Chuck Norris died Thursday morning, according to a family statement posted on his Instagram. “Please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace,” the statement said, adding, “He lived his life with faith, purpose,” and that “through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions.”
Norris often connected his life story to faith, saying his mother “loves Jesus with her heart and soul still” and repeatedly told him, “God has plans for you.” He admitted his early years were marked by insecurity: “I think a lot of my shyness and non-athleticism came because I didn’t have a father to instill those in me,” but said God used martial arts to change him. “I was just a start-and-stop guy… Martial arts was really the first thing in my life that I followed through on,” he said.
He later spoke about returning to God after a spiritual drift: “I had pretty much drifted away from God,” Norris said, adding that after he “reestablished” his faith, “all the thanks goes to my wife.” He credited Gena with leading him into daily Scripture habits: “She reads the Bible every morning… Once I started, it became a regular routine for us.” He also called a life-threatening crisis during the birth of their twins “a really trying time… and a time for reevaluation of what was important in my life.”
Norris said faith shaped how he tried to serve others, especially through youth outreach. “KICKSTART… is a way for us to give back,” he said, adding that even when he couldn’t quote Scripture directly, he wanted to teach what Jesus teaches—“love, loving your neighbor, being good people.” He also said he didn’t want kids to see only the highlight reel: “So many kids today, they see the success side of my life… but they don’t know where I come from… I am hoping… ‘If Chuck Norris can overcome those obstacles… then there is no reason why I can’t overcome my obstacles.’”
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