Mary Marquardt first became known because she was married to Harrison Ford, back when he was just starting out. But her story is not only about him. She has lived a life marked by quiet strength, creativity, and her own battles. Long before Ford became Han Solo or Indiana Jones, Mary was there with him during the hard years, supporting him while also following her own path.

This article looks at her journey, her early life, her work as a chef, the struggles she’s faced, and how she managed to build a life mostly away from the spotlight.

Mary Marquardt – Quick Bio

Who is Mary Marquardt?

Mary Marquardt is most famously the first wife of the great Hollywood star Harrison Ford. Despite many times being discussed in relation to the initial achievements of Ford, Mary has established her own image of a gifted cook and a food lover. She was born in the United States, and she studied at Ripon College in Wisconsin where she met Ford. Their love affair soon took shape, and they were married in 1964, many years prior to Ford being a household name in Hollywood.

Although she was close to the limelight, Mary led a relatively a private life. She made her career in the culinary field where she excelled in creativity and interest in cooking. Although she got married to Ford and remained together as long as 15 years, the couple had two children named Benjamin and Willard, and both of them continued to lead successful lives of their own.

Mary Marquardt is regarded as the first partner of Harrison Ford and at the same time a woman who pursued her interests beyond Hollywood. Her life is relevant to the life of a person who contributed to the success of a young star and at the same time took care of her family and her work in the world of cuisine.

Early Life and Education

Mary Marquardt was born in 1945 in the United States in a family, which supported education and creativity. Little information is known about her childhood life; however, it is known that she had a supportive environment which stimulated her interests in art and cooking early on in her life. Dorothy Nidelman and John William Ford were her parents, but there is not much information about her brothers, sisters, or relationships in the family. She would later develop a passion for tastes and artistic expression, which would later become the defining career of her career.

Mary went to a liberal arts school, Ripon College, Wisconsin, and took up a Bachelor of Arts degree, which she graduated in 1967. There she was a cheerleader, expressive and gay. These were also the college years and as not only an academic but a personal one, because it was during her college years that she met a young Harrison Ford. Ripon College gave her a setting to study liberal arts including those that would sharpen her skills as an illustrator and prepare her future as a culinary expert.

Meeting Harrison Ford and Their Whirlwind Romance

That was at Ripon College in the early 1960s where Mary Marquardt first met Harrison Ford. Ford, a major in philosophy, had taken a course in drama to get rid of his shyness and it was in this course that their paths collided. In plays such as The Threepenny Opera by Bertolt Brecht he acted, and his silent persistence attracted Mary, with her rollicking spirit. Their relationship became fast and they were united by the dreams and the troubles of youth.

The love affair of the pair was spawned in the simplicity of college life. Ford was still working out what he wanted to do in acting and Mary stood by him. They got married on June 18, 1964 and both were in their early 20s. Ford had not yet entered Hollywood, only a prospective actor, who got odd jobs at the time. Their marriage began the beginning of a relationship that would last numerous hurricanes.

Building a Family Amid Struggles

Mary Marquardt and Harrison Ford’s early married life was far from glamorous. Ford struggled to land meaningful acting roles, often working as a carpenter to make ends meet. Mary took on part-time jobs and focused on building their home, providing the stability Ford needed to pursue his dreams. Despite the hardships, they started a family, welcoming two sons who would go on to carve their own paths.

• Benjamin “Ben” Ford: Born on September 22, 1966, Ben followed in his mother’s footsteps by becoming a renowned chef and restaurateur. He co-owns Ford’s Filling Station, a gastropub in Los Angeles, and has collaborated with Mary on culinary projects. Ben credits his mother’s passion for cooking as a major influence, especially given her health challenges later in life.
• Willard Ford: Born on May 14, 1969, Willard pursued entrepreneurship. He owns Ludwig Clothing and has been involved in ventures like Strong Sports Gym and the Kim Sing Theatre. Like his brother, Willard maintains a close bond with Mary, supporting her through thick and thin.

Raising two boys while Ford chased Hollywood opportunities wasn’t easy. The family moved to Los Angeles, where Ford signed a modest contract with Columbia Pictures, but success was slow. Mary Marquardt played a crucial role, offering emotional and financial backing during these lean years. She often reflected on those times as ones of true partnership, even if the glamour came later.

Supporting Harrison Ford’s Rise to Fame

Mary Marquardt was the constant friend of Harrison Ford as his career started gaining momentum in the 1970s. Ford appeared in movies like American Graffiti, but his breakthrough was as the Han Solo in the Star Wars (1977) and made him a man of star. It was during this time that Mary handled the home front because Ford had time to concentrate on his career that was growing. The rejections and the victories could not have happened without her as she acted out the part of a supportive spouse in a very pressurizing industry.

