In the world of celebrity relationships, some stories remain hidden under the glitz and glamour, overshadowed by more public controversies. One such story is the brief but intriguing marriage between Bert Girigorie and Wendy Williams. Wendy Williams, known for her bold media personality, high-profile controversies, and tumultuous personal life, was once married to Bert Girigorie — a name not many are familiar with. This article explores their relationship, shedding light on Girigorie’s life before, during, and after his time with Williams. From his early background to the reasons behind their short-lived union, here is a comprehensive and newly updated account of Bert Girigorie’s story.
Quick Bio Table: Bert Girigorie
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bert Girigorie |
| Date of Birth | March 13, 1964 |
| Birthplace | Charlotte, North Carolina, USA |
| Age | 61 years (as of 2025) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Education | Morehouse College |
| Profession | Marketing Executive, Entrepreneur |
| Known For | First husband of Wendy Williams |
| Relationship Status | Divorced |
| Spouse (Ex) | Wendy Williams (m. 1994 – div. 1995) |
| Children | None |
| Current Residence | Charlotte, North Carolina, USA |
Who is Bert Girigorie?
Bert Girigorie is a marketing and sales professional based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Unlike the more flamboyant lifestyle of his ex-wife Wendy Williams, Bert has led a relatively quiet and private life. He graduated from Morehouse College, a prestigious historically Black men’s college in Atlanta, Georgia, where he earned a degree in marketing. Post-graduation, Bert embarked on a professional career in sales and business development and eventually worked with several reputable firms before becoming a marketing executive.
How Did Bert Girigorie Meet Wendy Williams?
Bert Girigorie met Wendy Williams in the early 1990s when she was working as a radio DJ. At the time, Wendy was building her career in urban radio and had begun making waves with her candid on-air personality. The two crossed paths while she was working at a New York radio station. According to sources close to both parties, their chemistry was instant, and they started dating soon afterward. Their relationship developed during a time when Wendy was on the rise but not yet the household name she would become in the 2000s.
Marriage and Media Silence
The couple got married in 1994, a fact not widely known due to how low-profile the relationship remained. At the time, Wendy Williams was climbing the ladder in the competitive world of radio and was beginning to gain notoriety. However, the marriage was short-lived, and within a year, they had separated. By 1995, the couple had divorced. The silence surrounding their marriage was intentional; both kept the relationship away from the public eye, something very rare in today’s era of social media and 24/7 media coverage.
Reasons Behind Their Split
The split between Bert Girigorie and Wendy Williams was not acrimonious, but it was rooted in deep incompatibility. Bert later revealed in rare interviews that he felt Wendy was a completely different person behind closed doors. He alluded to her unpredictable behavior, which he couldn’t fully understand or manage. Years later, Wendy herself admitted to struggles with drug addiction during that time — a factor that likely contributed to the breakdown of the marriage.
Girigorie has never publicly shamed Wendy or spoken ill of her. Instead, he has maintained a respectful distance and has rarely spoken in detail about their time together, which adds a sense of dignity and maturity to his character.
Wendy Williams’ Personal Struggles
During the time of her marriage to Bert Girigorie, Wendy Williams was dealing with personal demons, including substance abuse. Wendy has openly discussed her struggles with cocaine in the 1990s, which overlapped with her brief marriage. In her 2003 memoir and her later talk show revelations, she admitted that her drug problems had a significant impact on her personal relationships. While she never directly blamed her addiction for the failure of her marriage to Bert, it’s clear that her lifestyle was a contributing factor.
Bert Girigorie’s Life After the Divorce
After the divorce, Bert Girigorie chose a path of discretion and professional focus. He did not seek media attention or capitalize on his association with Wendy Williams. Instead, he focused on building his career in digital marketing and entrepreneurship. Bert went on to start his own marketing firm based in Charlotte, offering digital strategy and business consulting services. As of 2025, he is a well-respected figure in the Charlotte business community and remains entirely uninvolved in entertainment or media circles.
Public Statements and Rare Interviews
Though Bert Girigorie has largely stayed silent over the years, he did make brief public comments in the late 2010s when Wendy Williams’ personal life became tabloid fodder, especially during her divorce from Kevin Hunter. In one rare interview, Bert expressed sympathy for her struggles but reiterated that they had not been in touch for decades. He emphasized that his decision to speak was not out of malice but to correct some misinformation floating around regarding their past.
