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Elaine Okamura, born in 1944 in Honolulu, Hawaii, is the former Pan Am flight attendant who married Las Vegas icon Wayne Newton in 1968. After 17 years of marriage and adopting a daughter, Erin, they divorced in 1985. Now 81, she lives privately away from public attention.
Elaine Okamura gained public recognition as the first wife of Wayne Newton, the legendary entertainer known as “Mr. Las Vegas.” But reducing her to just that title misses the fuller picture.
Born in 1944 in Honolulu, Hawaii, she came from a large family as the sixth of seven children. Before becoming part of Las Vegas history, she built her own career as a flight attendant during the glamorous era of air travel.
Now 81 years old, Elaine has maintained a private life since her 1985 divorce from Newton. Her story offers a window into what it meant to be married to one of America’s most famous entertainers during the golden age of Las Vegas.
Elaine Okamura was born in 1944 in Honolulu during a time when Hawaii was recovering and changing after World War II. The islands were still a territory then, not becoming a state until 1959.
Growing up in this multicultural environment shaped her worldview. Her family had roots in both Japan and Hawaii, with her father having moved from Japan and her mother born in Hawaii but spending part of her childhood there.
She grew up alongside her sister, Shirley Kajioka, in a household that valued family bonds. After completing her education at Kaimuki High School, she entered the world of air travel.
Her Japanese heritage and Hawaiian upbringing gave her a unique perspective. She learned the Japanese language while growing up, which became useful later in her life. This bicultural background prepared her for the diverse world she’d encounter as a flight attendant and later as a public figure in Las Vegas.
Elaine Okamura worked as a flight attendant during a time when air travel was considered exciting and glamorous. The 1960s represented the golden age of aviation, when stewardesses were considered sophisticated professionals.
She was known for her professionalism, poise, and friendly customer service, which made her stand out in her role. The job took her to destinations around the world, exposing her to different cultures and interesting people.
Traveling to many different places allowed her to meet people from various cultures and backgrounds, broadening her perspective on the world. This career also brought unexpected opportunities, including encounters with celebrities and influential figures.
Elaine’s path crossed with Wayne Newton’s while she was on a flight returning from Vietnam, where Newton had been entertaining troops. The meeting happened when both were on the same flight, creating a memorable beginning to their relationship.
They dated for about two and a half years before deciding to get married. The pair became engaged on Christmas Day in 1967.
On June 1, 1968, Elaine and Wayne married at the Little Church of the West in Las Vegas, with Elaine at 24 and Wayne at 26 years old. The couple hosted about 75 friends at a breakfast reception at the Flamingo Hotel, where Newton was scheduled to open an engagement on July 4.
Wayne’s brother Jerry served as best man, and Elaine’s sister, Shirley Kajioka, served as matron of honor. The wedding received significant media coverage, marking the start of their life as one of entertainment’s most-watched couples.
Their marriage attracted significant media attention, making them one of the most talked-about couples in the entertainment world. Life with Wayne Newton meant constant public scrutiny and adapting to the demands of his career.
During the 1970s, Newton performed primarily at the Desert Inn, the Frontier, and the Sands Hotel and Casino. His shows were especially popular because of their length, often lasting up to three hours.
Elaine lived in Las Vegas during a time when the city was really growing and changing, as the Las Vegas Strip was becoming even more famous for its big hotels, casinos, and shows. She witnessed the transformation of Vegas from a mob-influenced entertainment center to the corporate empire it would become.
Elaine played a supportive role throughout Wayne’s busy career, balancing life in the spotlight with the challenges that come from being married to a famous performer. This meant managing public appearances, social obligations, and maintaining some semblance of normal family life.
In 1976, they adopted a daughter named Erin, which added a deeper and more personal dimension to their family life amid the pressures of fame. Erin was born on July 25, 1976, though no details were available about the adoption.
For Elaine, motherhood was one of the most defining roles of her life, bringing joy and purpose that grounded her amidst the chaos of fame. She focused on providing stability for Erin despite the unusual circumstances of being the daughter of one of America’s most recognizable entertainers.
Elaine worked hard to provide a stable environment for her child, ensuring that Erin had as normal a childhood as possible. This meant shielding her from excessive media attention while Wayne’s career demanded long hours and frequent travel.
After being married for 17 years, Elaine Okamura and Wayne Newton divorced in 1985. The exact reason for their divorce remains a mystery. Like many high-profile marriages, theirs faced challenges brought on by fame and lifestyle differences.
It is widely believed that Newton’s demanding career played a significant role in the couple drifting apart. The constant travel, performances, and public attention took their toll on the relationship.
Erin moved in with her mother after the divorce. This decision allowed Elaine to focus on raising her daughter away from the intense spotlight that had defined much of their married life.
Following the divorce, Elaine chose to step away from the spotlight and live a quiet, private life, avoiding media attention and public events. This decision stood in contrast to many celebrity ex-spouses who remain in the public eye.
Unlike many celebrity ex-spouses who remain in the public eye, she opted for a private life, avoiding media attention. She was never involved in high-profile relationships after Newton, nor did she seek fame or public recognition.
The 1980s offered women more independence than previous decades, and Elaine took advantage of this to build a life on her own terms. Her choice to remain private deserves respect rather than speculation.
As of 2025, Elaine Okamura is 81 years old, and while she has maintained a private life, there is no public information suggesting that she has passed away. She continues to live away from the public eye, having successfully maintained her privacy for four decades.
Specific details about her current whereabouts or activities remain scarce, as she has chosen not to document this aspect of her life publicly. This deliberate privacy reflects her values and the life she chose after her divorce.
Her story remains intertwined with Las Vegas history through her marriage to Wayne Newton. She was there during a golden age of the city’s growth as an entertainment capital.
The facts about Elaine’s current life are limited because she values privacy. There’s no verified information about whether she remained in Las Vegas, returned to Hawaii, or settled elsewhere. What we do know is that she successfully reclaimed her life after divorce.
Wayne first crossed paths with his now-wife, civil and criminal lawyer Kathleen McCrone, during one of his performances in Las Vegas. Newton and McCrone tied the knot on April 9, 1994, at Casa de Shenandoah, his 53-acre former home.
Together, they have a daughter, Lauren Ashley Newton, who was born in 2002. Erin is Wayne’s oldest child at 42 years old.
Wayne Newton remains one of the best-known entertainers in Las Vegas and has performed there since 1958. He has performed live in front of more than 40 million people during a record-setting run of 25,000-plus shows in Las Vegas.
The contrast between Wayne’s continued public life and Elaine’s private one highlights their different choices after divorce. Both found paths that suited them.
Elaine Okamura’s story goes beyond being Wayne Newton’s first wife. Her journey, marked by personal victories, challenges, and choices, illustrates the intricate balance between public attention and private life.
From her days as a Pan Am flight attendant to her years as a Las Vegas power couple wife, to her decades of chosen privacy, she navigated each phase with grace. She is admired for her resilience and grace in managing life beyond fame.
Her decision to step away from fame and focus on her daughter and herself reflects strength rather than retreat. In an age where everyone seeks attention, her choice to live quietly stands out.
