Barry Seal was an American pilot of Trans World Airlines who was quite famous. Not so much for how good he was at his work but rather because of his involvement in drug smuggling. Note that he used to do that on behalf of the Medellín cartel. In 1984, Seal was apprehended and charged with offenses related to drug smuggling. Note that he received the judgment of 10 years behind bars. Seal had tried to search for a way out of his jail sentence by offering to help the Drug Enforcement Administration. He considered being an informant and passed all the information about other drug-related cases.

During that time, Barry Seal was on trial in several high-profile drug cases. Additionally, he helped bring down many members of the cartel. Regrettably, the Washington Times Post uncovered his clandestine collaborations with the DEA and CIA. Note that it ultimately resulted in his murder in 1986. Barry Seal went through three marriages, with Deborah DuBois being his third wife. While there is little information available about them, we will provide all the details currently accessible.

Quick Bio 

How did Deborah DuBois Meet Barry Seal?

Image credit: The Villains/ YouTube 

Barry Seal encountered Deborah DuBois when he was apprehended on his way to a hearing in 1972. Note that he was attempting to smuggle military explosives for Cuban rebels. Deborah, then a 21-year-old cashier at a restaurant, shared that he casually asked her out. Intrigued by the stories of his daring missions, she became his third wife in 1974. Prior to Deborah, Barry Seal was in a marital relationship with Lynn Ross-Barry for eight years from 1963 to 1971. After that, he maintained a marital relationship with Barbara Dodson from 1971 to 1972.

Deborah DuBois remained married to Barry Seal until his mysterious death in 1986, and together they had three children. During their marriage, Deborah gave birth to Dean, Aaron, and Christina Seal. Sadly, they also experienced the loss of their son Jason at the age of 18 months. Note that they had another son named Michael. In addition to these five children, Barry Seal had two sons from his first marriage – Lisa and an older son.

How is Deborah DuBois Navigating Life After Barry Seal’s Death?

Image credit: Universal Pictures

Deborah continues to contemplate the precise circumstances surrounding Barry’s murder. Deborah DuBois is a well-known American figure, primarily recognized as the wife of Adler “Barry” Seal. Barry, a TWA pilot, gained notoriety for his involvement in drug trafficking with the Medellín Cartel. Eventually apprehended for smuggling, he faced charges, was convicted, and received a ten-year prison sentence. Barry Seal believed that a friend of his had successfully negotiated a deal with the DEA. It helped him become an informant to expose other drug operations.

During that period, Barry Seal served as a witness in numerous high-profile drug cases against members of the cartel. Unfortunately, after a while, the very agencies he had been cooperating with—DEA and CIA—turned against him. It led to his demise a decade later in 1986. Deborah DuBois was Barry’s third wife, and he had a total of three marriages.

Was Deborah DuBois aware of Barry’s involvement in the drug trade?

Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Barry gained notoriety as an audacious cargo smuggler, recognized as the most successful in history. He allegedly managed at least fifty cocaine deliveries into America, earning $1 million per run. Despite these activities, Deborah DuBois claims to have remained entirely unaware of his illicit pursuits. She asserts that she believed him to be an aircraft and a broker involved in facilitating rentals of old airplanes for promotional purposes. Deborah admitted to having complete trust in her husband. She never questioned his actions and attests to never witnessing him with drugs.

Deborah DuBois’ Life Following Barry’s Demise

Upon Barry’s demise, Deborah experienced profound despair as authorities confiscated her husband’s possessions and property. Note that those assets were the results of illicit deals and drug possession. Speaking to The Daily Mail, Deborah DuBois mentioned that she now has to support herself and their three children solely through Barry Seal’s life insurance. Despite Barry’s claims of wealth amounting to a million dollars, his demise left Deborah facing the challenges of financial security without him.

The Legal Dispute

Barry Seal’s narrative has been adapted into films like “Crossed Double” (1991), “Invader” (2016), and “American Made” (2017). Imagine Entertainment under Universal Pictures produced the latter, following the acquisition of Barry’s life rights from Deborah for $350,000. However, this transaction led to a legal dispute when Lisa Seal Frigon, Barry’s eldest daughter from his first marriage and current manager of his estate, filed a lawsuit in the 19th Judicial District Court. In the lawsuit, she alleged that Deborah DuBois and her three children conveyed Barry Seal’s life story rights to the film company without proper authorization, a matter that should have been addressed with either the court or the estate.

Furthermore, District Judge Don Johnson noted inaccuracies in the script, such as Barry Seal having five children, whereas the film only depicted his three children with Deborah. Lisa further contended that the script misrepresented her father as a drunk and reckless pilot, causing harm to the commercial value of his persona and diminishing the worth of his estate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Deborah DuBois’ life intricately entwined with the infamous Barry Seal, unfolds a nuanced story of love, secrecy, and challenges. From their initial encounter to Barry’s enigmatic demise, Deborah steadfastly supported her husband, even amid the legal and criminal controversies that enveloped him. The aftermath, characterized by legal disputes over Barry’s life rights and cinematic representations, introduces another layer to this captivating narrative.

FAQs

1. Were there legal disputes after Barry Seal’s death?

Yes, there were legal disputes, particularly regarding the rights to Barry Seal’s life story. Lisa Seal Frigon, Barry’s eldest daughter, filed a lawsuit claiming misrepresentation in the film industry and unauthorized passing of life story rights by Deborah and her children.

2. How does Deborah DuBois navigate her life post-Barry Seal?

Deborah DuBois continues to face challenges, living on Barry Seal’s life insurance to support herself and their three children. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the complexities that come with having a relationship with infamous figures.

3. What is the legacy of Barry Seal?

Barry Seal’s legacy includes his involvement in drug smuggling, legal troubles, and becoming an informant. The legal battles and controversies surrounding his life remain a significant chapter in the broader narrative of American crime and justice.