Amy Arnaz, born Amy Laura Bargiel, lived a life full of love, family, and dance. She is best remembered as the wife of Desi Arnaz Jr, the son of the famous stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz Sr. But her story was not only about being married to Hollywood royalty. She built her own legacy in dance, teaching, and community work. To understand her journey, we need to look at her childhood, career, marriages, and the lasting impact she left behind.
Quick Bio Table of Amy Laura Bargiel
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Amy Laura Bargiel |
| Known As | Amy Arnaz |
| Date of Birth | September 12, 1951 |
| Place of Birth | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Parents | Charles Bargiel & Libby Kral Bargiel |
| Siblings | Tom Bargiel, Lisa Bargiel |
| First Husband | Gary Frederick Charf (m. 1975, div.) |
| Child | Haley Amber Arnaz (adopted by Desi Jr) |
| Second Husband | Desi Arnaz Jr (m. October 8, 1987) |
| Career | Ballet dancer, teacher, founder of Boulder City Ballet Company |
| Notable Project | Co-restored Historic Boulder Theatre in 1997 |
| Cause of Death | Brain cancer |
| Date of Death | January 23, 2015, Boulder City, Nevada |
Early Life and First Marriage
Amy Arnaz was born on September 12, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents were Charles Bargiel and Libby Kral Bargiel, and she grew up with two siblings, Tom and Lisa. Her birth name was Amy Laura Bargiel, a name that would later connect to many search records today. She loved the arts from an early age and chose to focus on ballet. Dance gave her not only discipline but also a direction in life.
Before meeting Desi Arnaz Jr, Amy first married Gary Frederick Charf in 1975. Together they had one daughter, Haley. The marriage did not last, and they divorced, but her role as a mother stayed strong. Later, Haley would become an important part of her life with Desi.
Career in Dance
Amy Arnaz devoted much of her early life to ballet. She studied seriously and later danced with the Nevada Dance Theatre under choreographer Vassili Sulich. Performing on stage for nearly a decade, she earned respect as both a dancer and a teacher. Her training gave her discipline, kindness, and a gentle style that students admired.
In 1979, Amy moved to Boulder City, Nevada. She opened Dance Etc., a studio that soon became popular. Later, she founded the Boulder City Ballet Company, where she taught thousands of children. Many of them remembered her as “Miss Amy”, a mentor who mixed patience with high standards.
Meeting Desi Arnaz Jr
The love story between Amy Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr started in an unusual way. Amy attended teachings of spiritual leader Vernon Howard in Boulder City. Desi, also searching for inner peace, came to the same meetings. Their paths crossed there, and their connection grew quickly.
Their romance was described as fast and full of energy, almost like a classic Hollywood script. On October 8, 1987, Amy and Desi got married. Desi legally adopted Haley, Amy’s daughter from her first marriage, giving her the name Haley Amber Arnaz. Their family became complete, and Boulder City became their home.
Saving the Historic Boulder Theatre
One of the most important projects in their life together was the Historic Boulder Theatre. In 1997, Amy Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr purchased the building, which was close to being lost. They restored it and gave it a new purpose. The theatre became a home for ballet shows, concerts, and community events.
Through the theatre, Amy’s ballet company had a stage to shine. Local children performed there, and families enjoyed the shows. This work created lasting cultural value for Boulder City. The theatre stands as proof of Amy and Desi’s dedication to art and community.
Spiritual Beliefs and Teaching
Alongside her dance work, Amy Arnaz also followed the teachings of Vernon Howard. She supported the New Life Foundation, a group that shared Howard’s ideas about spiritual growth and inner life. These beliefs gave her strength in both personal challenges and teaching. She often told her students about focus, discipline, and self-discovery.
Her life in Boulder City was not about Hollywood glamour but about calm, art, and meaning. People admired her for her balance of kindness and strength. Many former students still say her lessons went beyond dance and touched their personal lives.
Illness and Death
The later years of Amy Arnaz’s life were marked by illness. She was diagnosed with brain cancer, a disease that she fought bravely. Sadly, she passed away on January 23, 2015, in Boulder City, at the age of 63.
Her death led many people to search for terms like “amy arnaz cause of death,” “amy arnaz death,” “amy arnaz died,” and even “funeral amy arnaz.” The cause was clearly brain cancer. Her funeral was private, but the community held tributes, including a memorial with pink balloons at Bicentennial Park.
Life After Amy for Desi Arnaz Jr
After Amy’s passing, false rumors often appear online with searches like “desi arnaz jr dies”. These are untrue. Desi Arnaz Jr is alive as of today and still linked to Boulder City and the theatre. His life after Amy remains quiet, focused on family and community rather than the spotlight.
Legacy of Amy Arnaz
The legacy of Amy Arnaz is wide. She is remembered as a teacher, performer, and community leader. The Boulder City Ballet Company continues to inspire children. The Historic Boulder Theatre still stands as a cultural center. And her daughter, Haley Arnaz, continues the family story.
For people who knew her, Amy’s life was more than her marriage. She showed that love, art, and kindness can build a lasting mark. Her journey from Amy Laura Bargiel to Amy Arnaz is one of transformation, strength, and love.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who was Amy Arnaz?
Amy Arnaz, born Amy Laura Bargiel, was a dancer, teacher, and wife of Desi Arnaz Jr. She founded the Boulder City Ballet Company.
Q2. Who was Amy Arnaz’s first husband?
Her first husband was Gary Frederick Charf, with whom she had a daughter, Haley, later adopted by Desi Arnaz Jr.
Q3. What was Amy Arnaz cause of death?
Amy Arnaz died of brain cancer on January 23, 2015, in Boulder City, Nevada, at age 63.
Q4. What did Amy Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr restore together?
They restored the Historic Boulder Theatre in 1997, turning it into a cultural hub for dance and community events.
Q5. Did Desi Arnaz Jr die?
No, Desi Arnaz Jr is alive. He continues to live quietly in Boulder City, Nevada, and remains connected to the theatre.
Conclusion
The story of Amy Arnaz is not just about being the wife of Desi Arnaz Jr. It is about a woman who followed her passion, built a community, and loved deeply. Her connection to Hollywood, her devotion to dance, and her role as a mother and wife make her life unique.
Even though she passed away in 2015, her work in Boulder City lives on. Students, families, and the community still feel the effect of her teaching and her projects. When we look back, we see more than a dancer or a wife we see a woman who made a difference through art, love, and dedication.
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