Inside Jim Nabors’ Hawaii Home, Where He Lived with His Husband for 40 Years Until His Passing

Jim Nabors lived secretly as a homosexual man for most of his life until he came out due to a significant milestone. He lived with his husband until his death, and their main residence eventually sold for less than its asking price.

Jim Nabors left Hollywood and moved to Hawaii, where he lived full-time with his husband, Stan Cadwallader. The Honolulu home where they lived — and where the actor passed away — was sold a few years after his death. Here’s what we know about the couple’s background and how they came to own property in Hawaii.

Jim Nabors at the Indy 500 on May 25, 2014, in Indianapolis, Indiana | Source: Getty Images.

Marrying the Man Who’d Live With Him Until Death.

In 1975, Nabors met Cadwallader, who was then working as a firefighter in Honolulu. Geoffrey Mark — an entertainment performer, author, and pop culture historian — provided some insight into the couple’s relationship.

He recalled that Cadwallader had always been part of Nabors’ life. While many referred to him as a firefighter, he was also the star’s manager. Cadwallader began working for Nabors before they started a romantic relationship.

While working full-time in Hollywood during the 1960s and 70s, Nabors revealed he was open about being homosexual with friends and co-workers, especially those involved in “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Gomer Pyle, USMC.” Speaking about his long-term relationship with Cadwallader, he said, “I haven’t ever made a public spectacle of it.”.

The actor explained he had known he was gay since childhood, adding, “I’ve never made a huge secret of it at all.” He continued, “This is really no big deal. My friend and I, my partner, we went through all of this 38 years ago.”.

Jim Nabors and Carol Burnett on “The Carol Burnett Show” in 1971 | Source: Getty Images.

Before they officially tied the knot, Nabors explained, “So I mean, we made our vows and that was it. It was to each other, but nevertheless, we were a couple.” According to the book “Rube Tube: CBS and Rural Comedy in the Sixties,” Nabors was confirmed to have been a closeted gay man publicly.

Rumors circulated largely because he was not known to have romantic relationships. Among them was speculation that he and Rock Hudson were romantically involved. When asked to advise younger homosexuals beginning to navigate their sexual orientation, the actor responded that he didn’t have any advice to offer.

Jim Nabors as Gomer Pyle in “Return to Mayberry” in 1986 | Source: Getty Images.

He explained he didn’t believe he was qualified to give such guidance because he handled his circumstances in his own way. Nabors added, “And you don’t ever understand what people look down on you, or say cruel things to you about that sort of thing, but nevertheless, that’s just life, and you just have to get above it.”.

Jim Nabors at the TV Land Awards in Hollywood, California, on March 17, 2004 | Source: Getty Images.

Although he never publicly came out earlier in life, Nabors finally acknowledged his sexuality after marrying his partner. He wed Cadwallader on January 15, 2013. The couple held their ceremony in Seattle, and during a phone interview, Nabors revealed they traveled to Washington state to legally formalize their union.

Jim Nabors during the Indianapolis 500 parade on May 24, 2014, in Indiana | Source: Getty Images.

So, the star and his partner had a judge officiate their ceremony in a room at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. A few of their friends — who lived down the street near their Diamond Head, Hawaii, residence — joined them.

They traveled there after same-sex marriage became legal in Washington state in December 2012. Back in Hawaii, Nabors explained their decision, saying, “I was just trying to solidify all of our years together.” He reiterated, “When you find a good friend in this life, you hang on to him.”.

A view of Jim Nabors’ Honolulu home on January 8, 2019 | Source: YouTube/WTHR.

Before the marriage, Nabors remarked, “It’s pretty obvious that we had no rights as a couple, yet when you’ve been together 38 years, I think something’s got to happen there, you’ve got to solidify something. And at my age, it’s probably the best thing to do.”.

A view of the living room in Jim Nabors’ Honolulu home | Source: Facebook/Hawaii News Now.

He continued, “I’m 82 and he’s in his 60s and so we’ve been together for 38 years and I’m not ashamed of people knowing, it’s just that it was such a personal thing, I didn’t tell anybody.” The actor said he felt “very happy” and “very blessed” to have had a partner for 38 years.

The year following their marriage, when the singer was congratulated, he said he and his “old good buddy” and “best friend” got married for “legal reasons.” He shared an incident that helped influence their decision.

A window view outside from Jim Nabors’ Honolulu home | Source: Facebook/Hawaii News Now.

One day, Cadwallader took Nabors to the emergency room. After leaving to park the car, Cadwallader could not find his partner because the hospital staff refused him access since he was not considered family. This was one of the reasons they got married.

Despite his marriage, Nabors said he had no desire to debate homosexual rights to marriage. He emphasized that he wasn’t a debater, acknowledging that everyone held their own opinion.

Jim Nabors at the Junior League of Los Angeles Carnivale Gala on March 12, 2004, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images.

The celebrity further explained that he wasn’t an activist and never participated in advocacy campaigns. The only time he engaged in a campaign was in 2012 when he recorded a radio spot for former Hawaii Governor Ben Cayetano.

