Have you ever wondered who Elizabeth Anderson Martin really is? Many people know her only as William Shatner’s ex-wife, but there is so much more to her life. She is a horse expert, an artist, a kind soul, and a woman who has lived through love, loss, change, and even a sweet reunion with the man she once divorced.
In this article, we will walk through her full story in a very simple and easy way. We will explore her early life, her love for horses, her career, her first marriage, how she met William Shatner, and what their life together looked like. We will also look at how they separated, why they stayed close, and how they found their way back to each other years later.
Let’s begin.
Elizabeth Anderson Martin Quick Bio
| Full Name | Elizabeth Joyce Anderson Martin |
| Known As | William Shatner’s ex-wife |
| Birthday | December 30, 1958 |
| Age (2026) | 67 years old |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5’6″–5’7″ |
| Profession | Horse trainer, equine judge, photographer, digital artist |
| Movies / TV | E! True Hollywood Story, Life Beyond Trek, Gonzo Ballet, American Pickers, The Captain, The Shatner Project |
| Children | No biological children; stepmom to 3 |
| First Husband | Michael Glenn Martin (died 1997) |
| Second Husband | William Shatner (2001–2020; reunited later) |
| Net Worth | About $10 million |
| Education | Purdue University (Animal Science & Equine Studies) |
| Charity Work | Co-founder of The All Glory Project |
| Current Focus | Horses, art, photography, quiet life with Shatner |
Who Is Elizabeth Anderson Martin, William Shatner’s Ex-Wife?
Elizabeth Anderson Martin is best known to many people as William Shatner’s ex-wife. But she is so much more than that title. She is a woman with a deep love for animals, a long career in the horse world, and a sweet creative side that shines through her art and photography.
Her story is filled with simple joys, real struggles, and quiet wins. She built her own career long before she married Shatner, and she continued to grow after their divorce. Many fans admire her because she stayed kind, gentle, and humble through everything.
Even today, she is talked about often because she and William Shatner have grown close again. Their reunion has become one of the most heartwarming surprises of recent years.
Early Life and Childhood of Elizabeth Anderson Martin
Elizabeth Anderson Martin was born on December 30, 1958, in the United States. She grew up loving nature, animals, and quiet moments outdoors. Even as a child, she felt most happy when she was around horses. This love started very early and stayed with her for her whole life.
She came from a simple, private family. She has a sister named Gayle Anderson and had an older brother, Daniel Leith Anderson, who sadly passed away from heart failure. Even though she does not talk about her early life often, people can see that her childhood helped shape her calm and caring personality.
Many of her choices in life make sense when you understand how she grew up. She always followed what felt peaceful and natural to her. This is why she stayed close to animals and art from a very young age.
Elizabeth Anderson Martin’s Education and Training
After finishing her early school years, Elizabeth decided to study something she truly cared about. She joined Purdue University in Indiana to study Animal Science and Equine Studies. This degree helped her learn everything about horse behavior, horse care, and training.
Her time in college was important because it gave her strong professional skills. She was not just someone who “liked horses.” She became a trained expert who understood the science behind them.
This knowledge helped her build a long and respected career in the horse world. It also helped her later when she worked as an equine judge and trainer. Her education gave her the confidence to follow her passion in a real and serious way.
How Elizabeth Anderson Martin Fell in Love With Horses
Elizabeth’s love story with horses started when she was just five years old. Most kids fall in love with toys or cartoons. But for Elizabeth, it was horses. She felt calm and safe around them. She felt like she could connect with them in a special way.
When she was eight years old, she got her very first horse. For many children, this would feel like a dream. For Elizabeth, it was the start of her whole life’s work. She learned how to take care of the horse, how to ride it, and how to understand its feelings.
By age fourteen, she was already training horses on her own. This is very rare for someone so young. It showed her discipline, her heart, and her natural talent with animals.
If you think about it, her whole future — her career, her charity work, even her love story with William Shatner — all started with this early bond she had with horses.
Elizabeth Anderson Martin’s Career in the Horse World
Elizabeth soon became a well-known and respected name in the horse community. She worked as a professional horse trainer and later became an equine judge. She judged competitions like the Indiana Arabian Club and other major events.
People admired her because she treated horses with kindness. She believed in gentle training, patience, and clear communication. Her style made her stand out in a field that can sometimes be harsh or competitive.
