Who Is Charlotte Hopkins? Inside Terry Bradshaw’s Former Wife’s Life and Career

Charlotte Hopkins is an American family law attorney from Denton, Texas. She has spent decades building a successful legal career and helping families with divorce, custody, property, and other difficult legal matters.

She is also widely known as the former wife of Terry Bradshaw, the famous NFL quarterback and television personality. Their marriage brought Charlotte public attention, and they welcomed two daughters, Rachel and Erin Bradshaw.

This article explores Charlotte Hopkins’ early life, education, marriage to Terry Bradshaw, children, divorce, and professional journey. It also looks at her family law career, legal achievements, awards, writing, and life today.

Quick Bio

Personal Detail	Information
Full Name	Charlotte Hopkins
Also Known As	Charla Hopkins, Charla Bradshaw
Birth Date	April 17
Birthplace	Denton, Texas, USA
Nationality	American
Profession	Family Law Attorney
Famous For	Legal career and former marriage to Terry Bradshaw
Father	Charles Hopkins
High School	Denton High School
University	Texas Woman’s University
Bachelor’s Degree	B.S. in Human Studies
Law School	Southern Methodist University
Law Degree	Earned in 1993
Legal Specialty	Family Law
Board Certification	Family Law
Former Husband	Terry Bradshaw
Marriage Date	February 15, 1986
Divorce	1999
Children With Terry	Rachel Bradshaw and Erin Bradshaw
Workplace	KoonsFuller
Office Location	Denton, Texas
Other Work	Mediator, legal writer, and speaker
Current Status	Active family law attorney in 2026

Who Is Charlotte Hopkins?

Charlotte Hopkins, also known professionally as Charla Bradshaw, is a Texas attorney who has built a long career in family law. She works with people dealing with divorce, child custody, property disagreements, and other family matters.

Outside the legal profession, Charlotte became widely recognized because of her relationship with Terry Bradshaw. Terry became one of the best-known NFL quarterbacks after playing his entire professional football career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

However, Charlotte created a professional identity separate from football and television. She completed her education, became a Texas lawyer, earned family law certification, and spent decades representing clients while also teaching and writing about legal subjects.

Growing Up in Denton, Texas

Charlotte Hopkins has strong roots in Denton, Texas. She grew up in the area and remained connected to the city throughout her education and professional life. Denton later became an important location for her legal career.

Her father, Charles Hopkins, also had a connection with public service in Denton. He served as a Denton City Councilman. Charlotte therefore grew up in a family familiar with community involvement and public responsibilities.

Charlotte attended Denton High School before moving into higher education. Her early years in Denton became the foundation for a life that would eventually include university studies, law school, marriage, motherhood, and a long professional career.

Charlotte Hopkins’ College Education

Charlotte continued her studies at Texas Woman’s University in Denton. She completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Studies in 1987 and graduated summa cum laude, showing strong academic performance during her university education.

After finishing her undergraduate studies, Charlotte decided to pursue law. She attended Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law, where she received the legal education needed to begin her professional career as an attorney.

Charlotte earned her law degree in 1993. She also became licensed to practice law in Texas that year. Her education allowed her to build a career separate from the public attention surrounding her marriage to Terry Bradshaw.

Marriage to Terry Bradshaw

Charlotte Hopkins married Terry Bradshaw on February 15, 1986. Their wedding took place at the Little Chapel in the Woods, a well-known chapel located on the campus of Texas Woman’s University in Denton.

At that time, Terry was already famous because of his football career. He had played quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and helped the team win four Super Bowl championships. Charlotte was continuing to develop her education and future career.

Charlotte became Terry Bradshaw’s third wife. Their relationship connected her with one of American football’s most recognizable personalities, but she did not build her own life around entertainment fame and later concentrated strongly on the legal profession.

Life as Terry Bradshaw’s Wife

Being married to Terry Bradshaw naturally brought attention to Charlotte. Terry had already achieved major success in professional football, and his personality and later television career kept him connected to the public after his playing days ended.

Charlotte took a different path. Rather than building an entertainment career, she continued working toward her professional goals. Her studies eventually led to law, and she developed experience in an area focused on families and personal legal problems.

