Ka Ho Cho, also known as Kaho Cho, is widely known as the fourth and final wife of comedian Redd Foxx, the star of Sanford and Son. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, she met Foxx in Las Vegas in 1989 and stood by him during his public battle with the IRS. They married in July 1991, just three months before Foxx died of a heart attack on the set of his TV show.
Redd Foxx made millions laugh as Fred G. Sanford, the grumpy junk dealer who faked heart attacks. But his final years were filled with money trouble, lost property, and a fight to rebuild his career. Through those hard times, one woman stayed at his side.
This article looks at what is truly known about Ka Ho Cho, her short marriage, and the role she played in Foxx’s last chapter. Every part is written in simple words so anyone can read and enjoy it.
Quick Facts: Ka Ho Cho
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Ka Ho Cho (also spelled Kaho Cho) |
| Known For | Fourth and final wife of Redd Foxx |
| Hometown | Seoul, South Korea |
| Met Redd Foxx | March 1989, Bally’s Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas |
| Married | July 1991 |
| Wedding Venue | Little Church of the West, Las Vegas |
| Reception | Hacienda Hotel, Las Vegas |
| Marriage Ended | October 11, 1991 (Foxx’s death) |
| Birth Date | Not publicly confirmed |
| Career | Not publicly confirmed |
| Life Today | Private |
Who Is Ka Ho Cho?
Ka Ho Cho is the woman who became Redd Foxx’s fourth wife in 1991.
She comes from Seoul, South Korea. Her name has appeared in print as both Ka Ho Cho and Kaho Cho.
Her marriage to Foxx lasted only about three months, ending with his sudden death in October 1991.
Even so, Foxx made it clear that she meant a great deal to him. She was with him during one of the hardest periods of his life.
How Ka Ho Cho Met Redd Foxx
Ka Ho Cho met Redd Foxx in March 1989 at Bally’s Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas was home ground for Foxx. He was one of the first Black comics to play to white audiences on the Las Vegas Strip, and he lived in the city.
At the time they met, Foxx was in his mid-60s and still performing.
What neither of them knew was that a major money crisis was only months away.
The IRS Raid on Redd Foxx’s Home
On November 28, 1989, just months after Foxx met Ka Ho Cho, the IRS seized his Las Vegas home.
Agents also took seven vehicles, cash, and hundreds of other items to cover unpaid taxes. By then, the debt had grown to nearly $1 million with penalties and interest.
Reports said agents left little more than his bed.
Foxx felt humiliated. He said he was treated like he wasn’t even human.
Standing by Redd Foxx in Hard Times
This is where Ka Ho Cho’s story matters most.
After his third divorce, Foxx had sworn off marriage. He once told Jet magazine he was done with it.
But Ka Ho Cho changed his mind. Foxx told Jet he married her because she stood by him through his troubles with the IRS.
He summed it up with a classic Foxx line: “She saw me with a nickel.” He added that if he ever had a dollar again, most of it would be hers.
The 1991 Wedding in Las Vegas
Redd Foxx and Ka Ho Cho married in July 1991.
The ceremony took place at the Little Church of the West, a famous wedding chapel in Las Vegas.
They celebrated afterward with a reception at the Hacienda Hotel.
It was a hopeful moment. Foxx was making a comeback on TV and had a wife who believed in him.
Redd Foxx’s Comeback With “The Royal Family”
In 1991, Foxx returned to television in the CBS sitcom The Royal Family, co-starring Della Reese.
The show was produced with help from Eddie Murphy, who admired Foxx greatly. Murphy once said Foxx was the most naturally funny person he ever met.
For Foxx, the show was a chance to earn again and pay down his debts.
For Ka Ho Cho, it meant her husband was back doing what he loved.
The Day Redd Foxx Died
On October 11, 1991, during a break from rehearsals for The Royal Family, Foxx suffered a heart attack on set.
At first, castmates thought he was joking. On Sanford and Son, he was famous for faking heart attacks.