She even won the WHINNY Award, which is given to people who make strong and positive contributions to the horse industry. This award showed how deeply she had touched the community.
Along with her work, she also helped support horse-based charity programs. She later co-founded The All Glory Project, which helped veterans connect with horses for healing and therapy. This work showed her heart as much as her skill.
Her Photography and Digital Art Journey
Elizabeth is not only a horse expert — she is also an artist. Her love for nature slowly turned into a passion for photography. One of her biggest inspirations was a safari trip she took with famous photographers Joanne Kalish and Joe DiMaggio. During the two-week trip, she learned how to use professional cameras and how to capture moments in nature.
This experience opened a new door in her life. She started creating her own digital art, which she shared on her website Art By Nature. She named her style Flowrosophy, which mixes natural shapes, light, and colors to create peaceful images.
Her art shows the same calm and gentle energy that she has in real life. Many people say her photos feel like a quiet walk in the woods or a soft memory from childhood. It is her way of bringing beauty to others.
Elizabeth Anderson Martin’s First Marriage and Personal Loss
Before she met William Shatner, Elizabeth was married to Michael Glenn Martin. They married in 1983 and stayed together for more than 13 years. Unfortunately, Michael passed away in 1997 after an illness. His death was a heavy moment in her life.
Losing a partner changes a person deeply. Elizabeth took time to heal and find strength again. She did not rush into anything new. She focused on her work, her horses, and her quiet path forward.
This chapter of her life is important because it shaped her heart and her emotional journey. It also helped her understand grief — something she would later share with William Shatner when their paths crossed.
How Elizabeth Anderson Martin Met William Shatner
Elizabeth and William Shatner met in 1999, at a time when both were hurting. She was grieving her first husband, and William was grieving the death of his third wife, Nerine Kidd. Both understood loss. Both understood silence. Both understood how hard it is to move forward when your heart is heavy.
Their shared love for horses also played a huge role in their connection. Horses have a way of bringing comfort, and they became the bridge between Elizabeth and William. They spent time together, talked about their lives, and slowly found healing in each other’s company.
Their friendship soon grew into something deeper. It felt natural and gentle, like two people walking the same quiet road and finding warmth again.
The Marriage of Elizabeth Anderson Martin and William Shatner
In 2001, Elizabeth and William Shatner got married in Indiana. She was 42 years old, and he was 69. Some people talked about their age difference, but the couple didn’t care. What mattered was that they made each other feel understood and loved.
Their bond was strong. They shared so many things — horses, dogs, charity work, art, a peaceful home, and a deep respect for each other. William even said that Elizabeth brought “warmth to the cold universe.” That is a beautiful way of saying she made life feel brighter.
Elizabeth also became a stepmother to William’s three grown daughters — Leslie, Lisabeth, and Melanie. She fit into the family gently and respectfully.
Their marriage lasted for 18 years. That is not a small thing in Hollywood, where relationships often end quickly. Their connection was real and full of heart.
Why Elizabeth Anderson Martin and William Shatner Divorced
After many years together, Elizabeth and William decided to separate in 2019. Their divorce was finalized in 2020.
They said they had “irreconcilable differences.” This simply means they had problems they could not fully fix, even though they cared about each other. But unlike many celebrity divorces, theirs was calm, private, and respectful.
William later explained that they divorced for practical reasons, not because of dislike or anger. This is why they stayed close even after the divorce. Some bonds never fully break — they just change shape.
Divorce Settlement Between Elizabeth Anderson Martin and William Shatner
When Elizabeth Anderson Martin and William Shatner divorced, many people expected a difficult and messy process. But the truth is the opposite. Their divorce was calm, organized, and handled with care. They already had a prenuptial agreement, which made things clear and simple for both of them. This agreement explained how their money, homes, and personal items would be divided if they ever separated.
As part of the settlement, Elizabeth received several meaningful items. She got two of their horses, three cars, a home in Malibu, a home in Kentucky, and her share of their family farm in Indiana. She also received $2 million in support. These things helped her start the next chapter of her life with comfort and stability.
William kept most of his larger assets, such as his “Star Trek” royalties and the majority of his $100 million estate. Even with this division, both sides seemed satisfied. Their settlement showed that respect still existed between them, even after the end of an 18-year marriage.
