Mary Marquardt Age, Bio, Career, Husband, Divorced, & More
Mary Marquardt, once celebrated for her talents in both illustration and cooking, became widely known as the first wife of the famous Hollywood actor, Harrison Ford. Despite keeping a low profile and steering clear of media attention, Mary played a crucial role in supporting Ford during his early days in the acting world.
Their marriage and subsequent separation drew considerable public interest, mainly because of Ford’s status as a celebrity. However, after they went their separate ways, Mary focused on raising their two sons and pursuing her own professional passions. She found joy in cooking and creating art, all while maintaining a dignified silence about her ex-husband’s highly publicized relationships.
Mary’s story demonstrates the tenacity of a lady who overcame a number of obstacles, such as the spotlight of a well-publicized divorce and health problems. She nevertheless overcame these challenges with poise and tenacity, blazing her own trail to achievement in her own time.
Personal Profile
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Mary Marquardt |
| Date of Birth | 1945 |
| Age | 79 years old |
| Place of Birth | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnic Background | Caucasian |
| Height | 5 feet 5 inches |
| Weight | 128 pounds |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Relationship Status | Divorced |
| No. of Children | Two, Benjamin Ford and Williard Ford |
| Spouse | Harrison Ford (Ex-husband) |
| Profession | Chef |
| Educational Background | Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts, Ripon College, Wisconsin |
Early Life & Biography
Despite being born in the US in 1945, not much is known about Mary Marquardt’s early years. She came from a regular American upbringing and attended Ripon College in Wisconsin during the 1960s.
Mary pursued her hobbies for cooking, painting, and sketching while attending college. It was there that she first crossed paths with Harrison Ford, another student, in one of her classes.
Little did Mary realize then that this chance meeting would eventually lead to her marrying a man who would go on to become one of Hollywood’s most prominent figures. In those early days, Ford himself was still striving to make his mark in the acting world.
Mary Marquardt Relationship
Early in the 1960s, while Mary Marquardt was an undergraduate at Ripon, Harrison Ford and she fell in love. In 1964, when they were still in their teens and caught up in the whirlwind of adolescent love, they got married.
At just 20 years old, Mary became Harrison’s partner as he pursued his acting dreams. While he chased roles, she worked part-time to support their growing family.
Their lives were similar to many 1960s young couples’. Benjamin Ford, their first child, was born in 1966, and three years later, Willard Ford, their second son, joined them.
But the pressures increased as Harrison’s career took off, particularly with his breakthrough performance in “American Graffiti” in 1973 and his subsequent success with “Star Wars.” Mary discovered herself balancing the roles of a committed mother and wife of a rising celebrity in Hollywood. The demands of fame challenged their love in the middle of Tinseltown’s glitter and grandeur.
Raising a Family and Living as Mrs. Harrison Ford
Mary Marquardt devoted herself completely to her role as Harrison Ford’s wife. Throughout the whirlwind of Hollywood, she offered unwavering support and a sense of stability from the sanctuary of their home.
Mary’s primary focus was raising their two children, Benjamin and Willard. She navigated the challenges of parenthood while being married to a prominent actor. Amidst Ford’s fame and fortune, they came together to create a nurturing and loving environment for their kids.
Despite the glare of the spotlight, Mary prioritized keeping their family grounded. She cherished their time together and gave her sons valuable lessons that shaped them into well-rounded people.
Their house was a haven where love and unity flourished under Mary’s direction as a committed wife and mother, not merely a place to hide from the limelight.
Mary Marquardt Childrens
In 1966, the couple gave birth to their first child, Benjamin Ford, and in 1969, they received their second child, Willard Ford.
Mary Marquardt was close to her boys even after her divorce from Harrison Ford.
Benjamin Ford, her oldest son, chose to become a chef in the food industry, carrying on his mother’s legacy.
Mary’s second son, Willard Ford, set out on his own and became successful as a clothier. In addition to Ludwig Clothing Company, he runs Strong Sports facility, a boxing facility located in Los Angeles. Willard is also a co-owner of Ford & Ching.
Willard Ford is a proud father of two children, Guiliana and Eliel.
Both Marquardt and Benjamin Ford collaborated professionally, working together at a restaurant owned by Harrison Ford in Culver City, California.
Benjamin Ford, currently a chef-restaurateur in the United States, often shares photos of his mother on his official Instagram page.
Benjamin Ford has two children, Ethan and Waylan, from different marriages — Ethan from his first marriage with Elizabeth Winkler and Waylan from his second marriage with Emily.
