Mary Marquardt: The True Story of Harrison Ford’s Ex-Wife

Before Harrison Ford became a world-famous actor, there was someone standing beside him — quietly, lovingly, and patiently. That someone was Mary Marquardt. She was there when things were tough, long before Indiana Jones or Star Wars made Harrison Ford a household name.

Mary Marquardt is more than just “Harrison Ford’s ex-wife.” She is a strong, kind woman with a story of her own. She was a chef, a mother, and a true supporter during Ford’s early struggles. In this article, we’ll explore who she really is, where she came from, and how she helped shape one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

Let’s take a closer look at the life of Mary Marquardt, the woman behind the scenes of a rising legend.

Mary Marquardt Quick Bio

Who Is Mary Marquardt?

Mary Marquardt is known by many as Harrison Ford’s first wife, but there’s so much more to her than that. She was born in 1945 in the United States and grew up with a love for creativity, food, and family.

Mary didn’t chase the spotlight. She lived a calm and humble life, even while married to a man who later became a Hollywood icon. She worked hard, raised a family, and followed her own dreams, even when life got hard. She was a talented chef who brought warmth and joy to others through her cooking. Her story is one of quiet strength, not fame.

Mary Marquardt’s Early Life and Education

Mary’s journey started in the U.S., where she was raised in a loving home. She was cheerful, smart, and creative. After finishing high school, she went to Ripon College in Wisconsin, a small but well-known liberal arts college.

At Ripon, Mary studied liberal arts and made many friends. She was even a cheerleader, known for her positive spirit. But more than anything, she loved art and food. She first began as an illustrator, drawing and designing, before discovering that her real passion was cooking.

Ripon College was also the place where her life would change forever — because it’s where she met a young man named Harrison Ford.

How Mary Marquardt Met Harrison Ford

Mary met Harrison Ford at Ripon College in the 1960s. They were both students trying to figure out their future. Harrison was studying philosophy and English, unsure of his path. Mary was focusing on her love for art and food.

They met while working together on a college theater show called The Threepenny Opera. That’s where their friendship began — and soon turned into love. They laughed, shared dreams, and supported each other through life’s early challenges.

In 1964, Mary and Harrison decided to get married. They were young and hopeful, ready to take on the world together. Mary believed in Harrison, even when he had no job, no fame, and no big plans yet. She stood by him with love and patience.

Life as Harrison Ford’s Wife

Life wasn’t easy for Mary and Harrison after they got married. Harrison wanted to become an actor, but finding roles was hard. To support their small family, he worked as a carpenter, building cabinets and furniture for people in Los Angeles. Mary, on the other hand, worked hard and helped keep their home warm and welcoming.

There’s a fun story they used to tell: one day, they flipped a coin to decide their future. If it landed on tails, they would move to New York for Broadway. If it landed on heads, they’d try Hollywood. It landed on tails, but New York was too cold, so they flipped again. It landed on heads — and off to California they went!

They settled in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles. Mary stayed home and took care of their children while Harrison auditioned for small acting roles. She cooked for his friends, hosted dinners, and gave him the strength to keep going when times were hard.

Mary Marquardt’s Career as a Chef

Mary didn’t just sit back and watch — she had her own dreams too. She loved food, flavors, and creating meals that made people smile. She turned that passion into a career as a professional chef.

Mary became known for her skills in the kitchen. Her food was filled with love, care, and creativity. Friends of the couple often said that her cooking brought everyone together. She even cooked for Harrison Ford’s early Hollywood friends like Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill during Star Wars filming days.

Later, Mary’s son Benjamin would also fall in love with cooking — and it was all because of her. She didn’t just make meals — she shared her heart through food.

Mary Marquardt and Harrison Ford’s Children

Mary and Harrison had two sons together. Their first son, Benjamin Ford, was born in 1966. Their second son, Willard Ford, came in 1969.

Benjamin, inspired by his mom, grew up to be a famous chef. He owns restaurants and has worked with his mom on recipes and food events. He often says that his love for food started in the kitchen with Mary. “When other kids were out playing football,” he once said, “I was cooking with my parents.”