Lars Anderson and Jim Nabors before a race at the 97th Indianapolis 500 in Indianapolis, on May 26, 2013 | Source: Getty Images.

Nabors made the recording to support Cayetano’s campaign for Honolulu mayor, solely because of his close friendship with the former governor and his wife. Afterward, the star and his husband focused on building a peaceful life in Hawaii.

How Nabors Ended up Living in Hawaii.

From 1969, Nabors hosted “The Jim Nabors Hour” for two seasons. On the variety show, he joked with guest stars, performed country and opera songs, and acted in sketches alongside Frank Sutton and fellow “Gomer” veteran Ronnie Schell.

After the show ended, Nabors continued earning substantial income in Las Vegas showrooms and concert venues nationwide. He recorded over two dozen albums and performed with the Dallas and St. Louis symphony orchestras.

Even before Nabors’ marriage, the couple relocated to Hawaii in 1976. There, they purchased a 500-acre macadamia ranch in Maui and ran it successfully. Although he occasionally took on television roles, during the late 1970s, Nabors performed for 10 months each year at Hilton Hotels in Hawaii.

A view of Jim Nabors’ Maui estate on December 1, 2017 | Source: YouTube/WTHR.

This hectic schedule eventually affected his health, leading to an ulcer. Nabors later said, “I was completely burned out,” adding, “I’d had it with the bright lights.” According to Geoffrey, the actor began to work less and less once settled in Hawaii.

The author continued, “He was happy in his life, happy not having to worry about what people were saying about him. And he found his personal serenity there.” Geoffrey also praised Nabors for indirectly coming out.

The ocean-view at Jim Nabors’ Maui estate | Source: YouTube/WTHR.

He said, “And good for him and good for him going public before others did. So with Jim you had another celebrity showing you that there was no reason to stay in the shadows.”.

Besides the ranch, Nabors and his husband also owned a 170-acre property in Hana, located in a remote part of East Maui, as well as a luxury beachfront home in Honolulu. The Hana estate was simpler and emphasized a relaxed pace of life.

Jim Nabors on the Maui estate where he lived with his husband | Source: YouTube/WTHR.

The estate featured fruit trees, large banyan trees, tropical flowers, and stunning ocean views. Built in 1979, the property included a two-bedroom main house and a two-bedroom ohana dwelling — together offering about 5,000 square feet of living space.

Located just off the Hana Highway, approximately three miles from the Hana Airport, the home had bright interiors and sunlit decks. Sadly, after years of happiness, Cadwallader lost his beloved husband.

A view of Jim Nabors’ Maui estate | Source: YouTube/WTHR.

Saying farewell in His Honolulu Home.

A few years after their wedding, Cadwallader’s husband, the baritone-voiced singer, passed away on November 30, 2017, at the age of 87, in their Honolulu home. Cadwallader confirmed his death, stating that Nabors’ health had been declining over the prior year.

A view of one of the bedrooms in Jim Nabors Diamond Head home | Source: Facebook/Hawaii News Now.

He also revealed that his late husband’s immune system had remained suppressed since undergoing a liver transplant in 1994. The transplant followed a hepatitis B infection he contracted in India after cutting himself shaving with a contaminated straight razor purchased there.

A view inside of Jim Nabors’ Honolulu home | Source: Facebook/Hawaii News Now.

At the time of his death, the couple had owned their Diamond Head home for over 40 years.

A view of Jim Nabors’ pool in his Diamond Head home in a post dated January 11, 2019 | Source: Facebook/Hawaii News Now.

In a past interview, it was mentioned that they often spent time in their enclosed patio, overlooking the pool and a gate that opened onto a beach and a small cove.

A view of the beachfront from Jim Nabors’ Honolulu home | Source: Facebook/Hawaii News Now.

Beyond the cove lay a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean.

A view of the beachfront at Jim Nabors’ Honolulu home | Source: Facebook/Hawaii News Now.

Nabors lived with his husband in Hawaii while managing health problems, including severe asthma, a reconstructed knee, a pacemaker, and a new heart valve.

A view of Jim Nabors’ Honolulu home that sold for $12 million | Source: YouTube/WTHR.

In 2015, the couple shared that they had no plans to travel farther than their Hana farm. Reflecting on their life, Nabors said, “We live in Hawaii because we love it here. There is no reason to go anywhere else. There are no regrets, only gratitude.”.

Jim Nabors talking about acquiring his Honolulu home | Source: YouTube/WTHR.

Parts of the actor’s estate were sold after his passing. In January 2019, Nabors’ 5,877-square-foot Hawaii home was sold for $12 million. Among its features, the Diamond Head Beachfront Estate included five bedrooms and six bathrooms.

The home sold for $3 million below the asking price. Built in 1950 and renovated in 1996, the property held great sentimental value for Jim Nabors. He once shared it was his favorite place on Earth.

He discovered the land after visiting it with Carol Burnett. She initially doubted he was serious about buying it, but he went ahead — and it became his joy and the setting for lasting memories with Cadwallader.