Gae Exton: All About Matthew Reeve’s Mother and Christopher Reeve’s Former Love

Have you ever wondered who came before Dana Reeve in the life of Superman actor Christopher Reeve? That woman is Gae Exton — a quiet, graceful figure who was there before the fame took over. She’s also the mother of Matthew Reeve, who now works in film and carries his father’s legacy.

While Christopher Reeve’s story is known around the world, Gae Exton’s side has rarely been told. She lived a very private life, far from the spotlight. But in recent years, especially after her appearance in the 2024 Super/Man documentary, more people are curious about who she is, what happened to her, and where she is today.

In this article, we’ll take you through everything — her early life, her love story with Reeve, their children, and how she quietly helped shape a beautiful legacy.

Gae Exton Quick Bio


Full Name	Gae Exton
Date of Birth	January 10, 1951
Age (2026)	75 years old
Place of Birth	London, England
Nationality	British
Ethnicity	White
Profession (Past)	Fashion model, Talent agent
Known For	Former partner of Christopher Reeve
Children	Matthew Reeve, Alexandra Reeve Givens
Marital Status	Never married
Current Residence	London, United Kingdom
Social Media	Not active
Famous Appearance	Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (2024)

Who Is Gae Exton?

Gae Exton is a British woman who once worked as a fashion model and talent agent. She was born on January 10, 1951, in London, England. As of 2026, she is 75 years old. Gae has always kept things quiet and private — even when she was in the middle of a high-profile relationship.

She didn’t chase fame, even when the world was paying attention. That’s one of the things people find so interesting about her today. She was once close to one of the most famous men in the world, but she never tried to become famous herself.

Instead, she focused on her life, her children, and staying true to herself. That’s what makes her story so different and so powerful.

Gae Exton’s Life Before Fame

Before the world ever knew her name, Gae had already made a place for herself in the modeling world. In the 1970s and early 1980s, she worked as a fashion model and later became a talent agent. She had style, confidence, and independence.

Even in those early days, Gae was known for being calm, collected, and not interested in showing off. She preferred working behind the scenes and helping others succeed.

She lived in London, surrounded by the energy of the fashion and entertainment world, but she stayed grounded. Little did she know that her life was about to change forever when she met a rising American actor.

How Gae Exton Met Christopher Reeve

Gae Exton met Christopher Reeve sometime in the late 1970s. It’s believed they met while he was working on the original Superman movie, which came out in 1978. At the time, Reeve was just becoming a star — tall, handsome, and charming.

Their meeting may have seemed simple, but it turned into something special. Gae and Christopher connected quickly. They came from different worlds — he was from the U.S., and she was from the U.K. — but they shared a quiet bond.

He was still early in his career, and she wasn’t impressed by fame. That may have been exactly what drew them together. She gave him peace in a busy world.

Gae Exton and Christopher Reeve’s Love Story

Gae and Christopher started dating around 1978, right before Superman made him a global superstar. Their relationship lasted for almost 10 years, from 1978 to 1987. That’s a long time in the world of fame and film.

They were never married, but they shared a strong connection. Together, they had a quiet, loving relationship. Gae didn’t attend every Hollywood event or interview. She preferred to stay in the background while Christopher’s career took off.

They lived a life split between two places — London and America. And during that time, they had two children, Matthew and Alexandra. Even though the cameras were always on Reeve, Gae stayed behind the scenes, focusing on raising their children and supporting him when needed.

Why Gae Exton and Christopher Reeve Broke Up

In 1987, after nearly a decade together, Gae and Christopher went their separate ways. The breakup wasn’t filled with drama. It was more about different life goals.

Gae wanted a stable, quiet family life. She liked being close to home, spending time with the kids, and living peacefully. Christopher, on the other hand, was always traveling — working on films, going to events, and promoting his projects.

They realized they were headed in different directions. So, they ended the relationship but stayed on good terms, especially for the sake of their children. They remained close as co-parents and continued to support each other quietly, even after moving on.

Matthew Reeve, Gae Exton’s Son

Matthew Reeve was born on December 20, 1979. He is the first child of Gae Exton and Christopher Reeve. Like his father, Matthew works in film, but mostly behind the camera. He is a director, screenwriter, and producer.

One of his best-known projects is a documentary about his father’s life after the accident, called Christopher Reeve: Courageous Steps. It showed the strength and hope his father had, even when things were very hard.

