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Fans of the original “Star Trek” know that Captain James T.
Kirk had a lot of romantic encounters. Not unlike the character he played, William Shatner also had his fair share of romantic partners.
In 2021, the actor entered his 90s, though romance is still part of his life. He was first married all the way back in 1956, however, that union did not last. If you’re a fan of the Canadian actor, you may be curious to know how many spouses he has had over the course of nearly 70 years. This is the truth about William Shatner’s ex-wives.
What did William Shatner reveal about his marriage to Marci Lafferty in his autobiography?
William Shatner, a Canadian actor, author, producer, and director, is widely known for his role as Captain James T. Kirk in the science fiction television series “Star Trek.” Over the years, Shatner has been married four times, with each of his marriages resulting in divorce. The former spouses of the iconic actor have elicited much curiosity and speculation from the public, with many wondering what really went wrong in these relationships. In this article, we take a deep dive into the truth about William Shatner’s ex-wives.
Gloria Rand (1956-1969)
William Shatner’s first wife was Gloria Rand, whom he met during his time studying economics at McGill University in Montreal. The couple got married in 1956 and had three children together, Leslie, Lisabeth, and Melanie. Despite their seemingly happy marriage, rumors of infidelity began to surface, with Shatner allegedly having an affair with his “Star Trek” co-star Nichelle Nichols. These rumors eventually led to Gloria filing for divorce in 1969. However, it is worth noting that Shatner has consistently denied these allegations of infidelity.
Marci Lafferty (1973-1996)
Following his divorce from Gloria Rand, William Shatner married Marci Lafferty, an actress and model, in 1973. The couple had two children together, Melanie and Leslie (Shatner’s third child with Rand was named Melanie as well). Shatner’s marriage to Lafferty was, by all accounts, far from perfect, and the couple struggled with various issues over the years. In his book, “Up Till Now: The Autobiography,” Shatner admitted that he was absent from the family home for much of his marriage to Lafferty, owing to his busy schedule and the demands of his career.
Nerine Kidd (1997-1999)
William Shatner’s third marriage was to Nerine Kidd, a former model and horse trainer. The couple got married in 1997, and Shatner was by all accounts deeply in love with her. Tragically, Kidd passed away just two years later, in 1999, at the age of 40. The official cause of death was determined to be accidental drowning, with alcohol and Valium listed as contributing factors. Following Kidd’s death, rumors circulated about Shatner’s possible involvement, but no evidence was ever found to support these claims.
Elizabeth Martin (2001-2020)
William Shatner’s fourth and final marriage was to Elizabeth Martin, a horse trainer and philanthropist. The couple got married in 2001 and remained together until Martin’s death in 2020. Unlike his previous marriages, Shatner’s marriage to Martin was relatively drama-free, with the couple enjoying a happy and stable relationship for nearly two decades. Following Martin’s death, Shatner penned a heartfelt tribute to his wife, describing her as his “soulmate” and praising her for her generosity and compassion.
In conclusion, while rumors and speculation have swirled around William Shatner’s ex-wives over the years, the truth about these relationships is often more complicated than meets the eye. While some of Shatner’s marriages were plagued by issues such as infidelity and distance, others were relatively stable and happy. Regardless of the details of these relationships, it is clear that William Shatner’s ex-wives played significant roles in his life and helped shape the person he is today.