According to Della Reese, when she went to him on the floor, Foxx asked for his wife twice.
He was rushed to the hospital and died about four and a half hours later. He was 68.
A Marriage of Just Three Months
Ka Ho Cho and Redd Foxx were married for only about three months.
That makes their marriage by far the shortest of Foxx’s four marriages.
Yet his request for his wife in his final moments shows how close they had become.
In a life with many rocky relationships, his bond with Ka Ho Cho stood out for its loyalty.
Redd Foxx’s Earlier Marriages
Ka Ho Cho was Foxx’s fourth wife. Before her, he married three times.
His first marriage was to Evelyn Killebrew, from 1948 to 1951.
He then married showgirl Betty Jean Harris in 1956. They divorced in 1975. Foxx adopted her daughter, Debraca.
His third wife was Joi Yun Chi Chung, whom he married in 1976 and divorced in 1981. That divorce cost him a large settlement.
Who Was Redd Foxx?
Redd Foxx was born John Elroy Sanford on December 9, 1922, in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up on Chicago’s South Side.
As a young man, he worked as a dishwasher in Harlem alongside Malcolm X. Both had red hair, which led to Foxx’s nickname.
He became known as the “King of the Party Records,” recording more than 50 comedy albums.
He won a Golden Globe for Sanford and Son, which ran on NBC from 1972 to 1977.
Redd Foxx’s Influence on Comedy
Foxx inspired many great comedians.
Richard Pryor and Chris Rock both named him as an influence. Jamie Foxx chose his last name as a tribute to him.
Foxx also helped friends get work on Sanford and Son, including LaWanda Page, who played Aunt Esther.
In 2004, Comedy Central ranked him 24th on its list of the 100 greatest stand-ups of all time.
Redd Foxx’s Debts and His Final Resting Place
At the time of his death, Foxx reportedly still owed more than $3.6 million in taxes.
His money problems meant there was little left behind.
Eddie Murphy paid for and handled Foxx’s burial. He was laid to rest at Palm Memorial Park in Las Vegas.
His mother, Mary, died two years later and is buried beside him.
Why Ka Ho Cho Stays Out of the Spotlight
A common question is simple. Why has Ka Ho Cho stayed so private?
After Foxx’s death, she did not write a book, give big interviews, or build a public career around his name.
Her role in his life was personal, not public. She was there for the man, not the fame.
That quiet choice fits the story Foxx himself told about her loyalty.
Ka Ho Cho Today
Very little is confirmed about Ka Ho Cho’s life today. No trusted source shares her age, where she lives, or what she does now.
Some websites claim details about her birth year, career, and appearance, but none of these come from reliable sources.
What is confirmed is her place in Redd Foxx’s story as the wife who stood by him when he had almost nothing.
That is the part of her life that history remembers.
Final Thoughts
Ka Ho Cho’s story is short, but it carries a powerful message. Redd Foxx spent his life making people laugh, yet in his darkest moments, what mattered most was someone who stayed.
She met him as his fortune was falling apart and chose him anyway. Their marriage lasted only months, but his last words reached for her.
Sometimes the truest love is not the longest one, but the one that shows up when everything else is gone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Ka Ho Cho?
Ka Ho Cho, also spelled Kaho Cho, was the fourth and final wife of comedian Redd Foxx. She is from Seoul, South Korea.
When did Redd Foxx marry Ka Ho Cho?
Redd Foxx married Ka Ho Cho in July 1991 at the Little Church of the West in Las Vegas.
How did Redd Foxx and Ka Ho Cho meet?
They met in March 1989 at Bally’s Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Why did Redd Foxx marry Ka Ho Cho?
Foxx told Jet magazine he married her because she stood by him during his troubles with the IRS, when he had very little money.
How long were Redd Foxx and Ka Ho Cho married?
They were married for about three months. Foxx died of a heart attack on October 11, 1991.
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