William Shatner’s life has been as captivating as his iconic roles in *Star Trek*, marked by a surprisingly complex and lengthy series of relationships. From Hollywood glamour to heartbreaking losses, Shatner’s love life has been a subject of public fascination for decades. Let’s delve into the details of his marriages, exploring the women who shared his life.
William Shatner’s 1st Wife: Gloria Rand
Shatner’s first marriage began in the mid-1950s, a whirlwind romance sparked on the set of the television play *Dreams*. The pair, including daughters Leslie, Lisabeth and Melanie, tied the knot in August 1956. However, after 13 years, the marriage dissolved in 1969. Shatner later described the split as “lopsided” and admitted, “I wasn’t good at being married.” He explained that intense work schedules and evolving needs led to the separation, noting that “each week, new and beautiful — and seemingly available — women showed up on the set.”
William Shatner’s 2nd Wife: Marcy Lafferty
Following his divorce from Rand, Shatner met Marcy Lafferty on the set of the 1970 movie *The Andersonville Trial*. They married in October 1973, but eventually parted ways in 1996. Shatner acknowledged that the failure of their marriage wasn’t her fault, stating that “it takes two to tangle.” He explained that over time, “a husband and wife grow apart,” and that their needs changed. Lafferty once stated, “Life took us apart, and it was time to move on.”
William Shatner’s 3rd Wife: Nerine Kidd
A more turbulent relationship began in 1994 when Shatner met Nerine Kidd at a hotel bar while directing an episode of *Kung Fu: The Legend Continues*. They married in November 1997, against the advice of Shatner’s family and friends, due to Kidd’s struggles with alcoholism. Despite his devotion, Shatner discovered hidden bottles of vodka around the house. Tragically, Kidd died in August 1999 after being found unconscious in the pool of their California home. “I don’t think you ever really get over an event like that,” Shatner recalled in his autobiography, “You deal with the grief, then as that passes, you absorb the substance, and it becomes part of you.” In memory of Nerine, Shatner established the Nerine Shatner Foundation, a charity connected to a halfway house for women.
William Shatner’s 4th Wife: Elizabeth Martin
Following Kidd’s death, hundreds of letters of condolence and support arrived, including one from Elizabeth Martin, who caught Shatner’s eye with her calligraphy. They connected over their shared love of horses and tied the knot in February 2001. Although they divorced in December 2019, they rekindled their relationship, describing themselves as “partners” who “help each other with our lives.” “She understood my grief because she had nursed her husband in cancer for a year and a half, who died about two years before Nerine died,” Shatner explained in an interview on *Larry King Live*. “I lucked out. You met my wife Elizabeth, a most wonderful, loving person.”
Shatner’s life story is a testament to enduring love, loss, and the complex dynamics of relationships. His journey continues to captivate audiences, demonstrating a remarkable resilience and an enduring appreciation for the women who shared his life.