Mary Marquardt Divorced
Mary made many sacrifices and was a pillar of support for Harrison Ford, but as his stardom increased, their relationship started to suffer from the limelight. Their marriage was on the verge of dissolution by the late 1970s when the tension became intolerable.
Engaged in intense labor as a prolific film producer, Harrison frequently found himself working on films such as “Star Wars” and “Apocalypse Now” abroad. The strain was further increased by rumors of a potential affair with his co-star Carrie Fisher.
Mary suffered from the incessant media attention and her husband’s frequent absences. The burden eventually got too much for them, and in 1979 they filed for divorce.
Mary was shocked by the divorce, particularly because she had been married to Hollywood icon Harrison Ford for fifteen years. As a newly single mother, she took on the primary responsibility of raising their teenage sons, Benjamin and Willard Ford.
Despite the challenges, Mary and Harrison maintained a respectful relationship for the sake of their children. Together, they co-parented their sons, making sure they experienced love and security in both homes. With the least amount of disturbance to the children’s life, their family was able to manage the changes brought about by the divorce because to their cooperative attitude.
Later Life and Career
Mary Marquardt took a risk when she decided to put more money into her personal hobbies and professional goals, which had been neglected throughout her highly famous marriage.
She made a risky move in the 1980s and went back to college to properly study and advance her abilities in the culinary and artistic arts. Mary felt liberated to be able to finally follow her longtime desires since for years she had put her family’s necessities before of her personal aspirations.
Mary’s innate aptitude in the kitchen enabled her to follow her dream of becoming a professional chef. She also delved into illustration to further explore her artistic side, deftly fusing her passion for design with her love of cuisine.
In the years that followed, Mary found immense fulfillment in these creative endeavors that had always inspired her. She even teamed up with her son Benjamin Ford, who shared her culinary passion, to collaborate in the restaurant industry. Together, they worked hand in hand at Benjamin’s restaurant, Cafe FX.
Despite her ultimate retirement from the culinary industry in the early 2000s, Mary, who is currently in her late 70s, still treasures the special times she spends with her family, which includes her grandkids.
Mary has made the decision to keep a respectful distance from her ex-husband Harrison Ford despite the constant media attention around his personal life and celebrity. Instead, she focuses on nurturing her close relationship with her sons, Benjamin and Willard, who prefer to keep a low profile. Benjamin’s foray into the restaurant world serves as a beautiful testament to Mary’s own legacy in the food industry, highlighting the strong familial bond they share.
Mary Marquardt Height, Weight & Many More
Mary, who weighs 128 pounds and is 5 feet 5 inches tall, has a well-proportioned body. She finds consolation and resiliency in her Christian religion. With her blonde hair framing her face, she exudes warmth, while her striking blue eyes convey depth and sincerity. These physical features are just one aspect of Mary’s character, adding to her overall charisma and presence.
She Taught Me How to Make Recipes and Gave Me Cooking Lessons
Mary Marquardt’s sickness kept her from cooking, but she was still able to teach her son Ben, who went on to become a chef in his own right, her passion and culinary skills. For Mary, cooking was a means of showing her love for her family as well as a means of supplying food. Ben remembers how his mother taught him the art of cooking by carefully walking him through a variety of dishes.
Despite facing the challenges of her illness, Mary remained committed to raising Ben. In a 2017 interview, Ben revealed that his mother kept her battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) a secret from their family and friends, as the symptoms would often fluctuate unpredictably.
The Other Kids were Playing Football Outside, While My Parents and I were Cooking in the Kitchen
“I was always in the kitchen cooking with my parents instead of kicking a ball around,” Ben fondly remembered. Following his mother’s example of honesty about her MS, Ben has continued her legacy by being open with his own children about the condition. He started the #ReimagineMySelf initiative in 2017 to help people with MS change their lives.
Before retiring in 2001 due to her illness, Marquardt enjoyed a successful career as both an illustrator and a chef. Nowadays, she resides in the US, maintaining a low profile. While her health prevents her from cooking anymore, she finds joy in seeing her son carry on her culinary legacy.
“My mom’s smile has never faded. She is my greatest influence in life because of the way she loves and never, ever gives up. Mom, I love you.” Ben once posted something on Instagram along with a touching photo of his mother.
Harrison Ford’s Post-Divorce Personal Life
Following his 1979 divorce from Mary Marquardt, Harrison Ford entered into other love partnerships. He was in romances with actresses Veronica Cartwright and Melissa Mathison before marrying screenwriter Melissa Mathison in 1983. Despite welcoming a daughter, Georgia, and a son, Malcolm, into the world, Ford and Mathison’s marriage also ended in divorce in 2001.
