Who Is Solica Cassuto, Andy Griffith’s Wife?

Solica Cassuto is a Greek-American actress and ex-wife of late Andy Griffith, an American actor, comedian, writer, television producer, and southern gospel singer. 

Born Andy Samuel Griffith, the late pioneer doesn’t require so much introduction as his over 70-year career left a lot of positive impressions in the hearts and minds of viewers over his active years. He is best recognized for his leading role as Sheriff Andy Taylor in the 1960-1968 television show The Andy Griffith Show.

His celebrity status as an actor notwithstanding, the same cannot be said about Solica Cassuto, who was the second of the actor’s three wives before his death. This article explores all there is to know about the actress’s life, career, and marriage details to the late actor.

Solica Cassuto Was Born In The 50s

Solica Cassuto was born in 1950 in the beautiful country of Greece. The actress leads a relatively secluded lifestyle which belies her status as an actress. As a result of this choice to remain private, there is neither any information about her exact date of birth nor the exact location of her birthplace in Greece.

The lack of available information regarding Solica’s early life extends to the fact that not much is known about the identity of any other family relatives, including her parents or siblings.

She is reported to have been raised in a Christian household and judging from the fact that she lived most of her early life in Greece, it will suffice to say that that is where she grew up and from where she most likely got her formal education.

Solica Cassuto Became Andy Griffith’s Wife A Few Years After Meeting Him On A Movie Set

The Hollywood-esque tale of Solica’s meeting with her late ex-husband on the set of a movie they were both working on is one tale that is as old as the industry itself. It didn’t take long for the couple to become attached romantically after meeting in the early 1970s. A couple of years later, they became officially a married couple in 1973.

Solica and her ex-husband had opted for a relatively low-key wedding ceremony that was to be held in the backyard of their recently acquired home. The simple yet elegant wedding featured a large harp in the middle of the backyard, where the event was celebrated.

Despite their decision to keep things on the low, the event still drew the public’s attention because of the former owner of the home where the event was held. The public attention stemmed primarily from the fact that the home had previously belonged to Bing Crosby, a well-known American musician in the 70s.

Fundamental Differences Led To Solica’s Divorce From Andy Griffith

In a book written by Ken Berry titled Andy and Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show, the author had stated that he had noticed that Solica and her husband were an unlikely couple who were fundamentally different from each other and who had nothing in common.

He essentially pointed out that while Andy Griffith, Solica’s ex-husband, was conservative and more of a manly man with apparently no effeminate bone in his body, Solica, on the other hand, was as female as you could get – soft, gentle, and in Mr. Berry’s own words like a flower.

A comparison wasn’t necessarily meant as a bad thing but only used to point out the stark difference between the couple’s personalities. These differences ultimately led to the couple growing apart from each other and subsequently getting a divorce eight years into their marriage.

When compared to the late actor’s previous and subsequent marriages, his marriage to Solica Cassuto was deemed short. The actor’s first wife was a woman named Barbara Bray Edwards, and they tied the knot on August 22, 1949, but the marriage ended 23 years later in 1972.

After his marriage to Solica Cassuto ended, Andy married Cindy Knight in 1983, two years after his marriage to Solica had come to an end, and they were married until his death from heart-related complications in 2012.

Solica Cassuto And Andy Griffith Had No Kids Together

Solica Cassuto did not have any children with her late ex-husband throughout their eight-year marriage. However, she was content to play the role of a mother to the late actor’s children from his previous marriage to Barbara Edwards. Andy and Barbara had adopted and raised two children throughout their 23-year-old marriage.

The first of these children was a boy named after Andy himself, Andy Samuel Griffith Jr. Andy Jr., born in 1957 and adopted by Andy and Barbara the same year. Andy and his first wife went further to adopt a second child, this time a girl named Dixie Nann Griffith, whose exact date of birth is unknown to the public.

Solica’s ex-husband, Andy, described her as a good wife and a doting mother who was nothing short of phenomenal to him and the kids. Such a glowing recommendation set her apart as someone who truly loved children but who had somehow been denied the privilege of having her kids.

Her step-son Andy Jr., better known as Sam Griffiths, had gone on to become a real estate developer but sadly died in 1996 from alcohol abuse.

Solica Cassuto Is No Longer Active As An Actress

Solica Cassuto was a well-known actress in her home country of Greece, and her profile skyrocketed even more after her marriage to Andy Griffith. Since the divorce, however, her career as an actress more or less took a nosedive, and she essentially vanished from the limelight.

The result of Solica withdrawing more and more behind the scenes is that not much is known about her social life. Aside from people close to her, no one knows if she dated again or even had children beyond her marriage to Andy Griffith.

Her Current Whereabouts are Unknown

As earlier mentioned, not much has been heard about Solica Cassuto since her divorce in 1981. She has chosen to stay under the radar and keep her private affairs to herself. She doesn’t fancy getting involved in social media as she doesn’t have any verifiable handles or accounts. Barring any shocking turn of events, it is assumed that her absence from the limelight will remain indefinite.

Key Facts About Solica Cassuto

Q: Who is Solica Casuto?
A: Solica Casuto is Andy Griffith’s ex-wife, and a Greek actress and accomplished television producer who also used to sing southern gospel. She is best known for her marriage to Andy Griffith.

Q: When and where was Solica Casuto born?
A: Solica Casuto was born in Greece in 1950.

Q: What is Solica Casuto’s net worth?
A: Solica Casuto has a net worth of $1 million, while her husband Andy Griffith had a net worth of $60 million.

Q: How tall is Solica Casuto and how old is she?
A: Solica Casuto is 1.70 meters tall, She is 73 years in 2023, and she will be 74 years old in 2024.

Q: Who was Solica Casuto’s husband?
A: Solica Casuto was married to American actor Andy Griffith, who was her second husband.

Q: Did Solica Casuto and Andy Griffith have any children?
A: No, Solica Casuto and Andy Griffith did not have any children together.

Q: How long were Solica Casuto and Andy Griffith married?
A: Solica Casuto and Andy Griffith were married for eight years (m. 1973–1981) before they divorced.

Q: What was the nature of Solica Casuto and Andy Griffith’s relationship?
A: Their relationship was closely guarded, and they kept it a secret until Andy Griffith’s death.

Q: What is Solica Casuto’s background in the entertainment industry?
A: Solica Casuto has a seven-decade-long career, appearing in numerous films and television shows.

Q: What is Solica Casuto’s connection to the University of North Carolina and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia?
A: Solica Casuto’s connection to the University of North Carolina and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is through her ex-husband, Andy Griffith, who was a student at the university and joined the men’s social music organization in 1945.