Key Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lawrence Welk Jr. (often “Larry” Welk) |
| Date of Birth | March 11, 1940 |
| Place of Birth | Harlingen, Texas |
| Parents | Lawrence Welk Sr. and Fern Renner |
| Primary Roles | Chairman of Welk Resort Group; Producer |
| Major Transaction | Sale of Welk Resorts to Marriott for $430 M (2021) |
Early Life
Born into a musical and performing family, Lawrence Welk Jr. was exposed to show business early on. The only son of famous bandleader and television personality Lawrence Welk Sr., he was raised to preserve legacy and family. He grew up in Harlingen, Texas, with two sisters before attending college and joining the family business.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1940 | Born in Harlingen, Texas |
| 1958 | Graduated high school; began undergraduate studies |
| 1962 | Joined Welk music publishing company |
Entertainment Career
Welk Jr. produced and managed music, building on the family’s television legacy. He oversaw Ranwood Records releases related to his father’s show as general manager. He held televised reunions and retrospectives to commemorate “champagne music” for new and committed fans across three decades.
| Year | Production | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Lawrence Welk’s Christmas Reunion | Executive Producer |
| 2005 | Lawrence Welk: Precious Memories | Producer |
| 2009 | The Welk Stars Through the Years | Director/Producer |
Resort Business
Welk Jr. built a timeshare empire from a small family campsite alongside his performance career. He integrated hotel management with family governance to expand Welk Resort Group across California and Baja California as board chairman. His leadership led to a significant sale that confirmed the group’s market leadership.
| Year | Company | Role / Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Welk Resort Group | Founded under Lawrence Welk Sr.; later expanded |
| 1980 | Timeshare Division Launched | Oversaw initial fractional ownership program |
| 2021 | Sold to Marriott Vacations Worldwide | Transaction value: $430 million |
Net Worth
Though exact data are confidential, signs suggest multi-generational assets generate enormous personal wealth. The $430 million sale of the flagship timeshare business produced significant liquidity for family shareholders. Welk Jr.’s real estate and legacy entertainment rights make him financially strong.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Proceeds from Resort Sale | $430 million |
| Father’s Net Worth at 1992 Death | Approx. $150 million |
| Estimated Personal Stake | Significant (private family holdings) |
Well-Known Family Members
Generations of Welks have worked in entertainment and business. Television icons and modern professionals make up Lawrence Welk Jr.’s network. He is connected by blood and business to a diversified family that has contributed to the Welk tradition.
| Name | Relation | Notability |
|---|---|---|
| Lawrence Welk Sr. | Father | Iconic bandleader and TV host of The Lawrence Welk Show |
| Fern Renner | Mother | Early supporter and matriarch of the family business |
| Tanya Falan | Ex-Wife | Singer on The Lawrence Welk Show (m. 1968–1979) |
| Lawrence Welk III | Son | Professional helicopter pilot |
| Kevin Welk | Son | Family business participant |
| Donna & Eva Welk | Sisters | Private family members |
FAQ
Where and when was Lawrence Welk Jr. born?
He was born in Harlingen, Texas, on March 11, 1940.
What is the Welk Resort Group?
A 1964-founded family timeshare enterprise that grew into a big hospitality operation under his guidance.
He worked for Ranwood Records in what capacity?
He oversaw family-branded recording production and distribution as general manager.
He made which TV specials?
Key productions include Christmas Reunion (1985), Precious Memories (2005), and The Welk Stars Through the Years (2009).
How much was Welk Resorts sold for?
The company was sold to Marriott Vacations Worldwide for $430 million in January 2021.
Is his wealth public?
His share in the family’s successful sale and asset portfolio shows enormous private wealth.
