Adrift Author Tami Oldham Ashcraft Has Inspired Many From Her Books Based On True Story
William Jenkins
Published Mar 04, 2026
Tami Oldham married Edward Ashcraft after the death of her fiance Richard. She is an American sailor and author who survived 41 days adrift in the Pacific Ocean in 1983. Her real-life story inspired a movie called Adrift in 2018.
She is also the proprietor of Finish Line Auto Repair and a Category-Follt Hurricane Survival expert.
In addition, Tami’s autobiography, Red Sky in Mourning, is all about a true love story and surviving at sea. The biographical film “Adrift,” about her fight to escape the hurricane storm, was also released on June 1, 2018.
Tami Oldham Ashcraft Is Married To Edward Ashcraft With 2 Children
The famous author Tami Oldham is married to Edward Ashcraft, businessman and creator of Ashcraft Homes Inc.
The couple together had two children. It is rumored that the couple tied the knot and took the vow in 1994. They named their first daughter Kellie Ashcraft and their second daughter Brooke Ashcraft.
Before marrying Edward, Tami was engaged to Richard Sharp. Richard Sharp, a 34-year-old British sailor, was hired to transport the 13-meter sailboat Hazaa from Tahiti to San Diego in 1983.
He was accompanied on the trip by Ashcraft, 23 at the time. On September 22, the couple departed Papeete Harbor.
The disaster happened three weeks into their journey. Category 4-hurricane Raymond caught the pair off guard by veering off course earlier than anticipated.
The pair tried to withstand the storm since they were already in its path by putting on raincoats and boarding the yacht. Unfortunately, when they did, the little ship was hit by 140 mph gusts and seas that were 40 feet high.
Sharp instructed that as he buckled himself into the safety belt, Ashcraft boarded herself up below deck. Before the boat capsized, she heard Sharp yell, “Oh my god,” as she shut the door. Ashcraft was thrown against the wall by force, which rendered her unconscious.
She was surrounded by wreckage when she woke up. The sails were dangling in the sea, the masts had completely broken off, and the main cabin was filled with water. Yet, astonishingly, the ship was still floating.
But Sharp was no longer there. Ashcraft’s fiance was missing, and the safety gear was hanging in the water. Ashcraft thinks that the wind’s force was too much, so he must have been flung into the water and dragged beneath the enormous swells.
She mourned Richard’s death for ten years before marrying Edward.
What Happened To Tami Oldham Ashcraft Older Daughter Kellie?
Kellie Ashcraft was the eldest daughter of Tami Oldham Ashcraft and Edward Ashcraft. Tragically, accidental carbon monoxide poisoning claimed Kelli’s life.
Her loved ones claimed everyone wanted to be around Kelli Ashcraft because she was such a lovely, sparkling light. Her bright, passionate, and distinctive energy made everyone around her grin.
She was intelligent, ambitious, and squeezed a lot of life into her 22 years on this planet. Kelli cherished her family, especially Brook, her younger sister. Her close-knit circle of pals was the most important person in her life.
Gofundme is collecting funds for a campaign in Kelli’s honor to buy Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors, install them, and spread awareness of the dangers of the gas to homes in the San Juan Islands without them.
How Rich Is Tami Oldham Ashcraft In 2022?
The American author is estimated to have a net worth of around $250K.
She owns Finish Line Auto Repair and is a Category 4 hurricane survivor in addition to being a businesswoman.
Additionally, Tami wrote an autobiography titled “Red Sky in Mourning,” about a true love tale and surviving at sea. The biographical film “Adrift,” about her struggle to stay in the hurricane storm, was also released on June 1, 2018.
Speaking of her educational background, she graduated from the University of the Pacific Ocean after completing her studies at Point Loma High School.