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Ka Ho Cho is the fourth and final wife of comedian Redd Foxx, known for his role as Fred Sanford on the hit NBC sitcom Sanford and Son. They married in 1991, just three months before his sudden death. This guide covers her full story.
Quick Profile Summary
Ka Ho Cho’s Biography and Early Life
Ka Ho Cho (also commonly written as Ka Ha Cho) was born in 1959 in Seoul, South Korea — the vibrant capital city of a nation that was rapidly modernizing during the post-Korean War era. While very little is publicly known about her family background, childhood, or educational history, what is confirmed is that she is of South Korean nationality and Asian ethnicity, with her religious background identified as Christianity.
Growing up in Seoul during the 1960s and 1970s, Ka Ho Cho came of age during a transformative period in South Korean history. The country was undergoing rapid economic development under what historians call the “Miracle on the Han River” — a period of explosive industrial growth that transformed South Korea from one of the world’s poorest nations into a major Asian economic power. This context is important because it helps explain the world Ka Ho Cho grew up in before she eventually found herself connected to one of America’s most famous comedians.
Her exact date of birth (month and day) has never been publicly confirmed, and details about her parents, siblings, and early education remain entirely private. This level of anonymity is not unusual for someone who entered the public consciousness only through a brief marriage to a celebrity — and who has chosen to remain private ever since.
How Ka Ho Cho Met Redd Foxx
The story of how Ka Ho Cho met Redd Foxx is set against the glittering backdrop of Las Vegas, Nevada — the entertainment capital of the world and a city that was central to Redd Foxx’s career for decades. According to multiple biographical sources, the two met at Bally’s Hotel and Casino (now Horseshoe Las Vegas) on the famous Las Vegas Strip.
Redd Foxx had a long and storied history with Las Vegas. He had been performing in the city’s showrooms and casinos since the 1950s, becoming one of the top headlining acts in a city that was known for its world-class entertainment. His stand-up comedy shows — known for their adult humor and uncensored delivery — packed venues across the Strip and made him a household name long before his television career.
The exact nature of their initial meeting is not well-documented. What is known is that their connection developed quickly, and despite a significant age gap — Foxx was 68 years old while Ka Ho Cho was approximately 32 — the relationship progressed rapidly toward marriage.
Marriage to Redd Foxx (July 1991)
Ka Ho Cho and Redd Foxx married in July 1991, making her his fourth wife. The marriage took place during one of the most tumultuous periods of Foxx’s life — he was dealing with severe financial problems, IRS tax debt, and the pressure of launching a new television series.
At the time of their wedding, Foxx was preparing to star in The Royal Family, a new CBS sitcom created by Eddie Murphy‘s production company. The show was seen as a potential career comeback — a return to the kind of family-oriented television comedy that had made him famous with Sanford and Son nearly two decades earlier.
The marriage represented Foxx’s fourth attempt at marital happiness. By all accounts, Ka Ho Cho brought a sense of calm and companionship to his life during an extremely stressful period. However, their time together would prove to be tragically short.
Who Was Redd Foxx? A Complete Overview
To fully understand Ka Ho Cho’s story, it is essential to know the man she married. Redd Foxx — born John Elroy Sanford on December 9, 1922, in St. Louis, Missouri — was one of the most influential comedians in American entertainment history.
Foxx’s career was revolutionary. He was among the first African-American comedians to perform for racially integrated audiences. His comedy albums — often recorded live and filled with explicit adult humor — sold millions of copies and earned him the title “King of the Party Records.” He directly influenced generations of comedians including Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, and Dave Chappelle.
His most iconic role was Fred G. Sanford in Sanford and Son, which ran on NBC from 1972 to 1977. The show — based on the British sitcom Steptoe and Son — was a massive hit, consistently ranking among the top television programs in the United States. Foxx’s portrayal of the cantankerous junk dealer became one of the most beloved characters in American television history.
Redd Foxx’s Four Marriages: A Complete Timeline
Redd Foxx was married four times throughout his life. Each marriage reflected a different chapter of his personal and professional journey:
Betty Jean Harris was arguably the most significant of Foxx’s wives in terms of their shared history. They were together for 18 years, and Betty managed much of Foxx’s business affairs. She brought her daughter Debraca Denise into the marriage, whom Foxx adopted as his own — making Debraca his only child, though not biological. Their divorce in 1974 was reportedly caused by Foxx’s infidelity.
Notably, both Foxx’s third wife (Joi Yun Chi Chung) and fourth wife (Ka Ho Cho) were of Asian descent — suggesting a personal pattern in Foxx’s romantic relationships during the later decades of his life.
Redd Foxx’s Financial Troubles and IRS Debt
One of the most important aspects of Ka Ho Cho’s story is the financial situation she inherited through her marriage to Redd Foxx. Despite earning millions throughout his career, Foxx was notorious for his spending habits and financial mismanagement.
In 1989, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) seized Foxx’s home and personal possessions — including furniture, clothing, and memorabilia — to satisfy approximately $2.9 million in unpaid federal taxes. The public spectacle of IRS agents removing belongings from his Las Vegas home became one of the most widely reported celebrity financial stories of the era.
By the time Foxx married Ka Ho Cho in 1991, his financial situation was dire. His net worth at the time of his death was estimated at negative $3.5 million — meaning he owed significantly more than he owned. This financial reality meant that Ka Ho Cho, as his widow, inherited not wealth but debt.
