Debbe Dunning Is Doing Better Than Ever Since Her Divorce

Debbe Dunning revealed during a 2020 podcast appearance that she and her longtime husband Steve Timmons had split up, but it's safe to say she's embraced single life in the time since. From staying busy with work to regular hangouts with her friends and children, the former "Home Improvement" star seems to be doing better than ever. Dunning and Timmons' split has been a little on the mysterious side. Neither party has ever spoken publicly about it (or even said the word "divorce," for that matter). There's also been no public mudslinging, which is probably because of how amicable the breakup was. As Dunning shared during a July 2020 appearance on "Road Life with Rick Monroe," "We've got a great friendship, which is, you know, very fortunate, I feel very, very blessed [...] especially for the kids."

The actor and model also gushed over all the love in her life, pointing out, "Every night I go to bed I'm so blessed to have my children, my family, my health, and for as long as I'm here, I just, I never take anything for granted." Dunning also spoke about her approach to gratitude more generally, and extending grace to others even if they weren't quite as chipper, while encouraging those listening to do the same. "We're all living day to day, and we don't know what someone else has gone through [...] Just be more compassionate and take a breath and don't let it affect the rest of your day," she urged. Dunning also asserted, "The more positive we stick out there, the more positive we will get back." She certainly sounded like somebody completely at peace — and several years down the line, that still seems to be the case. 

Debbe Dunning wasn't moping when she discussed her divorce on "Road Life with Rick Monroe," and she's still looking on the bright side. For the uninitiated, Heidi from "Home Improvement" has a daughter in real life, and she's gorgeous. They're incredibly close, even taking a joint birthday trip to St. Thomas in the summer of 2026. Their vacation notably included swimming with dolphins and let's face it, nothing says "Living my best life" quite like swimming with dolphins. Dunning is also close with both of her sons, shouting them out in a 2025 Instagram post for National Sons Day. "So proud of the men you have become!! Loyal, honest and my protectors," she enthused in part.  

The actor and model also has a solid community around her as a golfer. In one very sweet Instagram post, in August 2026, she shared a compilation of snaps with what she called her "golf family." As Dunning professed, "People always ask me what my super power is!! I surround myself with amazing people!! Blessed with positive energy." Golf isn't the only way she keeps active, either. The TV star also shared snaps with the friends she plays pickleball with, and has long spoken about her lifelong love of roller skating. Dunning even addressed that in her "Road Life with Rick Monroe" interview, quipping that after they'd wrapped up, she had plans to roller skate with her daughter.

If golf, roller skating, and pickleball are what's helped Debbe Dunning age like fine wine, sign us up! As for work, the actor continues to look back on her "Home Improvement" days fondly, and decades after the show ended, she still appears at fan conventions (often in her full Heidi getup).