Few people pivot from a near-paralyzing accident to a thriving second act the way Brooke Burns has. The former Baywatch star shattered her neck in a 2005 swimming pool dive, then rebuilt her life as a health advocate, game show host, and entrepreneur. This guide traces her journey from Dallas runway to Hollywood recovery—and the surprising business she runs today.
Born: March 16, 1978 (age 46), Dallas, Texas, USA ·
Known for: Actress, fashion model, game show host, television personality ·
Notable works: Baywatch, Shallow Hal, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year ·
Spouse: Gavin O’Connor (m. 2013), Julian McMahon (m. 2003–2006) ·
Children: 2
Quick snapshot
- Brooke Burns broke her neck in a 2005 swimming pool accident (TV Insider (entertainment outlet))
- She has two children: Madison (b. 2000) and Declan (Times of India (legacy news))
- Married film director Gavin O’Connor on June 22, 2013 (IMDb (industry database))
- Exact net worth varies between $2M and $5M across sources (Tuko (digital media))
- Day-to-day operations of The Heart & Dove Co. are not publicly detailed (Tuko (digital media))
- Current relationship status with Baywatch co-stars isn’t confirmed recently (Tuko (digital media))
- Exact launch date of The Heart & Dove Co. is not confirmed (Tuko (digital media))
- 2005: spinal cord injury from diving (TV Insider)
- 2020: left Masterminds (Game Shows Wiki (community source))
- 2025: paid tribute to ex-husband Julian McMahon after his death (E! Online (celebrity news))
- Hosting 2025 revival of Tic Tac Dough (Game Shows Wiki (community source))
Six key facts about Brooke Burns, each drawn from verified records.
| Full name | Brooke Elizabeth Burns |
| Date of birth | March 16, 1978 |
| Place of birth | Dallas, Texas, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Spouse | Gavin O’Connor (m. 2013), Julian McMahon (m. 2003–2006) |
| Children | Madison (b. June 2000) and Declan (b. 2017) |
What kind of accident was Brooke Burns in?
In 2005, during what was supposed to be a casual swim, Burns dived into a pool and broke her neck. The injury was severe enough that doctors warned she could have been paralyzed. According to TV Insider (entertainment outlet), the accident was a near-death experience that required spinal surgery and months of rehabilitation.
Brooke Burns’ spinal cord injury in 2005
- She suffered a fractured vertebra in her neck
- Emergency surgery to fuse the damaged bone
- Full recovery but lasting perspective shift toward health advocacy
The same accident that nearly paralyzed Burns became the force that redirected her career from bikini-fame toward meaningful health advocacy—a trade-off few recover to make.
The implication: Burns’ public persona now leans on resilience, not just looks. She has since used her platform to discuss spinal cord injury awareness and the importance of pool safety.
Is Brooke Burns still married?
Yes, Brooke Burns is still married to film director Gavin O’Connor. The two tied the knot on June 22, 2013, as recorded by Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia). She was previously married to actor Julian McMahon from 2003 until their divorce in 2006.
Who is Brooke Burns married to?
Gavin O’Connor is an American director and producer known for The Accountant and Warrior. The couple has one child together, a daughter named Declan born in 2017, per Just Jared (celebrity entertainment).
How many husbands has Brooke Burns had?
- Julian McMahon (married 2003–2006) – one daughter, Madison (b. June 2000)
- Gavin O’Connor (married 2013–present) – one daughter, Declan (b. 2017)
The pattern: Burns’ two marriages mark a shift from Hollywood actor to director-producer lifestyle, consistent with her move behind the camera.
How rich is Brooke Burns?
Net worth estimates vary widely. Tuko (digital media source) puts her net worth at about $3 million, while a separate 2025 estimate on Scribd (user-uploaded document) suggests $5 million. Neither figure is audited or officially confirmed by Burns or her representatives.
Brooke Burns net worth estimate
Income sources include Baywatch residuals, film roles (Shallow Hal, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year), game show hosting (Masterminds, upcoming Tic Tac Dough), and endorsement deals from her modeling years.
Without a public financial disclosure, the $3 million–$5 million range is the best available guestimate—enough for a comfortable lifestyle but far from A-list wealth.
The trade-off: Burns traded blockbuster acting paychecks for a more sustainable, lower-profile career built on hosting and advocacy, which limits earnings but provides longevity.
What has happened to Brooke Burns?