The couple remained married for around 13 years. During this period, they became parents to two daughters. Charlotte’s roles as a mother, student, and later attorney became important parts of her life alongside Terry’s continuing public career.

Charlotte and Terry Bradshaw’s Daughters

Charlotte Hopkins and Terry Bradshaw share two biological daughters, Rachel Bradshaw and Erin Bradshaw. Both daughters grew up in Texas before developing their own interests and careers as adults, becoming known beyond their famous father.

Rachel Bradshaw was born on May 13, 1987. She later attended Belmont University in Nashville and developed an interest in country music. Rachel became a singer and television personality and appeared with her family on The Bradshaw Bunch.

Erin Bradshaw was born on June 27, 1989. She developed a passion for horses and became an accomplished equestrian. As an adult, Erin continued working with horses and built a life around riding, training, and family.

Rachel Bradshaw’s Life and Career

Rachel Bradshaw chose music as an important part of her professional life. After studying at Belmont University in Nashville, she pursued country music and also gained television exposure through programs connected with music and her famous family.

Rachel married former Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas in June 2014. Their marriage ended tragically when Bironas died in a car accident in September of that year, only a few months after their wedding.

Rachel eventually continued moving forward with her personal and professional life. She returned to music and remained close to her family. In March 2023, Rachel married Chase Lybbert in Texas, beginning another chapter of her life.

Erin Bradshaw’s Life With Horses

Charlotte’s younger daughter, Erin Bradshaw, found her passion in the equestrian world. She became deeply involved with horses and developed her skills as a rider, eventually becoming known as a professional rider and world champion equestrian.

Erin married horse trainer Scott Weiss in 2017. Their shared love of horses became an important part of their marriage. Together, they have been involved with training and breeding horses while building their family life.

Although Rachel and Erin followed very different professional interests, both became recognizable members of the Bradshaw family. Charlotte remained an important part of their lives while continuing to develop her own demanding career in Texas family law.

Divorce From Terry Bradshaw

Charlotte Hopkins and Terry Bradshaw ended their marriage in 1999 after approximately 13 years together. Their divorce brought an important chapter of their lives to an end, although they remained connected through daughters Rachel and Erin.

Terry later discussed the emotional difficulties he experienced around divorce and mental health. He described periods involving sadness, anxiety, trouble sleeping, loss of weight, difficulty concentrating, and other challenges that affected his everyday life.

Charlotte took a much quieter approach after the marriage ended. Instead of building a public identity around the divorce, her life became increasingly connected with her work as an attorney and her responsibilities within the Texas legal community.

Building Her Family Law Career

Charlotte became licensed to practice law in Texas in 1993. She chose family law as her main professional field, allowing her to work with people facing complicated situations involving relationships, children, finances, and family property.

Her legal work includes divorce and child custody matters. She has also handled property disputes and other difficult family cases. Family law can involve emotional situations, making legal knowledge, communication, and experience especially important.

Over more than three decades, Charlotte developed extensive experience in this field. By 2026, she remained active in family law as a shareholder at KoonsFuller, working from the firm’s Denton office and continuing her long Texas legal career.

Board Certification and Mediation Work

One of Charlotte’s important professional achievements is her board certification in family law. Board certification represents advanced experience and knowledge within a particular legal specialty and has become an important part of her professional profile.

Charlotte has also worked as a certified mediator. Mediation can help people try to resolve legal disagreements without having every issue decided through a courtroom fight. This role adds another dimension to her work with Texas families.

Her experience therefore extends beyond simply representing clients in legal disputes. Her career has included courtroom matters, negotiations, mediation, professional leadership, legal education, and other activities connected with the development of family law in Texas.

Professional Roles and Legal Leadership

Charlotte has taken part in several professional legal organizations during her career. Her work has included involvement with groups and committees focused on family law, professional standards, legal education, and issues affecting Texas attorneys.

She has served on the Texas Family Law Council Legislative Committee. Charlotte has also held leadership responsibilities connected with the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, showing her continued involvement in the wider family law community.

Another professional role included chairing the State Bar of Texas District 14 Grievance Committee. These positions added to her courtroom and client work and allowed her to participate in broader areas of the Texas legal profession.

Awards and Career Recognition

Charlotte has received numerous honors during her long legal career. Her professional profile includes recognition connected with The Best Lawyers in America, Texas Super Lawyers, Lawdragon, and other organizations covering attorneys and the legal profession.