The Tragic Death of Redd Foxx (October 11, 1991)
Redd Foxx died on October 11, 1991, during a rehearsal for The Royal Family at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California. He suffered a massive heart attack on set and collapsed in front of cast and crew members, including co-star Della Reese.
In a tragic irony that has been noted by entertainment historians for decades, Foxx’s most famous comedy bit on Sanford and Son involved his character Fred Sanford faking heart attacks — clutching his chest and crying out “This is the big one!” and “I’m comin’, Elizabeth!” When Foxx collapsed during rehearsal, several people on set initially thought he was performing one of his trademark fake heart attack routines. By the time it became clear that this was a real medical emergency, precious minutes had been lost.
He was rushed to Queen of Angels Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at the age of 68. Ka Ho Cho had been his wife for approximately three months.
Where Is Ka Ho Cho Today?
Since Redd Foxx’s death in 1991, Ka Ho Cho has maintained virtually complete privacy. She has not given interviews, made public appearances, or engaged with media in any documented capacity for more than three decades.
Multiple sources suggest that she returned to South Korea after Foxx’s death, though this has never been officially confirmed. Given the financial situation she faced — inheriting debt rather than assets — returning to her home country would have been a practical decision.
What makes her disappearance from public life especially notable is the contrast with Foxx’s enormous cultural legacy. Sanford and Son continues to air in syndication. Redd Foxx is regularly cited in lists of the greatest comedians of all time. His influence on African-American comedy is considered foundational. Yet his final wife has chosen to remain entirely invisible.
As of 2026, Ka Ho Cho would be approximately 67 years old. There are no confirmed reports of her death, no verified social media accounts, and no public records that provide details about her current life. She remains one of the most private figures ever connected to a major American entertainment icon.
Redd Foxx’s Children and Family Legacy
Redd Foxx did not have any biological children. However, through his second marriage to Betty Jean Harris, he adopted her daughter Debraca Denise, who became his only child. Debraca has largely stayed out of the public spotlight but is confirmed to still be alive.
The absence of biological children means that Foxx’s family legacy is carried primarily through his cultural impact rather than through descendants. His comedy albums, television recordings, and the memories of audiences who saw him perform live remain the primary vehicles through which his legacy endures.
Ka Ho Cho’s Legacy and Cultural Significance
Ka Ho Cho’s place in entertainment history is defined by a single, brief chapter — her three-month marriage to one of America’s most beloved comedians. Yet her story raises important questions about the experiences of people who enter the public consciousness through brief connections to fame and then choose to walk away entirely.
Her decision to maintain complete privacy for more than three decades is remarkable in its consistency. In modern times — when even distant connections to famous people are routinely monetized through memoir deals, podcast appearances, and social media — Ka Ho Cho’s silence stands as a statement about the value of personal privacy.
Conclusion
Ka Ho Cho’s life story is ultimately one of brief connection, sudden loss, and sustained privacy. She entered the public record as the fourth wife of Redd Foxx — a comedy legend whose influence shaped American entertainment for decades. Their marriage lasted only three months before his tragic death on October 11, 1991, leaving her a widow at approximately 32 years old.
Since then, she has chosen to live entirely outside the public eye — a decision that has lasted more than 34 years and counting. Her story serves as a quiet counterpoint to the loud, larger-than-life world of Redd Foxx — and a reminder that not every story connected to fame needs to be told publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ka Ho Cho (also spelled Ka Ha Cho) is a South Korean woman born in 1959 in Seoul. She is best known as the fourth and final wife of comedian Redd Foxx. They married in July 1991 and were together for only three months before Foxx died of a heart attack on October 11, 1991.
Redd Foxx died of a massive heart attack on October 11, 1991, during a rehearsal for the CBS sitcom The Royal Family at Paramount Studios. Cast members initially thought he was performing his famous fake heart attack routine from Sanford and Son. He was 68 years old.
Ka Ho Cho has maintained complete privacy since Redd Foxx’s death in 1991. Multiple sources suggest she returned to South Korea. As of 2026, she would be approximately 67 years old. There are no verified social media accounts or public records about her current life.
Redd Foxx was married four times: Evelyn Killebrew (1948–1951), Betty Jean Harris (1956–1974), Joi Yun Chi Chung (1976–1979), and Ka Ho Cho (July–October 1991).
Redd Foxx had no biological children. He adopted Debraca Denise, the daughter of his second wife Betty Jean Harris. Debraca is confirmed to still be alive.
No. Jamie Foxx (born Eric Marlon Bishop) and Redd Foxx (born John Elroy Sanford) are not related. Jamie chose his stage name as a tribute to Redd Foxx and other female comedians, not because of any family connection.
At the time of his death, Redd Foxx’s net worth was estimated at negative $3.5 million. Despite earning millions throughout his career, he accumulated massive debt — including approximately $2.9 million owed to the IRS in unpaid taxes.
Redd Foxx’s birth name was John Elroy Sanford. He chose the stage name “Redd Foxx” early in his career — “Redd” from his red hair and “Foxx” inspired by baseball player Jimmie Foxx.
He was rehearsing for The Royal Family, a CBS sitcom produced by Eddie Murphy’s production company. The show co-starred Della Reese and was intended as a comeback vehicle for Foxx.
They were married for approximately three months — from July 1991 to Redd Foxx’s death on October 11, 1991. They met at Bally’s Hotel in Las Vegas.
References & Sources
This article has been fact-checked and verified against multiple public sources, financial disclosures, SEC filings, Forbes reports, Celebrity Net Worth databases, and official records. All net worth estimates are based on publicly available information and financial analysis.