The Contrast Between Two Lives
The post-divorce lives of Bert and Wendy couldn’t have been more different. Wendy Williams went on to become a television icon, hosting The Wendy Williams Show from 2008 to 2021, while also dealing with numerous personal and professional controversies. Bert, on the other hand, built a quiet and stable life away from the limelight. His choice to stay grounded, despite being linked to a high-profile celebrity, reveals his character and preference for privacy over publicity.
Did Bert Girigorie Remarry?
As of current available information, Bert Girigorie has not remarried. He has kept his romantic life out of the public domain, and no credible sources have reported a new marriage or long-term relationship. This further supports the idea that Girigorie prefers a private life, centered around his career and family, rather than public relationships.
Bert’s Current Endeavors
Today, Bert Girigorie is a successful entrepreneur. He owns a marketing and digital strategy firm that caters to small and medium-sized businesses. He is also involved in community outreach programs and has participated in mentoring events for young Black professionals in the Charlotte area. His continued success is a testament to his resilience and focus — qualities that have defined him post-divorce.
Wendy Williams in Retrospect
Looking back, Wendy Williams has had a turbulent yet trailblazing career. From battling addiction to experiencing health issues like Graves’ disease and lymphedema, her personal battles have often mirrored her public challenges. Her marriages — both to Bert Girigorie and later Kevin Hunter — have been part of her journey, though Girigorie remains the more mysterious figure in her personal timeline.
Why This Story Matters
In an age where relationships of public figures are under constant scrutiny, the story of Bert Girigorie and Wendy Williams provides a rare glimpse into a marriage that was real but almost forgotten. It’s a reminder that not every relationship ends in drama, and sometimes, people part ways for personal growth. It also highlights the impact personal struggles can have on a marriage, particularly in the high-pressure world of media and fame.
Final Thoughts
The marriage between Bert Girigorie and Wendy Williams may have been brief, but it played a crucial role in both of their lives. For Wendy, it marked a formative period before her explosion into stardom. For Bert, it was a private chapter that he has left behind as he built a stable, respected life in business. Though the details may be few, the legacy of their short-lived union offers valuable insight into the challenges of love, fame, and personal growth.
FAQs
Who is Bert Girigorie and what is he known for?
Bert Girigorie is a marketing executive and entrepreneur based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is best known as the first husband of talk show host Wendy Williams. Though he maintains a low public profile, his brief marriage to Williams in the mid-1990s brought him some attention. Bert holds a degree from Morehouse College and runs a marketing firm that supports small businesses in the southeastern U.S. His life after the divorce has been defined by professionalism and discretion, setting him apart from the usual media narrative surrounding celebrity ex-spouses.
Why did Bert Girigorie and Wendy Williams get divorced?
The marriage between Bert Girigorie and Wendy Williams ended due to personal incompatibilities and the challenges they faced early in their relationship. According to Girigorie, Wendy displayed erratic behavior that he couldn’t understand at the time. In later years, Wendy admitted to battling substance addiction during that period, which likely contributed to the breakdown of the marriage. Their differing lifestyles, goals, and emotional disconnect ultimately led to a divorce just a year after getting married.
Did Bert Girigorie ever speak about Wendy Williams publicly?
Yes, but only rarely. Bert Girigorie has made a few public comments about his marriage to Wendy Williams, particularly when her second marriage was making headlines. He expressed concern for her well-being and clarified that they had not been in contact for decades. However, he avoided making sensational claims and instead provided a level-headed perspective on their brief union. His few interviews show a desire to distance himself from the drama while still acknowledging their shared history.
What is Bert Girigorie doing now?
Bert Girigorie is currently running a successful digital marketing firm in Charlotte, North Carolina. His company focuses on digital strategy, brand development, and marketing solutions for small businesses. Aside from his entrepreneurial ventures, Bert is involved in mentoring young professionals and participates in local business events. He leads a quiet, stable life, far removed from the celebrity circles that his ex-wife inhabits.
How does Bert Girigorie’s life differ from Wendy Williams’ life today?
The contrast between Bert and Wendy’s lives is striking. Wendy Williams became a household name through her radio and TV careers, but her life has also been marred by addiction, health issues, and very public relationship troubles. Bert, on the other hand, has stayed away from the media spotlight and focused on building a professional and stable life. While Wendy’s journey has been high-profile and tumultuous, Bert’s has been private, consistent, and grounded.
