Bret Engemann: The Full Story Of The Former NFL Quarterback Turned Reality TV Husband
Bret Engemann has lived more than one life. He once chased an NFL dream in Oakland. He is now well-known thanks to a popular Hulu series. This article covers his football days, his family, and his life now.
Who Is Bret Engemann?
Bret Engemann is a former American football quarterback who played college ball at Brigham Young University. After college, he signed with the Oakland Raiders. These days, fans mostly know him as Demi Engemann’s husband on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
People search his name for different reasons. Some remember his football career. Others recall his near-miss on The Bachelorette. Many discovered him through his wife’s reality show. He sits at the center of all three worlds, which makes his story worth telling in full.
How Old Is Bret Engemann?
He was born on December 7, 1977, which makes him 48 years old in 2026. He grew up in Provo, Utah, and attended Timpview High School before heading to BYU. When he was cast as a Bachelorette in 2020 at the age of 42, his age was frequently mentioned online.
His Football Career At BYU
Bret Engemann played quarterback for the BYU Cougars from 1999 through 2002. Provo fans still remember him from those college playing days. BYU has a long history of sending strong quarterbacks to the NFL, and he hoped to follow that same path after graduating.
The NFL Journey With The Raiders
After college, Bret Engemann signed with the Oakland Raiders. He competed for a roster spot as the team’s third quarterback, behind starter Rich Gannon and backup Marques Tuiasosopo. His main competition came from veteran Rick Mirer and a hopeful named Tee Martin. The odds were tough, but he gave it everything he had.
He had a difficult journey to the NFL. No team drafted him out of college, so he earned a tryout through hard work alone. That grit kept showing up long after his time in Oakland ended.
Life After The Raiders
After his time with the Raiders ended, he continued to play football. Bret Engemann signed with NFL Europe teams, playing for the Berlin Thunder and the Rhein Fire. These overseas leagues gave American players extra game experience. Back home, he tried real estate, then briefly signed with the Utah Blaze, an arena football team.
Football clearly shaped who he became. Even after his playing days slowed, he stayed close to the sport by coaching younger players, including his own sons. That coaching connection later played a surprising role in one of his biggest life decisions.
What Does He Do Now?
Many people ask what Bret Engemann does for work now. His brother introduced him to Xocai Healthy Chocolate, where he went on to become an executive. It is a network marketing business built around health products. Other reports describe him as an executive at MXI Corporation, a related wellness chocolate brand.
This career shift surprised fans who only knew him from football. The role gave him steady income, flexible hours, and more time to coach his sons. Today, he is also known publicly for supporting his wife on television.
The Bachelorette Story
One heavily searched topic involves Bret Engemann’s near-appearance on The Bachelorette. He was originally cast for Season 16, starring Clare Crawley. Filming was set to begin in March 2020 but was halted by the pandemic. At 42, he was the oldest contestant in the original lineup.
Four months passed before production restarted, and by then he had pulled out entirely. He explained the delay clashed with his sons’ football season, since the boys needed him to coach and he would have missed early games otherwise.
There is an interesting twist behind that casting. Reports say Demi encouraged him to apply after learning he was newly divorced, and the two anonymously submitted his application together, before they ever started dating. His application succeeded, and he would have been the oldest contestant of that season.
Family Background
Bret Engemann comes from a notable entertainment family. His father, Karl Engemann, served as a Vice President at Capitol Records during the 1960s. Young Bret had an early introduction to the entertainment industry because to Karl’s leadership of the label’s A&R branch and his management of well-known performers like The Osmonds and The Beach Boys.
That background explains his comfort on camera years later. Growing up around music executives and famous names was simply normal for him. His brother Paul reportedly sang lead vocals for the 1980s pop band Animotion, adding another layer to this entertainment-heavy family tree.
His Sister And The Larry King Connection
A common question is who Bret Engemann’s sister is. In 1997, she wed legendary broadcaster Larry King. Her name is Shawn Engemann. That made her King’s seventh wife, a detail that often surprises people. Through that marriage, Bret became an in-law of one of television’s most recognizable names.
This tie placed his family inside major entertainment circles for decades. Larry King has since passed away, but the connection remains part of his story, showing how his life kept brushing against fame long before reality television entered the picture.
His Ex Wife And First Marriage
Many people search for details about Bret Engemann’s first wife. Her name is Angie Harrington, later known as a friend of cast members on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. The couple married for about seven years before Angie filed for divorce in 2010, citing irreconcilable differences.
