Shawn Southwick is an American actress, singer, and television producer best known for being the seventh and final wife of legendary broadcaster Larry King. Long before she became a household name through her marriage, Shawn built a career of her own in Hollywood, appearing in popular television shows and working as a professional backup singer. Her life story blends showbiz glamour, family drama, and a very public legal battle that continues to make headlines today.
This article takes a deep dive into Shawn Southwick’s early life, career, marriage to Larry King, children, net worth, and the ongoing legal disputes surrounding King’s estate. If you have ever wondered who the woman behind one of broadcasting’s most iconic figures really is, this comprehensive biography answers every question.
Who Is Shawn Southwick?
Shawn Southwick, born Shawn Ora Engemann, is widely recognized as an actress, singer, and TV personality who spent decades in the entertainment industry before and after marrying Larry King. She is often referred to online as Shawn Southwick King following her marriage. While she never reached A-list fame on her own, she carved a steady career as a working performer, appearing in television dramas, sitcoms, and voice-acting projects throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Today, she is most recognized for her decades-long relationship with King and the very public legal proceedings that followed his death in 2021.
Early Life and Family Background
Shawn Southwick was born on November 5, 1959, in Studio City, California. She grew up in a household deeply embedded in the entertainment industry. Her father, Karl Engemann, worked as a Vice President of Artist & Repertoire at Capitol Records and later became Marie Osmond’s manager for 35 years. Her mother, Gerri Engemann, was a respected studio singer who worked with icons like Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan. Growing up surrounded by musicians and producers gave Shawn an early appreciation for performance, and it wasn’t long before she followed her parents into show business herself.
Education at Brigham Young University
Before pursuing acting full-time, Shawn Southwick attended North Hollywood High School and later enrolled at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Her time at BYU connected her closely to Utah, a state she remains associated with even today. This link to Utah is also tied to her family, since her brother Bret Engemann played quarterback for the BYU Cougars football team. Her education gave her a strong foundation, and after graduating, she moved back toward Los Angeles to pursue opportunities in music and television full-time.
Shawn Southwick’s Career as a Singer
Long before her television roles, Shawn Southwick built a name for herself as a backup singer. She performed studio and live vocals for well-known artists, most notably serving as a backup singer for Marie Osmond, a connection likely strengthened by her father’s professional relationship with the Osmond family. Her musical background later blended into a passion for country music, which she pursued alongside her acting career. While she never became a mainstream recording artist, her musical talent added another dimension to her entertainment resume and helped her build valuable industry connections early in her career.
Breaking Into Television Acting
Shawn Southwick‘s acting career took off in the early 1980s. She appeared in several popular television series, gaining recognition for guest roles rather than leading parts. Notable credits include appearances in “Knight Rider” (1982), where she played dual roles of Lonnie and Rita Wilcox, and “Days of Our Lives” (1984), where she portrayed the character Doreen. She also appeared in other well-known shows of the era, including “Who’s the Boss?” and “Remington Steele.” These roles established her as a recognizable face on American television throughout the decade.
Hosting “Hollywood Insider”
One of Shawn Southwick’s most defining career achievements came when she became the host of USA Network’s “Hollywood Insider” from 1990 to 1996. This entertainment news program allowed her to interview celebrities and cover the biggest stories in Hollywood, significantly raising her public profile. Hosting the show for six consecutive years demonstrated her versatility beyond acting, proving she could thrive in front of the camera as a presenter as well as a performer. This role is often cited as the peak of her independent television career before her personal life became the primary focus of media attention.
Voice Acting and Later Roles
In addition to live-action work, Shawn Southwick lent her voice to popular animated series, including “Gravity Falls” and “Arthur.” Voice acting allowed her to remain active in the entertainment industry even as her on-screen appearances slowed down. Over the course of her career, she appeared in roughly 17 television series and seven films, according to entertainment biographers. While she never became a household name through acting alone, her consistent presence across multiple genres of entertainment reflects a genuine, sustained career in Hollywood spanning several decades.
First Marriage to Daniel Southwick
Before marrying Larry King, Shawn Southwick was previously married to Daniel Southwick, a professional football player, whom she wed on October 24, 1980. The couple had one son together, Danny Southwick, who also went on to become a professional football player. This marriage is where Shawn’s well-known surname, “Southwick,” originates. Although the marriage eventually ended, it remained a meaningful chapter in her life, and her connection to the Southwick name has stuck with her throughout her career, even decades after her more famous marriage to King.
Meeting and Marrying Larry King
Shawn Southwick married Larry King on September 5, 1997, becoming his seventh wife. Interestingly, the wedding reportedly took place in a hospital room just before King underwent surgery to clear a clogged blood vessel. At the time, Shawn was 37 years old, while King was 63. Their union instantly attracted media attention given King’s massive fame as the host of “Larry King Live” on CNN, one of the most-watched talk shows in television history. This marriage would go on to become the longest of King’s eight marriages, lasting over two decades.
Children: Chance and Cannon King
Shawn Southwick and Larry King welcomed two sons during their marriage. Their first son, Chance Armstrong King, was born on March 9, 1999, followed by their second son, Cannon Edward King, born on May 22, 2000. Both sons were raised primarily by Shawn, especially as their parents’ relationship faced increasing turbulence in later years. The couple’s shared parenting responsibilities were often highlighted in tabloid coverage, particularly during their divorce proceedings, as both parents sought custody arrangements for their two boys throughout the legal process.
