I have to be honest, when I first stumbled upon Mary Marquardt, I didn’t think too much of it. She was just a name buried in the footnotes of Harrison Ford’s biography.
However, after a little research, what I discovered about Mary Marquardt floored me.
Before Harrison Ford became Han Solo, he was a regular carpenter married to Mary Marquardt. They had a happy life, that is, until fame got to Ford’s head and he blew their relationship up with an affair with Carrie Fisher!
We have a lot to unpack today, so buckle up for everything you should know about Mary Marquardt.
Who Is Mary Marquardt?
Mary Marquardt is Harrison Ford’s first wife, the woman who stayed by his side when he was financially struggling as a carpenter. They were married from 1964 to 1979 and had two kids together.
Mary Marquardt’s Background
Mary was born in 1945 to an average family in the United States. An all-American girl in every sense, Marquardt was bright and energetic. She had a passion for art and food, and was even part of the cheerleading team in college!
Mary Marquardt’s Early Relationship With Harrison Ford
Mary Marquardt and Harrison Ford met at Ripon College in Wisconsin. She was studying liberal arts, while Ford was earning a philosophy and English degree.
Back then, Harrison Ford was a quiet guy who joined the drama club to help overcome his shyness. Eventually, Ford developed a love for acting, and Mary Marquardt supported him through his hobbies.
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The two got married in 1964, and Harrison Ford worked as a carpenter for more than a decade to support his family.
Why Did Mary Marquardt and Harrison Ford Divorce?
Fame and fortune can change a man, and this is precisely what happened to Harrison Ford. After Harrison Ford received a breakout role as Han Solo in Star Wars, Marquardt claims they just drifted apart.
It wasn’t until 2016 that Carrie Fisher (Yes, Princess Leia!) admitted to having an affair with Harrison Ford while he was married to Mary Marquardt.
On Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher’s Affair
In 2016, Carrie Fisher published a book titled The Princess Diarist, where she showed excerpts from her diaries as a teenager. This included the times when she was acting as Princess Leia in Star Wars.
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She shares how, when she was only 19, she had a three-month-long affair with Harrison Ford, who was already 33!
The book is a painful read, especially when she mentions how Harrison Ford was always ready to sleep with her. Yet, he never reciprocated her feelings of love.
When she was asked during interviews whether she kept the affair secret out of respect for Melissa Mathison, Fisher explains, “No, not at all. Melissa always felt it was not that big of a deal. But then she wasn’t the wife.”
In short, Carrie Fisher regretted the affair because of how it must have affected Mary Marquardt.
What Was Life Like for Mary Marquardt After the Divorce?
The divorce wasn’t easy for Mary Marquardt, but she stayed resilient and rebuilt her life. Here’s what happened after she split from Harrison Ford.
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1. She Worked as a Chef
Mary Marquard has always loved art and food.
After the divorce, she took charge of her life and enrolled in culinary school. She then worked at a restaurant in California where Harrison Ford was a co-owner.
According to her son, Mary Marquardt made the best food ever. Even as a chef, he could never replicate his mother’s roasted chicken.
On top of this, she also earned extra money as an illustrator.
2. She Raised Two Children
Mary Marquardt dedicated her life to raising her kids with Harrison Ford.
Her first son, Ben Ford, followed in her footsteps and became a successful chef and cookbook author in LA. Harrison Ford often visits his son’s restaurant with his current wife, Calista Flockhart.
On the other hand, Marquardt’s second son, Willard, is an entrepreneur at heart. He first opened Kim Sing Theatre, a showroom and theater in LA. His place is where events for BMW, Nike, and Star Wars took place.
After the theater closed, Willard Ford established the Strong Sports Gym.
Image source: Instagram
3. She Got Remarried
When Ben Ford shared about his life growing up, he revealed that Mary Marquardt remarried! Her new husband is Bob Becker, the director of shows like Dallas and Knots Landing.
Ben says he absolutely loved cooking with his stepdad, and he felt like he got the best of both worlds with his parents.
4. She Battled Multiple Sclerosis
Unfortunately, Mary Marquardt was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the late 1980s. It’s a progressive disease that eventually required her to use a wheelchair. Still, she never let her illness take over her life.
In fact, her kids never realized that Mary Marquardt had MS as they were growing up. She continued to cook and garden as usual.
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Are Mary Marquardt and Harrison Ford on Good Terms?
Yes. Mary Marquardt remained on good terms even after the divorce. When you ask her to comment on their relationship, she says Harrison was supportive of her throughout the years.
It was Harrison Ford who helped her pay the medical bills for her multiple sclerosis. Plus, he also bought her a house.
According to Marquardt, Harrison Ford is a close friend who always stuck by her through thick and thin.
What Happened to Harrison Ford After the Divorce?
After the divorce, Harrison Ford remarried twice. His second wife was Melissa Mathison, a screenwriter known for movies like E.T. and BFG. They had two children together.
Harrison Ford met his third wife, Calista Flockhart, at the 59th Golden Globe Awards. Flockhart is 22 years younger than Ford, but they overcame the age gap and remain married to this day!
What Does Harrison Ford Think About Mary Marquardt?
Unlike his cold reaction towards Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford has always treated his first wife with love and respect. He says he regrets leaving her in the first place.
Where Is Mary Marquardt Now?
At 80, Mary Marquard lives a happy and quiet life away from the media. She still occasionally cooks for her family, and she’s picked up hobbies like listening to jazz and watching movies.
Image source: Instagram
Conclusion
It’s sad to think that Harrison Ford and Mary Marquardt had to split because of fame and fortune. They have supported each other and remained close friends throughout the years.
Still, Mary Marquardt did well for herself after the divorce. She found a new love and raised two successful kids. Her story is an inspirational tale of resilience and forgiveness!
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