Chapman's first marriage was to La Fonda Sue Darnell (; born 1953), by whom he has two children, Duane Lee Chapman, II (January 21, 1973) and Leland Blane Chapman (December 14, 1976). The two wed in Pampa, Texas, on April 1, 1972, and remained married until October 27, 1977; La Fonda filed for divorce from Chapman after he was convicted of first-degree murder, and was granted custody of Duane Lee and Leland. Chapman was granted custody of the boys after the two began to become involved in crime and they were placed in foster care. Both sons would go onto work with Chapman at Da'Kine Bail Bonds in Honolulu, Hawaii, and appear on TV alongside their father.