Bruce Rathgeb, a former musician and chef, was tragically involved with his ex-wife Victoria Vetri. Victoria Vetri (Angela Dorian) became famous in the 1960s as a 1968 Playboy Playmate of the Year. Her life changed in 2010 when she shot her husband, Bruce Rathgeb, which led to claims of infidelity and a prison sentence.
The Shooting Incident
A horrible occurrence occurred at the couple’s West Hollywood condo in 2010. Victoria Vetri shot Bruce Rathgeb in the back after arguing about his adultery. Apparently, Vetri thought Rathgeb was unfaithful, which caused the violent reaction. After the shooting, Rathgeb identified his wife as the shooter. The accident left him seriously injured yet alive.
Due to the couple’s tumultuous background, the occasion received widespread media coverage. Bruce Rathgeb and Victoria Vetri had been married for 25 years, although their relationship had been difficult before the shooting.
Bruce Rathgeb’s Wife: Victoria Vetri
Victoria Vetri, born September 26, 1944, is an American actress and former model who became famous in the 1960s and 1970s for her parts in cult classic films and as a Playboy Playmate. She was born in San Francisco to Italian parents and relocated to Los Angeles to work in entertainment. As Angela Dorian, she received 1968 Playmate of the Year, establishing her pop culture legacy. Victoria appeared in many films, including When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth (1970), Rosemary’s Baby (1968), and Invasion of the Bee Girls (1973). Her beauty and on-screen presence made her a renowned figure of the age, despite her success and scandal.
Victoria’s marriage to Bruce Rathgeb has garnered attention. They married in 1985 and had a rocky relationship. Victoria shot her husband Bruce Rathgeb in 2010, making headlines. After pleading no contest, she was convicted of attempted voluntary manslaughter in their house. Her prison term was nine years. Despite her tragic marriage, Victoria Vetri is recognized for her contributions to Hollywood and the catastrophic circumstances that blighted her later life.
The Legal Aftermath
Victoria Vetri sustained serious legal consequences after the shooting. She was initially accused with attempted murder, which made news owing to her Playboy modeling background and the startling act. She admitted shooting the rifle and injuring Rathgeb in court but denied premeditation.
Vetri was to be tried for the shooting in 2011. The charge was reduced to attempted voluntary manslaughter. She pleaded no contest in 2012 and was sentenced to nine years in state prison. Many were stunned to see her convicted of a violent crime after being a gorgeous 1960s and 1970s superstar.
Bruce Rathgeb’s Recovery
Bruce Rathgeb’s life changed after his wife shot him. Rathgeb recovered from his injuries despite the trauma. However, the emotional toll was much higher. The shooting marked a sad end to Rathgeb and Vetri’s disintegrating marriage.
After the incident, Rathgeb’s personal life was closely scrutinized and linked to the crime. Rathgeb reportedly withdrew from the public eye to rest and rehabilitate.
Victoria Vetri’s Life Before the Shooting
Victoria Vetri was a successful glamor model and actress before the shooting. She was Playboy’s Playmate of the Year in 1968 as Angela Dorian. She appeared in various 1960s and 1970s Hollywood films due to her modeling reputation.
Her illicit activity overshadowed her work and personal life. Vetri had a quieter life, battling with personal and financial concerns, when the film was shot. She was further estranged from fame and glamour after her conviction and her sentence.
The Fallout and Public Perception
The couple’s friends were startled when Victoria Vetri shot Bruce Rathgeb. A musician and chef, Rathgeb supported his wife’s early career but endured years of marital strife and adultery accusations. The shocking event ended their 25-year marriage and put Vetri in prison for a crime that may have killed her husband.
Vetri’s status as a former Playboy model drew similarities between her gorgeous public image and her violent private life. Her conviction heightened her already turbulent life due to media coverage.
Conclusion
The tragic story of Bruce Rathgeb and Victoria Vetri shows that appearances may deceive. Despite her 1960s popularity and beauty, Vetri’s life collapsed into violence, and she shot her husband in jealously and wrath. Rathgeb recovered physically and emotionally from the incident, but Vetri was imprisoned. They demonstrate that even former Playboy models and musicians may battle with dark, deep issues.
