Personal Tragedy and Final Moments

Dan’s personal life included both love and heartbreak. His first marriage to Diane Rooker produced two daughters before ending in divorce. In 1984, he married Samantha Hilton, and together they had three children. The couple remained happily married until tragedy struck in 2008 when Samantha suffered a motorcycle accident after colliding with a deer.

Haggerty flew home immediately, but Samantha had suffered severe brain damage. He made the heartbreaking decision to pull the plug, later describing it as the hardest moment of his life.

In 2015, Dan was diagnosed with spinal cancer, and despite continuing to work, he passed away on January 15, 2016. His final words to his close friend were simple yet profound: “I love you.”

Dan Haggerty will forever be remembered not just as Grizzly Adams, but as a kind, adventurous soul who touched countless lives.