Julie Hovland: The Inventor, Mother, and Quiet Force Behind the Savalas Family
Julie Hovland is best known as the third and final wife of actor Telly Savalas, the television star who became famous as Lieutenant Theo Kojak. Yet her own life includes far more than a connection to Hollywood. She has worked as a travel agent, raised two creative children, developed household inventions, managed business interests, and protected her private life for decades.
Born into an accomplished Minnesota family, Julie grew up surrounded by music, winter sports, civic work, and strong personal ambition. Her father competed in the Winter Olympics, while her mother built an impressive career in music and community service. These influences helped shape Julie into a practical and creative woman who remained grounded even after entering the world of celebrity.
Julie Hovland Early Life and Age
Julie Ann Hovland was born on July 7, 1957, in Minnesota, United States. Based on that birth date, she turned 69 years old on July 7, 2026. She spent her early years in Minnesota, where her family had deep ties to the Duluth community. Her childhood was shaped by two highly active parents who valued talent, discipline, and service.
Although Julie later attended major Hollywood events and married an internationally famous actor, her roots remained firmly connected to the Midwest. After Telly Savalas died, she returned to Minnesota with her children for a period, giving them a quieter environment during a painful family transition.
Julie Hovland Parents and Family Background
Julie is the daughter of George Hovland II and Gloria Ann Hammers Hovland. Both parents achieved success in very different areas.
George Hovland II
George Hovland II was a major figure in American cross-country skiing. He represented the United States at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway. After his competitive years, he continued supporting skiing in Minnesota. He became closely connected with the growth of winter sports in Duluth and helped build opportunities for future athletes. His work left a lasting mark on the local skiing community. George died in 2021 after a long life dedicated to athletics, outdoor recreation, and public service.
Gloria Ann Hammers Hovland
Julie’s mother, Gloria, was a singer, musician, radio host, real estate agent, band manager, pilot, animal breeder, political volunteer, and civic activist. She received an opportunity to study at the Juilliard School but chose to remain closer to her family in Duluth. Gloria performed as a coloratura soprano, sang in several languages, worked with orchestras, and helped manage musical groups.
She also hosted a radio program under the name Gloria Knight. Her talents extended beyond music. Gloria earned a pilot’s license, worked in property sales, supported political campaigns, and developed ideas intended to improve tourism and business in Duluth.
Gloria died on January 6, 2016, at the age of 83.
Julie Hovland Siblings
Julie grew up with two brothers:
- George Hovland III
- Lee Hubert Hovland
Lee died in 1980. George Hovland III survived both parents and remained connected to the wider Hovland family.
Julie Hovland Education
A social account associated with the name Julie Savalas mentions the American University of Beirut. A professional page connected with Cristari LLC also carries the same educational reference. These matching details support the possibility that Julie studied at the American University of Beirut. However, no confirmed degree title, graduation date, or university biography has been made available.
The careful wording is that she may have attended the American University of Beirut, but the exact course and qualification remain private.
Julie Hovland Career as a Travel Agent
Before her marriage to Telly Savalas, Julie worked as a travel agent. She was from Minnesota and entered the actor’s life during the late 1970s. She met Telly in 1977, during the final period of the original Kojak television series. Their relationship continued for several years before marriage.
Her travel career did not become a major part of celebrity coverage, and the company where she worked has not been clearly established. Still, her occupation is supported by marriage material connected with Clark County, Nevada.
Julie Hovland and Telly Savalas
Telly Savalas was already an established actor when he met Julie. He was known for his deep voice, bald head, confident screen presence, and memorable role in Kojak. The age difference between them was more than three decades. Despite that gap, they formed a long relationship and created a family together.
Julie Hovland Marriage to Telly Savalas
Julie Ann Hovland married Aristotle “Telly” Savalas on December 22, 1984, in Clark County, Nevada. This was Telly’s third marriage. Julie remained his wife until his death in January 1994. Photographs from March 1986 also show the couple taking part in a ceremony at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Los Angeles. The occasion was connected with the christening of their son Christian and may also have included a religious marriage blessing. The legal marriage took place in Nevada in 1984, while the 1986 event carried religious and family importance.
Life With a Hollywood Star
Julie attended public events beside Telly during the 1980s. They were photographed at film gatherings, award ceremonies, charity occasions, and formal events. Even with this access to Hollywood life, she did not try to build a career based on fame. She focused mainly on her family and creative interests.
For part of their marriage, the family lived in a large suite at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in California. Their children grew up surrounded by hotel staff, musicians, actors, family friends, and visitors. This unusual home gave the children a lively childhood, but Julie remained the steady figure at the center of the household.
Julie Hovland Children
Julie and Telly had two children together: Christian Savalas and Ariana Savalas.
Christian Savalas
Christian Savalas was born in 1985. His formal name has also been given as Christo Leandros Savalas. He has been involved in music, songwriting, technology, app development, and business projects. Corporate documents connected with Cristari LLC include his name as an authorized signer and partner. Christian has also shared family memories through social media, including photographs involving his mother, sister, and extended family.
Ariana Savalas Bos
Ariana Savalas was born on January 9, 1987, in Los Angeles. She became an international singer, songwriter, cabaret artist, actress, and emcee. She gained wide attention through Postmodern Jukebox and later created music with her band Dark Lady.
Ariana eventually moved into television journalism under the name Ariana Bos. She became an award-winning multimedia journalist and joined WTNH-TV in New Haven, Connecticut. Ariana has described her mother as an artist and inventor. She has also spoken about Julie’s role in raising her and Christian after their father’s death.
