Elizabeth Anderson Martin is best known because of her relationship with William Shatner. Shatner rose to fame thanks to his role in the “Star Trek” series and subsequent movies. His career has extended over decades, but most of the focus has been on the “Star Trek” franchise.
There is no doubt that Shatner is a successful actor, but his love life has not enjoyed the same success. The talented actor has been married four times to different women, but the only woman he ever returned to after a divorce is Elizabeth Anderson Martin.
Keep reading to learn more about her.
Elizabeth Anderson Martin’s Background
As a child, Elizabeth Anderson Martin had a fondness for animals. At age five, she started riding horses, and at eight, she got her first horse, a Galiceno pony. Her equestrian training kicked off in earnest when she clocked 14. Elizabeth chose a career path related to her love for animals, mainly horses.
She attended Purdue University in Indiana and bagged a bachelor’s degree in Equine and Animal Science. After graduation, Elizabeth went on to become a professional horse trainer. At some point, she was also an experienced equine judge.
Who Is Elizabeth Anderson Martin’s First Husband?
The first man Elizabeth Anderson married was Michael Gleen Martin. After their marriage, she took his name and became Elizabeth Anderson Martin.
The couple were married for 15 years and may have lasted longer if Michael had not suddenly passed away in 1997. It took Elizabeth four years to move on, and Shatner was the man who coaxed her out of grief.
When Did William Shatner and Elizabeth Anderson Martin Meet?
Elizabeth Anderson Martin was still grieving when she met William Shatner in 2001. One common thing that united them was their shared love for horses. It helped break the ice between them, but what helped them bond was the tragedy they had both witnessed in life.
Elizabeth lost her husband when she least expected it, and just two years before Shatner met her, he had also lost his third wife, Nerine Kidd. Shatner and Nerine Kidd got married in 1997. Kidd was a model and aspiring actress who was 49 at the time of her death.
Kidd was in the wrong place mentally, and it was so bad that it pushed Shatner to file for divorce before she lost her life. The day she died, Shatner returned home after spending time with one of his daughters to find Kidd passed out at the bottom of their swimming pool.
He quickly dove in, pulled her out, and tried resuscitating her, but nothing worked. The paramedics who arrived not long after also tried their best to revive her but to no avail. Investigations revealed that Kidd had a blood-alcohol level of 0.27%, more than three times the legal driving limit.
It was also confirmed that she downed sleeping pills, too. Doctors believe Kidd dove into the pool, hit her head on the bottom, lost consciousness while under, and drowned.
What Is the Age Difference Between William Shatner and His Wife?
After they met and hit it off, it did not take long for Elizabeth Anderson Martin and William Shatner to decide they wanted to be married. Many eyebrows were raised then because Elizabeth is 27 years younger than the actor.
Still, they have proven age is just a number because their relationship lasted almost two decades after their first marriage. The union has been beneficial to them both. For example, Shatner helped Elizabeth transition into another career as a digital photographer.
It is also thanks to him that she was able to learn more about a movie camera. She has appeared as herself in several projects with Shatner including, “E! True Hollywood Story,” “Life Beyond Trek: William Shatner,” “Gonzo Ballet,” “American Pickers,” “The Captains,” “Splat Attack,” and “The Shatner Project.”
Is William Shatner Still Married?
Yes, William Shatner is currently married. After three years of separation, the talented actor and Elizabeth reconciled earlier this year.
Shatner was the one who initially filed for divorce in 2019, and the proceedings were settled in 2020. As part of the prenuptial, William paid Elizabeth a sum of $2 million while he kept most of his $100 million estate and Star Trek royalties.
Elizabeth also received their Malibu Cove home and their house in Versailles, Kentucky, along with a share of her family farm in Indiana, their 2015 Mercedes Benz ML65, 2007 BMW X5, and a 2004 Ford Explorer. The pair were pictured on their first official outing as a couple since their reconciliation at the Living Legends of Aviation Awards in Beverly Hills.
Other famous couples with lengthy age gaps between them include Amal and George Clooney and Sarah Paulson & Holland Taylor.