Willard took a different path. He became an entrepreneur, working in fitness and business. He owned a gym called Strong Sports Gym and later worked in fashion through Ludwig Clothing.

Even after her divorce from Ford, Mary stayed very close to both her sons. They love her deeply and credit her for shaping their lives.

The Challenges and Divorce

As Harrison Ford’s acting career started to rise in the late 1970s, things began to change in their marriage. He was often away filming and working long hours. With the success of Star Wars in 1977, Ford became a star overnight. But with fame came distance.

There were also rumors that Ford had started a relationship with screenwriter Melissa Mathison during the filming of Apocalypse Now. This put a lot of stress on his marriage with Mary Marquardt. After 15 years together, the couple officially divorced in 1979.

It was a hard time for Mary, but she stayed strong. She didn’t talk to the media or seek attention. Instead, she quietly focused on her children and her own life. Even though their marriage ended, she never spoke badly about Harrison. Her grace and silence showed her true character.

Mary Marquardt’s Life After Divorce

After the divorce, Mary Marquardt chose a simple and private life. She didn’t chase the spotlight or try to stay connected to Hollywood. Instead, she focused on raising her sons and doing what she loved — cooking.

She also worked with her son Benjamin Ford on food-related projects. Their love for cooking kept them close. Mary shared her recipes, skills, and kitchen secrets with him. Together, they kept the family’s passion for food alive.

Even after all the changes in her life, Mary stayed kind, patient, and calm. She showed that strength doesn’t have to be loud. Sometimes, it’s quiet and steady — just like her.

Mary Marquardt’s Battle with Multiple Sclerosis

In the late 1980s, Mary was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) — a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It was a tough moment, but she handled it with the same quiet strength she always had.

At first, she didn’t tell many people about her illness. The symptoms would come and go, so it wasn’t always easy to explain. Her son Benjamin later shared that he didn’t even realize how serious it was until he was older.

As the illness got worse, Mary had to stop working as a chef. She now uses a wheelchair to move around. But instead of giving up, she passed her love for cooking to Benjamin. He now uses recipes and lessons from his mom in his own restaurants and cooking.

In 2017, Benjamin started a campaign called #ReimagineMySelf to help raise awareness for people living with MS. It was inspired by Mary and her brave journey with the disease.

Where Is Mary Marquardt Now?

As of 2025, Mary Marquardt lives a quiet and peaceful life somewhere in the United States. She stays out of the public eye and does not use social media. Her focus is on her health, her children, and her grandchildren.

Even though she isn’t in the news or on TV, her impact is still strong. Her sons often talk about how much she means to them. Benjamin especially speaks with pride about how his mother taught him everything — not just about cooking, but about life.

Mary may not be famous like Harrison Ford, but in her own way, she’s a true inspiration.

Mary Marquardt’s Net Worth and Legacy

Mary didn’t build her life on fame or money. She built it on love, hard work, and kindness. Even though she worked mostly behind the scenes, she made a big difference in the lives of those around her.

As of 2025, her estimated net worth is between $500,000 and $1 million. This includes her work as a chef, her smart planning, and the support she gave to her family. But her real legacy isn’t about money — it’s about her heart.

Mary Marquardt’s life shows that you don’t need to be in the spotlight to be strong. She was there during the hard times, helped raise two successful sons, and continues to inspire people through her quiet strength and deep love.

Final Thoughts

Mary Marquardt may be known as Harrison Ford’s ex-wife, but she is so much more than that. She is a strong woman, a caring mother, a talented chef, and a quiet fighter.

She helped Harrison during the hardest years of his life, supported him when no one else believed in him, and raised two amazing sons. Even after facing heartbreak and illness, she stayed kind and brave.

Her story teaches us that real heroes aren’t always in the spotlight. Sometimes, they are behind the scenes — cooking meals, wiping tears, and cheering others on.

And that is the true story of Mary Marquardt — the woman who helped build a star, and who shines in her own way.

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