Betty Broderick Today: 5 Shocking Facts About Her Life In Prison And Next Parole Date

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The tragic and sensational case of Betty Broderick continues to grip the public imagination more than three decades after she murdered her ex-husband and his new wife. As of December 2025, the former La Jolla socialite remains incarcerated, serving out a sentence of 32 years to life in a California prison. Her story, which was immortalized in the *Dirty John* podcast and TV series, is a stark reminder of a bitter divorce that escalated into a double homicide.

The crucial question for those following the case is: what is the current status of Betty Broderick today? Now in her late 70s, her life is a world away from the affluent San Diego lifestyle she once knew. The most recent and pivotal update revolves around her continued incarceration and the distant date of her next, and perhaps final, chance for freedom: her 2032 parole hearing. This article explores the latest details of her life behind bars, the reasons for her continued denial of parole, and the lasting impact of the infamous *Broderick v. Broderick* case.

Elisabeth Anne Broderick: A Comprehensive Profile and Timeline

Elisabeth Anne "Betty" Broderick (née Bisceglia) was once the picture of a successful, privileged American wife and mother before her life took a dark turn. Her biography is essential to understanding the psychological breakdown that led to the murders.

  • Full Name: Elisabeth Anne "Betty" Broderick (née Bisceglia)
  • Born: November 7, 1947, in Bronxville, New York
  • Parents: Frank and Marita Bisceglia
  • Education: Graduated from Mount Saint Vincent College (1969)
  • Marriage to Dan Broderick: Married Daniel T. Broderick III in 1969
  • Children: Kimberly "Kim" Broderick (b. 1970), Lee Broderick (b. 1971), Daniel "Danny" Broderick IV (b. 1976), and Rhett Broderick (b. 1979)
  • Victims: Daniel T. Broderick III and Linda Kolkena Broderick
  • Crime Date: November 5, 1989
  • Conviction: Two counts of second-degree murder (December 1991)
  • Sentence: 32 years to life in prison (February 1992)
  • Current Location: California Institution for Women (CIW) in Chino, California

Betty met Dan Broderick while she was a college student. She worked to support him through medical school at Cornell and law school at Harvard, while also raising their four children. The family moved to San Diego, where Dan became a prominent and wealthy medical malpractice attorney. Their seemingly perfect life began to crumble in 1983 when Dan started an affair with his young legal assistant, Linda Kolkena, leading to a notoriously acrimonious and financially devastating five-year divorce battle known as *Broderick v. Broderick*.

The Unrepentant Prisoner: Why Betty Broderick Was Denied Parole

Betty Broderick has been eligible for parole several times since her 1992 sentencing, but each attempt has been met with a firm denial. Her last parole hearing in 2017 resulted in a 15-year denial, meaning her next opportunity to argue for release will not be until 2032. The core reason for the parole board’s decision is her consistent refusal to show genuine remorse or "insight" into the severity of her crimes.

Lack of Remorse and Insight

During her parole hearings, Broderick has maintained that she was the victim of a manipulative and emotionally abusive husband, Dan Broderick, and his mistress, Linda Kolkena. She has consistently framed the double murder not as a crime of malice, but as a tragic consequence of years of psychological torment and the breakdown of her life.

Deputy District Attorney Richard Sachs, who has argued against her release, has repeatedly stated that Betty Broderick is an "unrepentant woman." The parole board members have echoed this sentiment, noting her continued anger and diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder. They determined that she still poses an unreasonable risk of danger to society if released.

In her own words, Broderick has stated that she is "misunderstood." She believes her actions were a direct result of being pushed to the brink by her ex-husband’s legal and personal maneuvers during the divorce. This lack of full accountability is the single greatest obstacle to her release.

Betty Broderick Today: Life Inside the California Institution for Women

For over 30 years, Betty Broderick has been housed at the California Institution for Women (CIW) in Chino, California. This is one of the state's largest women's prisons, and her life there is a far cry from the high-society world of La Jolla she once inhabited.

Despite the severity of her crime, she has reportedly been described as a model prisoner in some respects, with a clean disciplinary record. However, public comments she has made from prison reveal a continued resentment towards the system and her situation. In a 1990s interview, she claimed that the prison system has no interest in seeing sick inmates get better, suggesting that they "would prefer for us to die."

As she ages, her health and status within the prison system become a more significant factor. Given her age (approaching 78) and the serious nature of her conviction for second-degree murder, the 2032 parole hearing will be a critical moment, representing her last realistic chance for freedom. If denied again, she will likely spend the remainder of her life behind bars.

The Lasting Legacy: 'Dirty John' and the Children's Perspective

The Broderick case has maintained its cultural relevance, largely due to its depiction in various true-crime media. The USA Network series *Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story*, starring Amanda Peet and Christian Slater, brought the case to a new generation, reigniting the public debate over whether Betty was a villain or a victim.

The most poignant part of the legacy is the impact on her four children: Kim, Lee, Daniel IV, and Rhett Broderick. Their lives were shattered by the actions of their mother and the death of their father and stepmother.

  • The Children Today: The four Broderick children are now adults, and reports indicate that Kim, Lee, and Rhett remain close, with some living near each other.
  • Divided Loyalty: The children have had a complex relationship with their mother. Two of the children, Kim and Daniel Jr., spoke to Oprah Winfrey in the 1990s, offering different perspectives on the tragic events.
  • Rhett's View: Her youngest son, Rhett, stated in an interview that he believes his mother should be released, noting that the entire family has been serving a sentence alongside her for decades.

The case remains a foundational study in legal circles and true crime, illustrating the dangers of high-conflict divorce and the blurred lines between victimhood and criminality. The San Diego community, which was rocked by the murders of Dan Broderick and Linda Kolkena, continues to monitor the case, ensuring that the 2032 parole hearing will once again draw intense national scrutiny.

betty broderick today
betty broderick today

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