Amy Laura Bargiel, better known as Amy Arnaz, was a dancer, dance teacher, author, and the longtime wife of Desi Arnaz Jr. She was born in Chicago in 1951 and later became a principal dancer at the Nevada Dance Theatre. She also helped run the Boulder City Ballet Company and worked with young dancers for many years. Amy died from brain cancer in 2015 at age 63.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Amy Laura Bargiel |
| Married name | Amy Arnaz |
| Nickname | Miss Amy |
| Birth date | September 12, 1951 |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Parents | Charles and Libby Kral Bargiel |
| Siblings | Tom Bargiel and Lisa Bargiel |
| Education | San Diego State University |
| Profession | Dancer, dance teacher, author |
| First husband | Gary Frederick Charf |
| Second husband | Desi Arnaz Jr. |
| Daughter | Haley Arnaz |
| Marriage to Desi Jr. | October 8, 1987 |
| Death | January 23, 2015 |
| Age at death | 63 |
| Cause of death | Brain cancer |
Amy Laura Bargiel’s Early Life
Amy Laura Bargiel was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1951.
Most detailed sources give her birthday as September 12, 1951. One profile table lists September 21, 1951, so there is a small conflict in the available information. September 12 is the better-supported date.
Her parents were Charles Bargiel and Libby Kral Bargiel.
She grew up with two siblings, a brother named Tom Bargiel and a sister named Lisa Bargiel.
Education and Ballet Training
Amy Laura Bargiel attended San Diego State University.
She also trained seriously as a ballerina under Dame Sonia Arova at the San Diego Ballet Company.
Her training led to a professional dance career. She later became a principal dancer at the Nevada Dance Theatre, where she reportedly performed for about 10 years under choreographer Vassili Sulich.
Her Interest in Spirituality
Amy became involved with the New Life Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on self-development and the writings of Vernon Howard.
The organization became an important part of her personal life.
It was also where she first crossed paths with Desi Arnaz Jr.
First Marriage to Gary Frederick Charf
Before marrying Desi Arnaz Jr., Amy was married to Gary Frederick Charf.
One source says the two met at the New Life Foundation in September 1975, while another says they married in September 1975. The exact wedding date is not clearly confirmed.
Amy Laura Bargiel and Gary had one daughter together.
Their daughter, Haley Charf, was born on December 17, 1976.
Amy and Gary divorced on May 11, 1979.
Her Daughter Haley Arnaz
Haley was Amy’s only biological child.
After Amy later married Desi Arnaz Jr., Desi adopted Haley. She then became known as Haley Arnaz.
Haley grew up around dance and became a ballerina herself.
She performed in productions of The Nutcracker. In 2006, she reportedly danced in a duet, and in December 2008 she played the older Clara and the Princess in the Land of Sweets.
Amy Laura Bargiel often wrote about Haley’s experiences growing up around ballet.
How Amy Met Desi Arnaz Jr.
Amy Laura Bargiel met Desi Arnaz Jr. through the New Life Foundation.
The two reportedly knew each other for some time before they began dating.
Amy later said she liked Desi because of his interest in the spiritual side of life. She also said he liked her dance studio and described him as down-to-earth.
According to one account, they dated for about three years before getting married.
Marriage to Desi Arnaz Jr.
Amy and Desi Arnaz Jr. married on October 8, 1987.
Their wedding was performed by Guy Finley, who was connected with the New Life Foundation.
About 150 guests reportedly attended.
Among the guests were Desi’s mother Lucille Ball, her husband Gary Morton, and Desi’s sister Lucie Arnaz.
Amy took the Arnaz surname after the marriage.
Desi also adopted Haley, making the three of them a family.
Amy Laura Bargiel and Desi did not have biological children together.
Where Amy and Desi Lived
During the early years of their marriage, Amy and Desi divided their time between Beverly Hills, California, and Boulder City, Nevada.
They eventually settled in Nevada.
Boulder City became especially important to Amy’s later work as a dance teacher and community figure.
Historic Boulder Theatre
Amy and Desi bought and restored the Historic Boulder Theatre in Boulder City.
The building became connected with their dance work and served as a home for the Boulder City Ballet Company.
Amy helped co-found the ballet company and spent years teaching young dancers.
She was known to her students as Miss Amy.
Former students described her as patient and careful with details during rehearsals and performances.
Work With Children
Amy became well known locally for her work with children in Southern Nevada.