Nevertheless, popularity came with its own problems. Emotional distance was caused by the demands of the Ford timetable and gossip about infidelity started appearing. At first Mary stood by him, but the strain was too great. In 1979 their marriage of 15 years was divorced.

Divorce and Its Aftermath

The divorce between Mary Marquardt and Harrison Ford was friendly and hurtful. It is reported that an affair between Ford and his Star Wars co-star Carrie Fisher was a factor since it has been described in the memoir of Fisher, The Princess Diarist. During the filming, Fisher talked about a three-month affair with Ford, which fueled the suspicion around the divorce. Other sources state that there was a possibility of involvement with screenwriter Melissa Mathison with whom Ford would later marry.

Mary managed to cope with the divorce in a graceful way and instead of doing a spectacle, she centered on co-parenting the sons. In the interview she never said bad things about Ford and kept a very dignified silence. After divorce, the relationship between Ford and Mary got better with time, and Ford realized how Mary contributed to his initial success. In the case of Mary, this chapter was a turn in her independent direction since she invested her energies on her career and family.

Pursuing a Career as a Chef and Illustrator

After the divorce, Mary Marquardt reinvented herself professionally. She had always loved cooking, and in the 1980s, she pursued formal culinary training to become a professional chef. Her skills shone in prestigious restaurants, where she was known for innovative recipes and a passion for food presentation. She even worked as head chef in a hotel owned by Ford and collaborated with her son Ben at Café FX.

Before fully diving into culinary arts, Mary worked as an illustrator, leveraging her liberal arts background. She contributed to various projects, blending her artistic talents with her love for storytelling through visuals. Her career highlights include:

• Developing unique dishes that emphasize fresh ingredients and creativity.
• Mentoring young chefs, including her son Ben, who inherited her culinary flair.
• Retiring in the early 2000s due to health reasons but leaving a legacy in the food industry.

Mary’s net worth is estimated at around $2 million as of 2025, built from her culinary endeavors and wise investments.

Facing Health Challenges with Resilience

Mary Marquardt was diagnosed with the chronic disease multiple sclerosis (MS) in the late 1980s, which is a disease of the central nervous system. The disease that interferes with communication between the body and the brain introduced drastic changes into her life. As the decades progressed, MS advanced, and now she has to use a wheelchair, as well as the cooking abilities will no longer grant her the opportunity to do so, as it was her passion.

Nonetheless, Mary had fought the battle secretly over the years and told the secret only to close family. Her son Ben has not been quiet about the impact and in 2017, he started the campaign of raising awareness of MS which was named as ReimagineMySelf. He came up with recipes to suit individuals with MS and in the process, he honored his mother. Mary showed Ben how to cook when she was still healthy, and he applied this in his career. Her strength is a bright spot, since she still motivates her family, yet the disease turned out to be incurable.

Life Today: A Private Legacy

By 2025, Mary Marquardt is leading a quiet life in California out of the limelight of the media. She is aged well in her early 80s, and spends time with her sons, grandchildren, and close friends. She had never remarried, had instead concentrated on self-fulfillment and family relationships. The news about her death in 2018 were false; she is still alive on her own, having to fight MS with the help of her family.

The story by Mary Marquardt is that of silent heroism. Although she is introduced to the world through her marriage to Harrison Ford, it is her success as a mother, cook and a survivor that makes her really who she is. In the celebrity world, she is a reminder of the power of perseverance and grace.

FAQs About Mary Marquardt

Who is Mary Marquardt?

Mary Marquardt is best known as the first wife of Hollywood actor Harrison Ford. The couple married in 1964, before Ford rose to international fame as Han Solo in Star Wars and Indiana Jones in the Indiana Jones franchise.

When were Harrison Ford and Mary Marquardt married?

They married in 1964 and remained together for about 15 years before divorcing in 1979.

Do Mary Marquardt and Harrison Ford have children?

Yes, the couple has two sons: Benjamin Ford, a successful chef and restaurateur, and Willard Ford, an entrepreneur and fitness enthusiast.

Why did Mary Marquardt and Harrison Ford divorce?

While the couple’s split was never publicly detailed, reports suggest that Ford’s rising Hollywood career and personal differences contributed to the end of their marriage.

What did Mary Marquardt do for a living?

Mary Marquardt worked as an illustrator and later pursued a career in the culinary field. She is often described as someone who preferred a private life away from the spotlight.

Is Mary Marquardt still alive?

Yes, Mary Marquardt is still alive but has kept a very low profile since her divorce from Harrison Ford. She has faced some health challenges, including multiple sclerosis, but continues to live a private life.

Did Mary Marquardt remarry after Harrison Ford?

There is no public record of Mary Marquardt remarrying after her divorce. She chose to live outside the media glare and focus on her personal life and family.