The 2010 Divorce Filing and Reconciliation
In April 2010, Larry King filed for divorce from Shawn Southwick, citing “irreconcilable differences,” marking what would have been his eighth divorce. Shawn quickly filed her own petition seeking primary custody and spousal support. However, rather than finalizing the split, the couple reconciled and remained married for nearly another decade. This reconciliation surprised many observers given reports of ongoing tension, including alleged infidelity on both sides that had circulated in gossip media. Their decision to stay together highlighted the complicated, long-term nature of their relationship despite repeated public difficulties.
The Final Separation in 2019
The marriage between Shawn Southwick and Larry King ultimately came to an end when King filed for divorce again in August 2019, with the official date of separation listed as June 6, 2019. Sources close to the couple suggested the split had been building for years, with reports claiming they had lived largely separate lives, even sleeping in different rooms for an extended period. Despite the filing, the divorce was never legally finalized before King’s death, a detail that would later become central to the legal disputes over his estate and inheritance rights.
Larry King’s Death and the Estate Dispute
Larry King passed away on January 23, 2021, at the age of 87, due to complications from sepsis following a battle with COVID-19. Because the divorce was never finalized, Shawn Southwick technically remained his legal wife at the time of his death. Shortly afterward, a handwritten will surfaced, reportedly signed on October 17, 2019, stating that King’s estate should be divided equally among his children — notably excluding Shawn entirely. This discovery ignited a lengthy and highly publicized legal battle over King’s fortune and final wishes.
Shawn’s Legal Battle Over the Will
Shawn Southwick swiftly moved to contest the handwritten will, arguing it held no legal authority. Her legal team claimed the document contradicted an earlier will from 2015, which named her as executor of King’s estate and sole administrator of the King Family Trust. Shawn also argued that King may not have had full mental capacity when signing the 2019 document, citing his history of health issues. She maintained that the couple had been quietly working toward reconciliation before his death, further complicating the legal narrative surrounding his final intentions.
The $100 Million Conspiracy Lawsuit
In October 2022, Shawn Southwick filed a sweeping $100 million lawsuit against King’s business management firm, Blouin & Company, along with several of King’s close associates. Shawn alleged the firm helped King create secret bank accounts and conspired to divert millions of dollars in community property without her knowledge or consent. She claimed one recipient, Larry King Jr., received more than $266,000 in transfers between 2013 and 2018. The defendants denied any wrongdoing, and the case dragged on for nearly two years before reaching a resolution.
Settlement and Where Things Stand Today
After two turbulent years marked by conspiracy accusations and counter-allegations of abuse and manipulation, Shawn Southwick finalized a settlement with Blouin & Company in 2024. Court documents confirmed both parties agreed to drop their respective claims following mediation, though the specific financial terms of the settlement were not publicly disclosed. This resolution effectively closed one of the most significant chapters of the ongoing dispute over Larry King’s legacy, though Shawn’s role in managing the family trust and her sons’ interests continues to shape her public presence.
Shawn Southwick’s Net Worth
While exact figures fluctuate depending on the source, Shawn Southwick’s estimated net worth is commonly reported at around $5 million, a figure built through her decades-long acting and singing career combined with assets tied to her marriage to Larry King. Her financial standing has also been directly impacted by the ongoing estate litigation, as she has fought to secure her share of community property and trust assets accumulated during her 23-year marriage. Regardless of the legal outcomes, her net worth reflects a career built on genuine, sustained work in entertainment.
Life Outside the Spotlight
Despite decades of tabloid attention, Shawn Southwick has generally maintained a low profile, particularly following King’s passing. She has focused primarily on raising her sons, Chance and Cannon, while managing the legal complexities of her late husband’s estate. Friends and sources close to the family describe her as private by nature, someone who values normalcy despite her long history in the public eye. Her rare public appearances in recent years have often drawn media attention specifically because they are so infrequent compared to her earlier, more visible years as King’s wife.
Conclusion
Shawn Southwick’s life tells a story far richer than her identity as “Larry King’s wife” alone. From her upbringing in a music-industry family to her own career as an actress, singer, and TV host, she built an independent path in Hollywood long before marrying one of broadcasting’s biggest names. Her 23-year marriage to Larry King brought both public admiration and public scrutiny, culminating in a dramatic legal battle over his estate that captured national attention for years. Today, as the legal dust settles, Shawn continues to be remembered as a resilient figure who navigated fame, family, and legal adversity with remarkable persistence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is Shawn Southwick? Shawn Southwick is an American actress, singer, and television host best known as the seventh wife of broadcaster Larry King.
2. When did Shawn Southwick marry Larry King? She married Larry King on September 5, 1997, and the marriage lasted 23 years until his death in 2021.
3. How many children does Shawn Southwick have? She has three sons total: Danny Southwick from her first marriage, and Chance and Cannon King from her marriage to Larry King.
4. Did Shawn Southwick and Larry King divorce before his death? King filed for divorce in 2019, but the divorce was never legally finalized before he passed away in January 2021.
5. What is Shawn Southwick’s net worth? Her net worth is commonly estimated at around $5 million, built through her entertainment career and marital assets.
6. What TV shows did Shawn Southwick appear in? She appeared in shows like Knight Rider, Days of Our Lives, Who’s the Boss?, and Remington Steele, and hosted Hollywood Insider.
7. What happened with Larry King’s will after his death? Shawn Southwick contested a handwritten 2019 will that excluded her, and later settled a related $100 million lawsuit against King’s business managers in 2024.
