If you’re fond of adventure or science fiction movies, you must love watching Harrison Ford’s iconic characters. But do you have any idea about his multiple marriages, especially his first wife, Mary Marquardt? Have you ever wondered what their relationship was really like?
Harrison is famous for his memorable roles, fine; but he also made headlines because of his multiple marriages, partners, and kids. His career is in the context of practices, but if you have any curiosity about his personal life—you are in the right place.
In this article, we are trying to explore Harrison’s first wife, Mary Marquardt, who is a former renowned chef in the US. She was not just Ford’s first wife; she also played a key role in his journey to becoming a Hollywood icon.
How she met Harrison, where their love story began, about their marriage, and how they parted ways – all the data you are going to learn from this article. I’ve some of Marquardt’s early life facts and her career journey also, so that you are going to study more about her. So, let’s discuss our topic in more detail:
Table of Contents
Who is Mary Marquardt?
Mary Marquardt was born in 1945 in the United States. Little is known about her early life, as she has chosen to live a quiet, private life. She is best known for her marriage to Harrison Ford, but before this, she worked as a professional chef. This background in the culinary arts likely influenced her life after marriage, as she chose to continue with her career in the food industry.
A Brief Summary
| Real Name | Mary Marquardt |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of Birth | 1945 |
| Birth Place | United States |
| Age | 80 Years Old (As Of 2025) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Education | Ripon College |
| Profession | Former US Chef |
| Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Partner | Harrison Ford (M. 1964–1979) |
| Children | Ben Ford, Willard Ford |
| Height | 5′ 5″ |
| Weight | 128 Pounds |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Net Worth | $5 Million |
| Famous As | Harrison Ford’s First Wife |
| Alive or Not | Alive |
Early Life and Background
Little information is available about her early life, as Mary Marquardt has maintained a private personal existence. She was raised in a fairly typical American household. Before her marriage to Ford, she probably led a tranquil life, concentrating on her studies and profession.
A Professional Breakthrough
Even without a prominent career in entertainment, Mary Marquardt achieved success in the culinary field. She was an accomplished chef and operated in multiple kitchens, gaining recognition for her abilities in the culinary field.
As you know, the specifics about her early age life and all about her career, let’s dig into the details of her love life, how the love story ends, and why. Let’s explore everything:
The Beginning of Love with Harrison Ford
Mary met Harrison in the early 1960s, and their relationship blossomed into marriage. They both met at Rippon College in Wisconsin. They married in 1964 when Ford was still trying to establish himself in Hollywood. This was a time when Ford was not yet a star, and Mary supported him in the early years of his career.
Supporting Harrison’s Early Career
Mary played an essential role in Ford’s early years in Hollywood. At the time of their marriage, Harrison was still struggling to land significant roles in films. Mary supported him throughout these difficult years. She tries to show patience and encouragement.
However, Ford has said in interviews that her emotional support was invaluable during those times.
Marriage – The Happy Ending
Harrison Ford and Mary Marquardt were married for 15 years. They had two children together: a son named Benjamin, born in 1966, and a son named Willard, born in 1969. The couple appeared to have a loving and supportive relationship during this period, with both parents focusing on raising their family.
However, like many Hollywood relationships, their marriage eventually fell apart.
About Kids
Mary and Harrison had two children, both of whom are relatively private individuals. Their son, Benjamin Ford, became a well-known chef, following in his mother’s footsteps. The couple’s second son, Willard Ford, is a businessman. Both children have managed to stay out of the media spotlight for the most part.
But do you know, their lovely story ended ultimately. Still want to know what happened to them? Then continue reading:
What Happened to Them?
Despite the seemingly perfect family life, Harrison and Mary’s marriage ended in 1979 after 15 years of marriage, just after Ford’s success in the industry. But what is the actual reason for their separation?
How did Mary and Harrison Split Up?
The cause of their split is often speculated but remains private. It’s believed that their relationship ended because of Harrison’s extramarital affair with his Star Wars co-star Carrie Fisher. They both met on the “Star Wars” set. But this rumor is still under suspicion due to its overall truthfulness.
According to the media report, Carrie Fisher revealed that she met Harrison and they had a three-month-long affair, while Harrison was still married to his first wife, Mary Marquardt.
After seeing the publication of Carrie Fisher’s memoir in 2016, Harrison says the media, “strange” to have the news of their affair suddenly out in the open, but didn’t comment further on the matter. Harrison was completely denied the news of his and Carrie’s rumoured affair. However, then, from Carrie’s side—there is no further communication.
Besides those, some reports also say that Mary Marquardt was simply seeking a quiet life away from the media’s limelight.
What Happened with Mary Marquardt After The Divorce?
After her divorce from Harrison Ford, Marquardt chose to live a life out of the public eye. She focused on her career and her children. She reportedly continues to work in the food industry and chose to maintain a private life
However, Mary Marquardt was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and battled with this disease after a few years of her divorced from her ex-husband.
Where is She Now?
As of now, there are no true details about Mary Marquardt’s current residence. However, she has worked as an illustrator for several years now. She prefers to stay out of the limelight, focusing on her personal life. She has occasionally been seen at family events, but she rarely grants interviews or appears in public settings. Given her love for the culinary arts, she may also be involved in that field.
What about Her Ex-Husband, Mr. Harrison Ford?
After getting a divorce from his first wife, Harrison Ford’s career skyrocketed. He became one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood. His iconic roles in numerous blockbuster films just captured viewers’ eyes.
Ford has had several high-profile relationships since his split from Mary. He has married twice more (first to Melissa Mathison, and later to Calista Flockhart).
Mary Marquardt in Media
Unlike her ex-husband, Mary Marquardt has never been a regular presence in the media. While she is occasionally mentioned in the press due to her association with Ford, she rarely speaks about her former marriage or personal life.
Mary Marquardt’s Praised Harrison Ford Till Now
Since their divorce, Mary Marquardt has still been generally supportive of her ex-husband, often praising his achievements and accomplishments. Besides all the hate, she respects his ex-husband, his work, and his legacy.
And that proves that she is a real woman in his own aura.
A Final View
Mary Marquardt lived a relatively quiet life before and after her marriage to Harrison Ford. While Ford went on to become one of Hollywood’s most famous stars, Mary carved out her own path in the culinary world. However, she worked as an illustrator. Though her name is often linked with Ford, she has never been one to seek fame or public attention. Today, she continues to live her life outside the spotlight.
So, viewers, what are the lessons learned from Mary’s overall journey? – that whether you have support and beloved your close ones, and still they cheated on you or something like that—don’t be weak, it’s destiny. Be strong and follow your dream to pursue better than ever”.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is Mary Marquardt still alive?
Ans: Yes, Mary Marquardt is still alive and living a quiet life, avoiding the media spotlight.
Q2. Does Mary Marquardt still work as a chef?
Ans: It is unclear whether Mary is still active in the culinary field, but she was known for her skills as a chef, and she has likely continued in that line of work. According to media reports, she worked as an illustrator.
