Who Is Bernie Tiede? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on August 2, 1958, Bernie Tiede is an American mortician whose life became the subject of a sensational true crime story. Gaining national attention after a shocking legal case in the 1990s, Tiede's life was depicted in the 2011 film Bernie, starring Jack Black. As of 2025, Bernie Tiede is 66 years old. His story encompasses elements of crime, romance, and an unconventional lifestyle that continues to fascinate the public.
| Occupation | Directors |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 2, 1958 |
| Age | 66 Years |
| Birth Place | Tyler, Texas, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Bernie Tiede's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Although specific figures on Bernie Tiede's height and weight have not been extensively documented, he is generally described as a moderately built individual, maintaining a posture typical of many working in the profession of mortuary science. For precise measurements, one may need to look toward recent public appearances or interviews.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Bernie Tiede's relationship status remains somewhat ambiguous. After his widely publicized trial and the attention garnered by his life story, he has mostly kept his personal life private. There are no confirmed reports regarding a boyfriend or girlfriend. His past relationships have been scrutinized within the media, but details remain scarce.
Bernie Tiede is the son of Bernhardt Tiede, a native of Olegnow, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine. Of German descent, Tiede had immigrated in 1926 as a child with his family to the United States.
The elder Tiede had served as a professor of music and choral director at Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, Texas (1946–1948), at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas (1948–1957), at Kilgore College in Kilgore (1957–1968), and then McMurry College in Abilene, where he served as director of the McMurry Chanters until his de
ath.
In addition to his work as a university professor, the elder Tiede also served as church music director and as a vocal performer. Bernie Tiede's mother was his father's first wife, Lela Mae Jester (1933–1960). Jester was killed in an automobile accident when Bernie was two years old.
Tiede’s father, who was driving the car in which Jester died, never forgave himself, and started drinking frequently.
Net Worth and Salary
Bernie Tiede’s net worth in 2025 is estimated to be in the range of $1 million. His notoriety from the criminal case and subsequent media coverage has contributed to various opportunities and income from public speaking engagements. However, much of his financial standing comes from his career as a mortician.
Career, Business, and Investments
Tiede has had a varied career. Initially working in the funeral business, he gained notoriety due to a high-profile case that led to a life sentence for murder. Since his release, he has participated in numerous documentaries and has become somewhat of a public figure. While no significant business ventures have publicly come to light, it is known that he has engaged in public speaking, sharing his story and life lessons, which may provide additional earnings.
Social Network
Bernie Tiede has a limited presence on social media. He tends to avoid the spotlight aside from his professional engagements. There are accounts related to his story and previous trials, but Tiede himself does not maintain active personal social media profiles. His notoriety primarily comes from news coverage and representations in film and documentaries.
When interviewed, Panola County District Attorney Danny "Buck" Davidson said that the town of Carthage was “split up” in regards to their opinion of Tiede. Davidson recounted to the Longview News-Journal, “People remember [Tiede] as being real nice and doing nice things, and they'd like my office to go real easy on him. And then, there's a group that wants no mercy.”
Education
Details regarding Bernie Tiede's educational background indicate that he pursued embalmment and mortuary science, which paved the way for his career as a mortician. However, more precise details about the institutions he attended or degrees earned remain vague.
Tiede was taken in for questioning, and he admitted to Nugent's murder to police in August 1997. He said that after the murder, he had prepared the body, and placed it in a freezer. After this, Tiede acknowledged using Nugent's money for civic activities, gifts to academic and civic groups, and to friends.
She had given him power of attorney over her funds. A jury convicted Tiede of first-degree murder, and sentenced him to 50 years in prison. When he appealed his sentence, the appellate courts ruled that there was sufficient evidence for the jury to have found premeditation, a condition of the charge.