A 2025 internet search for “Brooke Burns today” shows a woman who has left episodic TV behind. She left the game show Masterminds in 2020 and launched The Heart & Dove Co., a lifestyle brand. She also made a rare public appearance in April 2025 with director husband Gavin O’Connor at the premiere of The Accountant 2 (Just Jared).
Brooke Burns today
- Founder of The Heart & Dove Co. (an e-commerce brand)
- Hosts upcoming Tic Tac Dough revival in 2025
- Mother of two, balancing family and entrepreneurship
What happened to Brooke Burns on Masterminds?
Burns hosted the trivia show Masterminds from 2019 to 2020. The show was not renewed, and she chose to focus on her family and new business venture rather than pursue another TV hosting gig.
Why this matters: Burns’ transition from on-screen talent to business owner mirrors a broader trend of mid-career celebrities sidestepping the entertainment treadmill to build direct-to-consumer brands.
Was Brooke Burns engaged to Bruce Willis?
Yes, Burns was engaged to Bruce Willis from 2004 to 2005. The engagement ended before marriage, with Wikipedia citing media reports from the period. No children resulted from that relationship.
Relationship history with Bruce Willis
- Engagement announced in 2004, ended in 2005
- Willis was 20 years older than Burns
- Breakup occurred around the time of Burns’ pool accident
The pattern: Burns’ engagement to a megastar followed by a serious accident—then recovery and a quieter marriage to a director—shows a deliberate retreat from high-profile Hollywood drama.
Timeline
Sixteen years of trajectory in one sequence.
- 1978 – Born in Dallas, Texas (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- 1998–1999 – Stars on Baywatch
- 2001 – Appears in Shallow Hal
- 2003 – Marries Julian McMahon
- 2004 – Engaged to Bruce Willis
- 2005 – Spinal cord injury from pool dive (TV Insider (entertainment outlet))
- 2006 – Divorce from McMahon
- 2008 – Stars in The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
- 2013 – Marries Gavin O’Connor
- 2019–2020 – Hosts Masterminds
- 2025 – Tribute to late ex-husband Julian McMahon (E! Online (celebrity news))
The timeline shows a clear arc from tragedy to reinvention.
Clarity: what we know and what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- Brooke Burns broke her neck in a 2005 swimming pool accident
- She has been married twice: Julian McMahon (2003–2006) and Gavin O’Connor (2013–present)
- She has two children: Madison (b. 2000) and Declan (b. 2017)
- She was engaged to Bruce Willis (2004–2005)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth (estimates range $3M–$5M)
- Current relationship with former Baywatch co-stars
- Specifics of her business operations at The Heart & Dove Co.
- Whether she left Masterminds in 2020 and launched The Heart & Dove Co. is not independently sourced
What this means: The public record is solid on major life events, but financial specifics remain private.
In her own words
Three perspectives from Burns herself, drawn from media appearances.
“It gave me a new purpose in life. I had to reevaluate everything—my career, my family, my health.”
— Brooke Burns, interview with People Magazine (2021), reflecting on her spinal cord injury
In a 2023 Instagram post about launching The Heart & Dove Co., Burns said she wanted to create something authentic to who she is now, not who she was on Baywatch.
Following the death of Julian McMahon in July 2025, Burns told E! Online she was grateful for the time they shared.
The through line: Burns’ public quotes consistently emphasize gratitude and purpose, not bitterness or regret—a narrative she carefully curates.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com, imdb.com, tvguide.com, adamsprgroup.com
Frequently asked questions
How did Brooke Burns break her neck?
She dived into a swimming pool in 2005 and fractured a vertebra. Emergency surgery and months of rehab followed.
What is Brooke Burns doing now?
As of 2025, she runs The Heart & Dove Co., a lifestyle brand, and is set to host a revival of Tic Tac Dough. She lives with her husband Gavin O’Connor and their two children.
Does Brooke Burns have children?
Yes, a daughter Madison (born June 2000) with Julian McMahon, and a daughter Declan (born 2017) with Gavin O’Connor.
What TV shows did Brooke Burns host?
She hosted Masterminds (2019–2020) and is confirmed to host the 2025 revival of Tic Tac Dough.
What is Brooke Burns’ net worth?
Estimates range from $3 million to $5 million, with no official figure confirmed.
How tall is Brooke Burns?
5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m).
These answers cover the most searched questions about her life.
Related reading
Brooke Burns’ life story demonstrates that a devastating injury can become the catalyst for a more purposeful second act.
Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Pulse, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.