Chuck Norris may be over 80, but he still recognizes and appreciates those who have sacrificed for him. During his mom’s 101st birthday, he honored her for being his number one supporter and leading a prayerful life despite being abandoned by their dad.

Chuck Norris, who became a household name in the 1970s, is a man with many hats, a martial art expert, a belt holder, and an accomplished actor, but the title that stands out is being a loving son and appreciative husband.

The movie legend is always quick to praise the woman who gave him life, Wilma Norris. He credits her as a stronghold in the family and for raising him with his two brothers as a single mom.

Chuck Norris at Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia 2017 – Day 3 at Pennsylvania Convention Center on June 3, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. | Source: Getty Images

During last year’s Mother’s Day celebration, the actor shared a heart-melting message honoring his mother. He added his wife, Gena, mentioning that both women have influenced his life tremendously. He wrote:

“I am overwhelmed with gratitude to God for these two incredible women’s influence in my life.”

Interestingly, the Mother’s Day wish was only the topping on the cake. Chuck’s honorary message was padded with affection and gratitude towards his mom, who turned 100 on the same day. He added, “I love you, Mom! Happy 100th birthday!”

In a previous interview, Chuck revealed that his mother has an active, prayerful life. Wilma did not limit her prayers to his career but extended them to his future as a family man. Chuck noted:

“She even prayed for me to find a woman to change my life, and it worked.”

Shockingly, Wilma never had it easy. She was born in abject poverty and raised three sons without a father; their dad abandoned them when they were little.

Yet, she ensured that her boys all turned out right. Apart from prayers, the mother-of-three taught them priceless values. While raising her sons, she made them believe that no obstacle is insurmountable.

Such beliefs impacted Chuck, and he displayed it in his career, becoming a highly successful martial artist and a force to reckon with in Hollywood.

The actor also paid attention to his family. Neither fame nor fortune made him stray. He married Gena in 1998, and they began a family in 2001.

Ten years later, she began showing symptoms of arthritis and was scheduled to get an MRI. Consequently, she reacted to the treatment and required 24-hour nursing care to become well.

Without hesitation, Chuck stepped in. “My whole life right now is about keeping her alive,” he confessed.

This experience brought the family closer. As a result, Chuck became consumed with love for his household rather than pursuing a career because his family would always be his priority.

Chuck Honors Wilma as She Turns 101

Despite being a family man, Chuck has been introduced as a man who admires his mother; he is always ready to celebrate her at any chance.

Chuck’s consistent love and admiration of his mother show that she was pivotal in his success as an actor and family man.

In May 2022, the Norris matriarch turned 101, and her 82-year-old son made a public post honoring the family’s legend. He shared a photo of the celebrant dressed in a yellow, high-neck-collar top and brown sunglasses. The accompanying caption read:

“Happy Birthday Mom! 101 years YOUNG! WOW! There are no words to describe how much I love and appreciate you. Thank you for everything you have done for us over the many years God has blessed us together.”

Being expressive about his feelings for his mother has never been a problem. Chuck has praised her nonstop and spoken numerous times about how she always looked out for him via prayers, and it all began when he was a baby. In his words:

“When I was born, I almost died from complications. When nearly losing my soul to Hollywood a few decades ago, she was back home praying for my success and salvation.”

Parenting with Wilma

Wilma was not born with a silver spoon. She grew up in the rural areas of Oklahoma. The poverty she experienced was so severe that she became a state child at eight years old.

For two years, young Wilma underwent several treatments due to her rare illness, and this caused her to live in a children’s hospital. As she grew older, the Oklahoma native started her family with three sons, Chuck being the eldest. Their father, Ray, was a World War veteran who returned with a missing limb and drinking problems.

His alcohol obsession made it impossible for him to retain a job. Sadly, employers were not confident in him, and Ray could not support his family financially.

Ultimately, Wilma resorted to moving her and the boys to her mother’s home in Wilson, Oklahoma. It was in the tiny community that Chuck and his brothers were raised.

It was challenging raising a family during the Great Depression, but Wilma thrived, never giving up on her family or faith. The actor once shared with his fans how hopeful his mother is, explaining that she has displayed an unquantifiable faith and perseverance. Wilma remained undefeated through difficult situations, including losing loved ones and suffering several health crises. He quipped:

“Mom has been an example of perseverance and faith her whole life. She’s also endured the deaths of her two husbands, a stepson, two grandchildren, and my younger brother Wieland in the Vietnam War. She’s had cancer repeatedly and has undergone roughly 30 different surgeries for various issues – yet she’s still here to tell about it.”

Undoubtedly, Wilma is always ready to share her story and pass down her experiences to the younger generation.

In 2012, during a heart-to-heart discussion with Mike Huckabee on his show, Wilma talked about how Chuck grew up fast to set a better example for his younger ones.

When asked about her secrets to successful parenting, she admitted that she took them to church regularly, and they always observed prayer time. The centenarian mentioned that her spiritual life is very crucial.

Her advice to younger parents was, “Give them lots of love. Take them to church and Sunday school. But you see God didn’t give us our children. He only loaned them to us for a while.”

Chuck’s consistent love and admiration of his mother show that she was pivotal in his success as an actor and family man. Indeed, she instilled values that would never be erased by time, money, or family.