Veteran musician and television personality John Tesh is opening up about the enduring foundation of his long-standing marriage to actress Connie Sellecca, painting a picture of a bond strengthened by faith, deep mutual support, and a life-saving intervention.
A Love Story Forged in Faith and Patience
The couple's journey began in an unlikely place: a hotel gym in Palm Springs. Their first proper interaction, however, was a phone interview Tesh conducted while filling in for a radio host. Sellecca recalls the unconventional start, noting, "He had his friend ask me if I was alone, if I was seeing anyone and if I was naked." While she declined to answer those personal questions, she agreed to a dinner date when he called back after the show.
As born-again Christians, the pair courted for a year and made a conscious decision to abstain from sex until marriage. Sellecca shared that this choice was partly to be a good role model to her 11-year-old son, Gib. Tesh told PEOPLE, "Connie is a good girl… We talked about [the abstinence] first." He emphatically added, "Even if Connie and I could not have sex for the rest of our lives, we would not leave this relationship."
Their wedding was a grand affair on April 4, 1992, just ten days after their cover story in PEOPLE magazine. With 270 guests in attendance, the ceremony was described as "worthy of Buckingham Palace." The 6-foot-6-inch groom wore Perry Ellis tails, while Sellecca stunned in an elaborate beaded silk satin gown that prompted friend Teri Garr to remark, "I've never seen a bigger dress." Reflecting on that day, Tesh said, "I started to cry when I saw Connie… I kept thinking I got real lucky, and God was the one that did this."
Connie Sellecca's Crucial Role in John Tesh's Cancer Battle
The strength of their relationship was put to the ultimate test in 2015 when Tesh was diagnosed with stage III prostate cancer and given a prognosis of potentially only 18 months to live. It was Sellecca who became his fiercest advocate, insisting he seek treatment at the renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Tesh revealed that her persistence was life-saving. "She had met [these two friends] in New York when she was a model, like 52 years ago, and she kept in touch with them," he explained. "When I was at my wits’ end and couldn’t find the right treatment for this very rare form of prostate cancer, she contacted them and they said, ‘You gotta come here to MD Anderson.’"
The decision proved critical. Tesh noted that while other hospitals handled only 50–100 similar cases, MD Anderson was treating more than 1,000. He praised the center's holistic philosophy of treating "the whole body" and not just the disease. Tesh continues to monitor his health with doctors and frequently credits his wife's persistence, care, and emotional strength for helping save his life.
John Tesh's Legacy and Net Worth
Beyond his personal life, John Tesh has built an impressive and multifaceted career. According to Celebrity Net Worth, his successful ventures have led to an estimated net worth of $30 million.
John Frank Tesh Jr., born on July 9, 1952, in Garden City, New York, is not just a composer and pianist but also a former news anchor and broadcaster. He gained widespread fame as a co-host of Entertainment Tonight in the late 80s and early 90s. During this time, he composed the iconic "Roundball Rock," which became the legendary theme for NBA on NBC.
His musical talent has earned him multiple Emmy awards and gold albums. For over two decades, he also hosted the popular syndicated radio program "Intelligence for Your Life," focusing on wellness and personal growth, which he later co-hosted as a TV version with his wife, Connie Sellecca.