Julie Hovland After Telly Savalas Died
Telly Savalas died on January 22, 1994. Ariana was seven, while Christian was still a young child. After his death, Julie moved with the children to Minnesota. The move placed them closer to the Hovland side of the family and gave them distance from Hollywood during a period of grief.
The family later returned to California. Ariana continued developing her acting and music talents, while Christian pursued his own creative and technical interests. Julie avoided entertainment coverage and focused on family, business, and invention.
Julie Hovland as an Artist and Inventor
Julie’s daughter has described her as both an artist and an inventor. Business and product records support the inventor description. Her creative work seems to have focused on practical objects designed to solve everyday problems.
Julie Savalas Patent Work
Patent databases connect the name Julie Savalas with a holder designed to organize and display multiple documents. The design used a standing structure that kept papers separate and visible. Her name has also been associated with configurable barrier concepts. These designs reflect an interest in organization, household convenience, and practical construction. Because some patent pages contain limited personal details, each invention should be connected to her with measured wording. However, the wider record of her business activity supports her identity as a serious inventor.
Cristari LLC
Julie became associated with Cristari LLC, a domestic limited liability company registered in Georgia. A 2015 business document connected Julie Ann Savalas with the company and included Christian’s formal name as an authorized signer.
A later annual registration filed in July 2021 named Julie Savalas as the registered agent. The company’s office was located in the Roswell, Georgia, area. These documents confirm that Julie held an official role connected with the company.
Haus Maus Laundry Guard
Cristari LLC became connected with the Haus Maus Laundry Guard, a practical household product designed to stop clothing and other items from falling behind washers and dryers. The product uses magnetic panels that attach to metal appliances. It can also help keep items from falling behind refrigerators.
Commercial descriptions identify Julie as the inventor. The idea developed from a common household frustration: socks, clothing, and laundry supplies disappearing behind large machines. The product reflects Julie’s ability to turn a simple problem into a useful invention.
Julie Hovland and Rick South
Rick South has been connected with Julie through family and business material. Gloria Hovland’s 2016 obituary named her daughter as “Julie (Rick South) Savalas.” In family notices, a name placed in parentheses often refers to a spouse or committed partner.
However, the obituary did not directly call Rick her husband. A Georgia corporate filing from 2021 shows that Rick South signed Cristari LLC’s annual registration as an organizer. Julie remained the registered agent. This proves a business connection between them. It may also support a close personal relationship, but no confirmed marriage certificate or family announcement has established that Julie legally remarried.
Is Julie Hovland Alive Today?
Stronger family records show that she was alive in 2016 when her mother died. Her father’s 2021 obituary also named Julie as a surviving daughter. A family photograph shared in December 2024 showed Julie at Ariana and Maarten Bos’s Las Vegas wedding. The caption described the image as a flashback, so the wedding date was earlier than the post.
Julie Hovland Net Worth
Julie’s net worth has never been confirmed. Her possible income sources include business activity, product sales, patents, investments, and family assets. However, no trustworthy financial document gives a total value for her wealth.
Julie Hovland Legacy
Julie Hovland’s life combines family devotion, creativity, resilience, and privacy. She supported Telly Savalas during the final part of his life, raised their two youngest children, returned to Minnesota after his death, and later developed business and invention projects. Her children built careers in music, entertainment, technology, and journalism. Their achievements reflect the creative and ambitious environment that Julie helped create.
Conclusion
Julie Hovland is more than the widow of a famous television actor. She is a Minnesota-born mother, former travel agent, artist, inventor, and entrepreneur. Her marriage to Telly Savalas remains an important part of Hollywood history, yet her personal story is rooted in family strength and practical creativity. Through Cristari LLC and the Haus Maus Laundry Guard, she showed an ability to create useful products from everyday challenges.
Her current life remains private. What is clear is that Julie played a central role in the Savalas family and built a quiet legacy that extends beyond celebrity.
FAQs
1. Who is Julie Hovland?
Julie Hovland, also known as Julie Ann Hovland Savalas, is an American former travel agent, inventor, entrepreneur, and mother. She is best known as the third and final wife of actor Telly Savalas, who played Lieutenant Theo Kojak in the television series Kojak. She is also the mother of Christian Savalas and singer-turned-journalist Ariana Savalas Bos.
2. How old is Julie Hovland?
Julie Hovland was born on July 7, 1957, in Minnesota, United States. Based on that birth date, she turned 69 years old on July 7, 2026. Her birth details are connected with the Minnesota Birth Index, although Julie has rarely discussed her personal life publicly.
3. Was Julie Hovland married?
Yes, Julie Hovland married actor Telly Savalas on December 22, 1984, in Clark County, Nevada. They remained married until his death on January 22, 1994. Rick South was later connected with Julie through family and business records, but no confirmed marriage record proves that he became her second husband.
4. How many children does Julie Hovland have?
Julie Hovland has two children with Telly Savalas. Their son, Christian Savalas, was born in 1985 and has pursued interests in music, technology, and business. Their daughter, Ariana Savalas Bos, was born in 1987 and became an international cabaret performer before entering television journalism as Ariana Bos.
5. Is Julie Hovland still alive?
Julie Hovland’s present status has not been conclusively confirmed. She was named as a surviving daughter in her mother’s 2016 obituary and again in her father’s 2021 obituary. No dependable obituary or official death announcement for Julie has been found.
6. Where is Julie Hovland now?
Julie Hovland has maintained a highly private life away from entertainment coverage. Georgia business records connected her with Cristari LLC and identified her as its registered agent in 2021. Her exact current residence, occupation, and personal circumstances have not been publicly confirmed. The safest conclusion is that her life after 2021 remains private.