Her dance studio trained many young students, and she was remembered for making them feel welcome.
One former student, Jayme Server, later became a professional dancer at Disneyland.
Amy’s work with children earned her the Spirit of Nevada Award.
Her contributions were also recognized by the 109th United States Congress.
Amy Laura Bargiel as an Author
Amy also wrote children’s books.
She created a trilogy called Little Haley Stories with her friend Ellen Dickstein.
The books were based partly on Haley’s childhood and her experiences with ballet.
The three books were:
- The Magic Tutu
- Juliana Cuddles
- Clara’s Nutcracker
The stories later helped inspire dance productions created for Amy’s students.
Clara’s Nutcracker
The third book, Clara’s Nutcracker, was published in 2011.
It focused on Haley’s experiences growing up in the dance studio and her feelings about never playing young Clara in The Nutcracker.
The books also included family photographs and pictures connected with the dance company.
Young students reportedly helped create some of the cover art.
Who Is Desi Arnaz Jr.?
Desi Arnaz Jr. was born on January 19, 1953.
He is the son of television stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, who became famous through I Love Lucy.
Desi Jr. began performing at a young age.
He played drums in the group Dino, Desi & Billy with Dean Paul Martin and Billy Hinsche. The group had success with the song I’m a Fool and opened for performers including The Beach Boys.
He also worked as an actor.
His credits include Here’s Lucy, The Brady Bunch, Red Sky at Morning, A Wedding, and The Mambo Kings.
In The Mambo Kings in 1992, he played his father, Desi Arnaz.
Desi Arnaz Jr.’s Family Before Amy
Desi Jr. had relationships before meeting Amy.
He was linked to Patty Duke, Liza Minnelli, and model Susan Callahan-Howe.
He also married actress Linda Purl in 1979. Their marriage ended about a year later.
Desi Jr. had one biological daughter, Julia Arnaz Massey, with Susan Callahan-Howe.
Some weaker sources confuse Julia with her daughter, Desiree. The clearer information shows that Desiree S. Anzalone was Desi Jr.’s granddaughter, not his daughter.
Amy and Desi’s Marriage
Amy and Desi remained married until her death.
They married in October 1987 and were together for more than 27 years.
Some sources describe the marriage as lasting 28 years, but “nearly 28 years” is more exact.
Their life together was closely connected with dance, the Boulder Theatre, and the Boulder City community.
Amy Laura Bargiel’s Illness
Amy was diagnosed with a brain tumor or brain cancer.
One source says the diagnosis came in January 2013.
She lived with the illness for about two years.
Amy Laura Bargiel’s Death
Amy died on January 23, 2015.
She was 63 years old.
Her reported cause of death was brain cancer.
Her death was publicly announced by people close to the Arnaz family.
Her Memorial in Boulder City
A public memorial was held on March 6, 2015, at Bicentennial Park in Boulder City.
Friends, relatives, former students, and local residents gathered to remember her.
People released pink balloons into the sky.
A large banner displayed Amy’s image and the words Keep Dancing and Love.
Desi Jr. also showed a video montage made from recital footage and family photographs.
Amy Laura Bargiel’s Net Worth
Amy’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
She had income from dancing, teaching, writing, and her work connected with the Boulder Theatre, but the available sources do not provide verified figures for her wealth.
Social Media and Public Appearances
Amy was not known for maintaining a major public social media presence.
She did appear publicly with Desi and Haley at some events.
One documented appearance was the Carl Wilson Benefit Concert in Los Angeles on October 14, 2001.
She also appeared with members of the Arnaz family at public events connected with Lucille Ball’s legacy.
Interesting Facts
- Amy Laura Bargiel was also known as Amy Arnaz and Miss Amy.
- She was born in Chicago in 1951.
- She attended San Diego State University.
- She trained under Dame Sonia Arova.
- She spent about 10 years as a principal dancer at the Nevada Dance Theatre.
- Her first husband was Gary Frederick Charf.
- Her daughter Haley was born in 1976.
- She married Desi Arnaz Jr. on October 8, 1987.
- Desi adopted Haley after the marriage.
- Amy and Desi did not have biological children together.
- She helped co-found the Boulder City Ballet Company.
- She co-wrote the Little Haley Stories books.
- She received the Spirit of Nevada Award.
- Her community work was recognized by the 109th Congress.
- She died from brain cancer on January 23, 2015, at age 63.
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