In 2010, Ford found love again with actress Calista Flockhart, and their marriage has proven to be enduring and steadfast. Despite going through two divorces and navigating subsequent relationships after parting ways with Mary, Ford consistently praises her as an exceptional mother to their sons. He continues to be appreciative of Mary’s grace and honesty in spite of the years of heavy media scrutiny.
Regarding Mary Marquardt, she has made the decision to maintain her privacy and has refrained from making any public remarks regarding her ex-husband’s love affairs or his continuing notoriety as one of Hollywood’s most renowned actors, even as he approaches the age of eighty. Mary has successfully avoided the sensationalism that surrounded her well-known ex-spouse by building an independent life on her own terms.
Harrison Ford Relationship with Carrie Fisher
Media outlets had something to work with during the “Star Wars” filming since there were rumors going around that Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher were dating. Yet Fisher remained silent about the claims until 2016, when she finally revealed the affair in her book “The Princess Diarist.” “It was Carrie and Harrison on the weekend, and Han and Leia during the week,” Fisher said candidly in an interview with People magazine, recounting the emotional experience.
During an appearance on the Today show with Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford, Fisher elaborated on their relationship, describing it as primarily physical and lasting about three months—a “three-month one-night stand,” as she humorously termed it. Despite Fisher’s candid revelations, Ford himself referred to the situation as “strange” in a cover story for GQ magazine.
Is Mary Marquardt Remarried?
Ford’s wife, Marquardt, supported him throughout his ascent to stardom, but their marriage disintegrated when he happened to run upon scriptwriter Melissa Mathison on the “Apocalypse Now” set. They split up after 15 years of dating, with their divorce becoming official in 1979. Although Marquardt never got married again, receiving a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis in the late 1980s was a big new obstacle for her. AmoMama claims that because the symptoms of her disease were so erratic and diverse, she concealed it from others for a very long period.
Marquardt and Ford have two sons, Benjamin Ford and Willard Ford. Benjamin, their oldest child, was born on September 22, 1966, and chose to become a chef to carry on his mother’s culinary legacy. It took Ben some time to realize the full degree of his mother’s ailment; he reportedly didn’t see anything wrong with her when he was a toddler. Despite the lack of a cure for MS, Marquardt courageously learned to navigate and adapt to life with the illness for over 35 years.
Mary Marquardt Net Worth
Mary Marquardt’s exact net worth isn’t public knowledge, but estimates place it around $4 million.
Her talent in the kitchen greatly contributed to her financial stability. Mary’s exceptional culinary skills earned her a stellar reputation in the food industry. She even helmed the culinary team at a renowned restaurant in California, coincidentally owned by her ex-husband.
After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the early 2000s, Mary’s son Benjamin took up cooking, carrying on her culinary legacy with his own passion for food.
Mary Marquardt Social Media Account
You won’t discover much information on Mary Marquardt on social networking. Given that she belongs to a generation that predates the social networking age, that is not surprising.
However, Mary does have an Instagram profile, though it’s followed by only a modest 29 people.
Her son, Benjamin, is much more active on social media. With over 17,000 Instagram followers, he often posts about his culinary adventures.
Where Is Mary Marquardt Now?
After her divorce from Ford, Marquardt forged ahead with her career, landing a job as a chef at a Filling Station in Culver City, California, coincidentally owned by her ex-husband. Raising two teenage boys on her own was no small feat, but life dealt her another blow when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in the late 1980s—a condition that affects the central nervous system and spinal cord, with no cure in sight.
Her son Benjamin drew inspiration from his mother’s resilience in the face of MS and became involved in the Reimagine MySelf program. With the help of this project, people with MS will be able to navigate the difficulties presented by their chronic condition and adjust to their new reality. Despite erroneous claims of her demise in 2018, Marquardt is still fighting the illness. Her sons have now taken on the responsibility of caring for her.
Final Verdicts
Mary Marquardt’s life exemplifies resilience and familial devotion amidst Hollywood’s tumultuous spotlight. Beyond being Harrison Ford’s ex-wife, she forged her own path, finding joy in cooking and art while raising her sons with strength. Her legacy thrives through Benjamin, who carries her culinary passion. Despite a modest social media presence, her impact resonates widely. As she faces the challenges of MS with courage, Mary embodies quiet strength and the enduring power of family bonds. Her story is a monument to perseverance, encouraging people to face life’s obstacles head-on with dignity and tenacity, and making a lasting impression on everyone she meets.