Are Elizabeth Anderson Martin and William Shatner Back Together?
This is the part that surprised everyone. After their divorce, Elizabeth and William did not drift apart. Instead, they stayed in touch. They talked. They supported each other. They even celebrated important moments together, like William’s 90th birthday.
Then something unexpected happened. During the COVID quarantine, they grew close again. They spent more time together, and many of the old problems that once pushed them apart simply faded. William Shatner even said in an interview, “We’ve in effect remarried,” which shocked many fans. He explained that they were living together again and had found happiness in each other’s company.
In 2024 and 2025, they were seen publicly more often. People noticed that Elizabeth was wearing a large diamond ring again. They walked together on red carpets, including the Cirque du Soleil KOOZA premiere, and even enjoyed quiet outings in North Hollywood. Their gentle smiles, relaxed walks, and close bond made fans wonder if they had secretly remarried. Whether they held another ceremony or not, one thing was clear: love had returned to their story.
Sometimes, life gives you a second chance. And for Elizabeth Anderson Martin and William Shatner, that chance came at the perfect time.
Elizabeth Anderson Martin’s Life Today
Today, Elizabeth Anderson Martin lives a peaceful and private life. She spends her time doing things that make her feel calm and happy. She still works with horses, because they have always been her greatest love. She also continues her art and photography, sharing her gentle vision of nature through her digital work.
She stays involved in charity projects too. One of the most meaningful organizations she helped build is The All Glory Project, which supports veterans and their families through animal-assisted programs. Even after the divorce, she never stopped caring about these causes.
Her life now is slower, softer, and filled with the things that matter most to her: animals, art, home, and simple joy. And with her renewed bond with William Shatner, it seems she has found a warm and comforting rhythm again. She may not be in the spotlight every day, but she shines quietly in her own way.
Elizabeth Anderson Martin’s Net Worth and Achievements
Even though Elizabeth Anderson Martin is known for her connection to a famous actor, she built much of her success on her own. Her net worth is estimated to be around $10 million in 2026. This wealth comes from her long career as a horse trainer, equine judge, photographer, digital artist, and her earnings from film and documentary work.
Her horse career brought her respect and recognition. Winning the WHINNY Award was a huge honor. It showed the impact she had in the horse world. Her photography also gained attention, especially her “Flowrosophy” work, which feels peaceful and artistic.
The divorce settlement added stable financial support, but her own achievements are what make her story inspiring. Elizabeth followed her passions and turned them into a full career. Not many people can say they built a life from the things they truly love.
Final Thoughts
The life of Elizabeth Anderson Martin is gentle but powerful. She grew up loving horses, turned that love into a career, and used her skills to help others. She faced deep loss but found love again. She went through divorce but stayed kind. And in time, she even rebuilt a bond that many thought was gone forever.
Her story is not loud or dramatic. It is soft, real, and full of heart. She shows us that life can change many times, but we can still find peace and meaning if we follow what feels true.
In many ways, Elizabeth Anderson Martin teaches us a simple lesson: Love, healing, and new beginnings can happen at any age.
Her journey is still going, and it continues to inspire people who admire her strength, her calm spirit, and her deep connection to the world around her.
(FAQs)
What movies and TV shows has Elizabeth Anderson Martin been in?
Elizabeth was in a few TV documentaries. She was seen in E! True Hollywood Story, Life Beyond Trek, Gonzo Ballet, American Pickers, The Captain, and The Shatner Project. She was not acting — she was just sharing her real life and work.
How old is Elizabeth Anderson Martin and when is her birthday?
Elizabeth Anderson Martin was born on December 30, 1958. She is 67 years old in 2026. Many people are shocked because she still looks very young.
Does Elizabeth Anderson Martin have any children?
No, Elizabeth does not have her own children. But she became a stepmom to William Shatner’s three daughters, and she stayed close to them for many years.
What is Elizabeth Anderson Martin’s net worth?
Elizabeth has a net worth of around $10 million. This surprises many people because she earned a lot of it herself through horses, art, and TV work — not just from her marriage.
How tall is Elizabeth Anderson Martin?
Elizabeth Anderson Martin is about 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 7 inches tall. She often looks taller because she has a slim and confident look.
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