The divorce included detailed custody terms. A judge granted joint custody of their two sons, with Angie’s home serving as the primary base. Court records show she received 209 overnights each year, while he received 156. At the time, Angie had no personal income, since she had stayed home raising their boys.
Financial details became public through court filings. His gross monthly income was listed at $7,011, while hers was listed as zero. He agreed to pay $1,800 monthly in child support until each son turned 18 or finished high school, whichever came later, plus $1,000 monthly in alimony for four years after the split.
Some older reports reference a difficult incident from that marriage. A February 2010 police report noted officers responded to a domestic disturbance call, stating he became upset during an argument and broke Angie’s phone after throwing it. The public record pertaining to that relationship still includes this.
Life After The First Divorce
Angie Harrington moved forward after the split. She later married a man named Chris Harrington and had another child. She has also made appearances in television shows, such as Below Deck Adventure. Both former spouses built separate lives while continuing to co-parent their two sons together.
Meeting His Kids: Rome And Cole
Rome and Cole are the names of his two sons from his first marriage.Rome was 15 and Cole was 12 when he was cast as a Bachelorette in 2020. That puts Rome around 21 and Cole around 18 in 2026, both now young adults.
His sons shaped some of his biggest decisions. Rather than risk missing games, he declined to participate in a big dating show just for them, opting instead to be there as their coach. That single choice says a lot about how he prioritizes fatherhood over fame.
A Second Marriage To Demi
After his divorce, he eventually found love again with Demi. According to her explanation, the two are sixteen years apart in age and have known each other for years via a family acquaintance. She has said that when she was nine years old, he was already married and starting a family of his own.
That relationship eventually grew into marriage. In one episode of her show, Demi explains she has been married to him for almost three years. She rose to prominence as a cast member on Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, providing viewers with a genuine glimpse into their daily marriage and family life.
Life On Reality Television
Today, he is best known through his wife’s hit Hulu series, where he appears as a supporting figure across multiple seasons. In Season 2, the show featured a storyline where another cast member received an anonymous claim that he had an affair. Both he and Demi denied that allegation publicly.
The couple has also shared glimpses into their private life, including an Entertainment Tonight tour of their Utah home. Viewers continue to follow their marriage closely each season. Drama and rumors aside, he remains a steady, recognizable presence on the show.
Height And Physical Profile
Football fans often look up athletic stats for former players. He stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighed around 227 pounds during his playing career. That build made him a classic pocket-passer at quarterback, the kind of frame teams look for when evaluating talent at that position.
Net Worth Estimate
There is no exact, officially confirmed net worth figure available. A picture is still painted by a number of sources of income. He earned NFL-level pay briefly with the Raiders and overseas leagues, then built steady income through his chocolate company executive role. Reality television likely added another income stream in recent years.
Old court filings listed his monthly income near $7,011 at the time. Since then, his business role and television presence have likely grown his earnings. Without an official public filing, any specific net worth number should be treated as an estimate, not a confirmed fact.
Why His Story Stands Out
From a distance, his journey crosses football, business, and television in a manner that few narratives do. Trying out for the NFL, almost joining The Bachelorette, and later becoming known through a spouse’s reality show is a rare combination. His family ties to Larry King add another layer of interest, while his athletic background gives him real credibility beyond the screen.
Conclusion
From BYU quarterback to Raiders hopeful to businessman to reality TV star, Bret Engemann‘s life has taken many unexpected turns. His family includes ties to Larry King, plus two grown sons he clearly puts first. If you want to follow his current life with Demi, keep watching the latest episodes, since this story keeps evolving every season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Bret Engemann?
He was born on December 7, 1977, making him 48 years old in 2026.
Who is Bret Engemann’s ex wife?
His first wife was Angie Harrington, married to him for about seven years before their 2010 divorce.
What is the occupation of Bret Engemann?
He works as an executive for a health and wellness chocolate company, after earlier careers in football and real estate.
Who did Bret Engemann play for in the NFL?
He signed with the Oakland Raiders after college, competing for a backup quarterback role on the roster.
Why did Bret Engemann leave The Bachelorette?
He withdrew from Season 16 because the delayed filming schedule conflicted with coaching his sons during football season.
How many kids does Bret Engemann have?
Rome and Cole are his two boys from his first marriage to Angie Harrington.
