Last updated on: January 31, 2025
Dorothy Letterman is familiar to the public as “Dave’s Mom.” She is the mother of the late-night TV host David Letterman. She became one of the loved characters on her son’s show, but life goes beyond these television appearances. Let’s know Dorothy better through her life, family, and legacy.
Quick Facts About Dorothy Letterman
| Full Name | Dorothy Marie Hofert Letterman |
| Date of Birth | July 18, 1921 |
| Occupation | Secretary, TV Personality |
| Husband/Wife | H. Joe Letterman (married 1942–1973), Hans P. Mengering (married 1983) |
| Education | Indiana University (studied business skills) |
| Age at Death | 95 years |
| Parents | Earl Jacob Hofert (Father), Lena M. Strietelmeier (Mother) |
| Siblings | Earl Jacob Hofert Jr., Hazel Hofert |
| Children | David Letterman, Gretchen Letterman, Janice Letterman |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $5 million |
| TV Appearances | Late Night with David Letterman, The Late Show with David Letterman |
| Famous Segment | “Guess Mom’s Pies” |
| Olympic Correspondent | 1994 Winter Olympics, Lillehammer, Norway |
| Cookbook | Home Cookin’ with Dave’s Mom (1996) |
| Date of Death | April 11, 2017 (aged 95) |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
Early Life and Family
Dorothy Marie Hofert was born July 18, 1921, in Linton, Indiana. She was the oldest of three children. Dorothy finished high school and then attended Indiana University. She learned business skills on weekends when she lived at home and attended school. While studying, she met H. Joe Letterman, who was the church organist and florist. They married in 1942.
The couple settled in Indianapolis and had three children: Jan, David, and Gretchen. Dorothy worked hard to take care of her family while supporting her children’s dreams. Sadly, in 1973, her husband passed away, and Dorothy became a single mother. Despite the challenges, she continued to work and care for her children.
A New Chapter
After her husband’s death, Dorothy worked as a secretary at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. She kept herself occupied with work as she was also raising three children. In 1983, Dorothy married for the second time. This was to Hans P. Mengering, who had retired from the engineering business. He had been a veteran of World War II.
This turns a very nyet-filled life around as Dorothy began to appear in her son’s TV shows in the 1980s. A few appearances snowballed to become the highlight of the decade.
Dorothy on TV
Dorothy became a celebrity after being a guest on David Letterman’s programs: Late Night with David Letterman, starting in 1986. She actually made her debut on this program under the title “Parents’ Night,” which was an entertaining way to present celebrities to their family members. It is on account of her down-to-earth nature that she became people’s favorite soon.
One of the most loved segments she appeared in was called “Guess Mom’s Pies.” In this segment, David would try to guess the type of pie his mother had baked. It became a Thanksgiving tradition for the show and was a hit with viewers. People loved the warm, funny interactions between Dorothy and her son.
She also served during the Winter Olympics. In 1994, she was a correspondent for the Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway. Her charm and quick wit made her stand out on the show. She continued to appear during Olympic Games in the following years, showing her natural ability to connect with the audience.
Dorothy’s Cookbook
Dorothy was not only famous for her television appearances. She also shared her passion for cooking with fans. In 1996, she published a cookbook called Home Cookin’ with Dave’s Mom. The book contained recipes that reflected the simple, home-cooked meals that she loved to make for her family. It became a way for fans to connect with her beyond the television screen.
READ ALSO: David Letterman Net worth, Age, Wife, Family, Facts & More
Legacy and Passing
The legacy of Dorothy is filled with love, warmth, and kind acts. She brought joy to the lives of many people by being their darling on television. Even though she wasn’t a professional celebrity, she became a significant part of David Letterman’s show, as well as a figure much loved by the audience.
Dorothy passed away on April 11, 2017, at age 95 a day before her son David would have turned 70. It was a tragic loss for the family and all her fans. In an obituary full of loving words, a beautiful picture of a red cardinal singing outside her window at the time she passed was included. Dorothy will never be forgotten, and all people remember is the kind of love she bestowed on her children, especially her favorite one: David.
Source: celebs.infoseemedia.com