Matthew is also part of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, helping raise money and awareness for spinal cord injury research. In 2024, Matthew appeared in the documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story — and for the first time, he praised his mother publicly for speaking out.

He said: “My mom is incredibly brave to tell her side of the story, and I’m proud of her.”

That short sentence showed how much love and respect he has for Gae Exton.

Alexandra Reeve Givens, Gae Exton’s Daughter

Gae Exton’s second child, Alexandra, was born on November 25, 1983, in London. She is Matthew’s younger sister and the only daughter of Gae and Christopher Reeve.

Unlike her brother, Alexandra didn’t follow a path into film or Hollywood. Instead, she focused on education, law, and helping others. She went to Yale University, where she studied history, and later earned a law degree from Columbia University. She’s now the CEO of the Center for Democracy & Technology, a group that protects people’s rights online.

Alexandra often speaks warmly about her mom. She once said that her parents gave her and her brother the “gift of a united family,” even after they separated. That shows just how much love and effort Gae Exton put into keeping her children close and safe.

Was Gae Exton Married to Christopher Reeve?

This is a question many people still ask: Was Gae Exton ever married to Christopher Reeve? The answer is no, they were never married, even though they were together for almost 10 years.

They shared a deep relationship, lived together, and had two children. But for personal reasons, they never made it official through marriage. Still, their bond was real and strong.

Sometimes people assume they were husband and wife because of how close they were and how long they were together. But Gae Exton remained Reeve’s longtime partner, not his wife.

How Gae Exton Raised Her Children

After the breakup, Gae Exton stayed in London with her two young children. She became their main caregiver and worked hard to give them a calm, loving life away from all the noise of fame.

She focused on being a present and caring mother. She didn’t use her connection to Reeve to chase publicity. Instead, she built a private life for her children, full of support and stability.

In the early 1990s, both children moved to the United States to spend more time with their father and his new wife, Dana Reeve. But they always stayed close to Gae. Even after moving across the ocean, their bond with their mother remained strong.

Where Is Gae Exton Now?

So, where is Gae Exton today? According to recent reports, she is still living in London, where she enjoys a quiet and private life.

She is not on social media and rarely appears in public. In fact, after her breakup with Christopher Reeve, she almost completely disappeared from the spotlight.

She has chosen peace and privacy over fame, and that’s something many people admire. Even though she was once connected to one of the most famous actors in the world, Gae Exton has always preferred to live behind the scenes.

Gae Exton in the ‘Super/Man’ Documentary

In 2024, something surprising happened. Gae Exton appeared in the powerful documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story. For the first time in many years, she spoke publicly about her relationship with Reeve and her memories of that time.

Her children were amazed and proud. Matthew Reeve said, “My mom is incredibly brave to tell her side of the story.” Alexandra also said it was beautiful to hear her mother share her love story.

This documentary was a big moment, not just for fans of Reeve, but for those who had never heard Gae Exton’s voice. It gave people a new view of the woman who had once stood beside Superman — not in front of the cameras, but behind them, supporting him and raising his children.

Gae Exton’s Legacy as Matthew Reeve’s Mother

Gae Exton’s role in the Reeve family may not have been loud or public, but it was deeply important. She was the one who helped shape Matthew and Alexandra’s early lives. She kept their world steady when fame could have made it chaotic.

Today, both of her children are successful, kind, and strong — a reflection of the care and love Gae gave them. And while the world often remembers Dana Reeve, who married Christopher later, Gae’s part in the story matters just as much.

As Matthew and Alexandra now raise their own families, the values Gae passed down — privacy, love, and quiet strength — continue through the generations.

Final Thoughts

Gae Exton may not be a celebrity, but her story is full of quiet power. She stood beside a rising star, helped raise two remarkable children, and chose a life of peace over attention. She appeared only when it truly mattered — like in the 2024 Super/Man documentary — to tell her side with grace.

As Matthew Reeve’s mother, Gae Exton helped keep the Reeve family strong. Her story reminds us that not all heroes wear capes. Some are mothers who give love quietly, raise strong kids, and stay kind even when the world is watching.

And even today, in 2026, people still want to know: Where is Gae Exton now? She’s in London. She’s alive. And she’s still choosing to live her life in her own quiet, beautiful way.