeness they had lost amid Paul’s growing celebrity.

Unfortunately, the pressures that tore them apart the first time did not disappear. In fact, they intensified as Paul’s fame skyrocketed worldwide.

The Second Divorce: The End of an Era

By 1986, just four years after their remarriage, Noelene and Paul Hogan divorced for the second and final time. This time, the split was far more public and emotionally charged. The reason behind the second divorce was widely believed to be Paul’s relationship with his Crocodile Dundee co-star, Linda Kozlowski.

Reports suggested that Paul had developed a close bond with Kozlowski during the filming of the movie, which eventually turned romantic. The public was quick to speculate that the on-screen chemistry between Hogan and Kozlowski had spilled over into real life. For Noelene, this was a heartbreaking end to a long and complex love story that had defined much of her adult life.

The divorce settlement was one of the most talked-about in Australia at the time. After the split, Paul went on to marry Linda Kozlowski in 1990, while Noelene chose to retreat from the limelight entirely.

Life After Paul Hogan

After her second divorce, Noelene Edwards chose a life of privacy. Unlike many celebrity ex-spouses who pursue media attention, Noelene completely distanced herself from fame. She focused on her family, her children, and rebuilding her personal happiness away from the glare of publicity.

In 2000, Noelene married Reg Stretton, a businessman, marking a fresh start after decades of being known primarily as Paul Hogan’s wife. This marriage proved stable and peaceful, a welcome contrast to the turbulence of her earlier years. Together, Noelene and Reg have enjoyed a private, content life, free from the pressures of Hollywood.

Her story is one of resilience and quiet strength — a woman who endured heartbreak, public scrutiny, and life alongside one of Australia’s biggest stars, only to find her own happiness on her terms.

The Legacy of Noelene Edwards

Although Noelene Edwards was never a public figure in the traditional sense, her life story has become an integral part of Australian pop culture history. Through her, the world gained insight into the private side of fame — how the demands of stardom can strain even the deepest bonds.

Her name remains linked to Paul Hogan’s legacy, yet Noelene’s story stands independently as a testament to endurance, dignity, and self-respect. Her decision to step away from fame and live privately after her second marriage reflects her desire for peace and normalcy, something she couldn’t fully enjoy during her years with Paul.

Today, Noelene is remembered not just as Paul Hogan’s ex-wife but as a woman who lived through the complexities of love, fame, and loss — and emerged stronger for it.

Lessons from Noelene Edwards’ Life

Noelene Edwards’ journey offers profound lessons about love, forgiveness, and personal growth. Her willingness to give Paul a second chance demonstrates her faith in love, while her eventual decision to move on highlights her strength and self-worth.

Her story reminds us that relationships, no matter how iconic or romantic they seem, are not immune to the challenges of fame, ambition, and change. In an era where celebrity relationships are often glamorized, Noelene’s life shows the importance of authenticity, patience, and emotional independence.

More than anything, her life underscores that happiness does not depend on fame or status — but on peace of mind and the ability to create a meaningful life beyond past heartbreaks.

Conclusion

The relationship between Paul Hogan and Noelene Edwards was one of passion, struggle, and deep emotional connection. They married twice and divorced twice, a rare and fascinating cycle that reflected both their enduring love and their inability to sustain it under the pressures of fame.

For Noelene Edwards, life after Paul Hogan was not about bitterness or revenge but about rediscovering herself. She moved forward gracefully, away from the public eye, proving that even the most turbulent love stories can end with peace and dignity. Her story remains a poignant chapter in the larger narrative of Australian entertainment history — a tale of love lost and lessons learned.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Noelene Edwards?

• Noelene Edwards is an Australian woman best known as the first and second wife of actor Paul Hogan, star of Crocodile Dundee.

2. How many times did Paul Hogan and Noelene Edwards marry each other?

• They married twice — first in 1958 and then again in 1982 after a brief divorce.

3. Why did Noelene Edwards and Paul Hogan divorce?

• Their second divorce in 1986 was reportedly due to Paul Hogan’s growing closeness with his Crocodile Dundee co-star, Linda Kozlowski.

4. Did Noelene Edwards remarry after Paul Hogan?

• Yes, she married Reg Stretton in 2000 and has been living a private life since then.

5. How many children do Noelene Edwards and Paul Hogan have?

• The couple share five children together, including Brett Hogan, who became a screenwriter and actor.