Her recognition has continued across many years rather than being limited to one period. In 2024, she received the “Lawyer of the Year” recognition for family law arbitration in the Dallas-Fort Worth area from Best Lawyers.

Her professional information also includes 2026 recognition connected with family, marriage, and divorce law. These achievements reflect the career Charlotte built through decades of working with clients and participating in the Texas family law community.

Charlotte Hopkins as a Legal Writer

Charlotte’s career is not limited to representing people in family law cases. She has also contributed to legal education by writing about subjects that attorneys and families may face during divorce and other legal proceedings.

Her writing has covered divorce, child custody, money, property, and related issues. In 2019, she wrote about the treatment of family pets during divorce and explained how pets can become part of property questions under Texas law.

Charlotte has also contributed material discussing the protection of assets during a Texas divorce. This work shows another side of her professional career, combining practical legal experience with education and written explanations of complicated family law subjects.

Teaching Other Legal Professionals

Charlotte has also spent time speaking about family law. She has regularly participated in continuing legal education programs, where attorneys learn about legal developments, professional practices, and changes that may affect their work.

She previously served as director of the Advanced Family Law Course. This program provides detailed training in family law and gives lawyers an opportunity to improve their understanding of complicated issues within the field.

Through speaking, teaching, writing, mediation, and client representation, Charlotte developed a broad legal career. These activities helped establish an identity based on her own education and professional experience rather than only her connection with Terry Bradshaw.

Where Is Charlotte Hopkins Today?

In 2026, Charlotte Hopkins remains active in Texas family law. She continues working as a shareholder at KoonsFuller in Denton, where her professional work centers on divorce, custody, property matters, and other family-related legal issues.

Her career now covers more than three decades. During that time, she has worked as an attorney, mediator, writer, speaker, and legal professional involved with organizations and committees connected to Texas family law.

Charlotte maintains a much more private public profile than Terry Bradshaw and some members of the extended Bradshaw family. Her professional career remains the strongest public part of her life, especially through her continuing legal work in Denton.

Final Thoughts

Charlotte Hopkins is an experienced Texas family law attorney who became publicly known through her marriage to football legend Terry Bradshaw. They married in 1986, welcomed daughters Rachel and Erin, and divorced in 1999.

Away from the Bradshaw name, Charlotte created a successful professional path. Her education at Texas Woman’s University and Southern Methodist University prepared her for a legal career that has lasted for more than three decades.

Today, Charlotte continues her family law work in Denton. Her story combines family, education, motherhood, marriage, professional growth, and decades of legal experience, showing why readers remain interested in learning more about her life.

(FAQs)

Who is Charlotte Hopkins?

Charlotte Hopkins, also known as Charla Bradshaw, is an American family law attorney from Denton, Texas. She is widely known as Terry Bradshaw’s former wife but has also built a successful legal career.

Why is Charlotte Hopkins famous?

Charlotte Hopkins became widely known because of her marriage to former NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw. She is also recognized for her long career as a Texas family law attorney, mediator, legal writer, and speaker.

When did Charlotte Hopkins marry Terry Bradshaw?

Charlotte Hopkins married Terry Bradshaw on February 15, 1986. Their wedding took place at the Little Chapel in the Woods in Denton, Texas. Their marriage lasted around 13 years before ending in 1999.

How many children do Charlotte Hopkins and Terry Bradshaw have?

Charlotte Hopkins and Terry Bradshaw have two daughters together. Their oldest daughter, Rachel Bradshaw, was born in 1987, while their younger daughter, Erin Bradshaw, was born in 1989. Both have public careers.

What does Charlotte Hopkins do for a living?

Charlotte Hopkins is an experienced family law attorney. Her legal work includes divorce, child custody, property disputes, mediation, and other family matters. She has spent more than three decades working in Texas law.

Where did Charlotte Hopkins study?

Charlotte studied at Texas Woman’s University and graduated summa cum laude. She later attended Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law, earned her law degree in 1993, and became licensed in Texas.

Where is Charlotte Hopkins now?

As of 2026, Charlotte Hopkins continues working in family law in Denton, Texas. She is a shareholder at KoonsFuller and remains active as an experienced attorney with decades of work in family law.