In 1941, Bergen met 19-year-old Frances Westerman, a young fashion model, who had graduated from Los Angeles High School the prior year. He spotted her in the live audience of his radio program, where she was the guest of one of his staff members. From Westerman's front-row seat, her legs caught the attention of 38-year-old Bergen, who asked to meet her. A long-distance courtship, spanning years, ensued. The two were eventually married, in Mexico, on June 28, 1945. On May 9, 1946, Frances gave birth to future actress Candice Bergen, whose first performances were on Bergen's radio show. The couple's second child was film and television editor Kris Bergen. Frances also acted, appearing in several movies, co-starring in the 1958 television series Yancy Derringer, and guest-starring in many other shows.