Winnipeg Couple's Remarkable Transformation from Homelessness to Happily Married

As of November 2025, Claudemier and Deidra Bighetty, a Winnipeg couple, have come a long way from their days of homelessness and addiction. The two met on the streets several years ago, both struggling with substance abuse issues. Claudemier, 49, had spent most of a decade living on the streets and over 23 years in custody, while Deidra, 39, had left her home due to a domestic abuse situation.

However, the couple's lives have taken a remarkable turn. Claudemier is set to celebrate 2 years of sobriety on October 28, 2025, while Deidra is marking her 19-month milestone. They recently tied the knot in a traditional ceremony, following their August 2025 church wedding. The newlyweds are now focused on rebuilding their lives, with Claudemier working as an outreach worker and Deidra on the verge of getting her high school diploma.

The couple's journey has not been an easy one, as they battled addictions to fentanyl, methamphetamine, and alcohol. At one point, their substance abuse was so severe that the staff at St. Boniface Street Links, a local organization that helps people get off the streets, feared they might not survive. However, with the organization's support and their own determination, Claudemier and Deidra have managed to turn their lives around, serving as an inspiration to others facing similar challenges.