William Shatner Wife
William Shatner’s wife is Elizabeth Shatner (born Elizabeth Anderson Martin), an American horse trainer, equine judge, and digital artist born on December 30, 1958. William Shatner is the legendary Canadian actor best known for playing Captain James T. Kirk on Star Trek, a role that made him a household name across the world. Beyond his acting career, Shatner is also known for his personal life, having been married four times.
This article takes a close look at Elizabeth Shatner — William Shatner’s wife — covering her background, career, how the couple met, their marriage, family life, and where things stand between them today. If you’ve been searching for “William Shatner wife,” here’s everything you need to know about the woman behind the Star Trek icon.
Who Is Elizabeth Shatner?
Elizabeth Shatner was born Elizabeth Anderson on December 30, 1958, in the United States. Long before she became known as William Shatner’s wife, she built her own identity around a lifelong love of horses. She started riding at just five years old and received her first horse, a Galiceno pony, at age eight. That early passion shaped the rest of her life and eventually became her profession.
Elizabeth’s first marriage was to Michael Gleen Martin in 1983. The couple stayed together until his death in August 1997, which is why she is sometimes referred to as Elizabeth Anderson Martin. She largely stayed out of the public eye during this period, focusing on her work with horses rather than the entertainment industry that would later bring her fame by association. It wasn’t until she crossed paths with William Shatner in the late 1990s that she stepped into the spotlight as the actor’s wife.
Elizabeth Shatner’s Career & Professional Life
Elizabeth Shatner built her career as a professional horse trainer and equine judge long before she married William Shatner. Over the years, she became a respected figure in the horse world, earning multiple judges’ cards and recognition for her work with American Saddlebreds, a breed she and William continue to raise together.
In addition to horse training, Elizabeth is a digital artist and photographer. Her body of work, presented under the name “Art by Nature,” blends photography with digital techniques to create nature-inspired pieces featuring horses, plants, and wildlife. She has said the process of finding the right artistic shot feels similar to judging a horse show — spotting the details that make something exceptional.
Elizabeth is also deeply involved in philanthropy. Alongside William, she helps run the Hollywood Charity Horse Show, an annual event that raises money for children’s causes. Reports estimate her personal net worth at around $10 million, built through her work in horse training, art sales, and other ventures, separate from William Shatner’s own estimated $100 million fortune.
How Did William and Elizabeth Meet?
William and Elizabeth met in the late 1990s during a difficult period for both of them. William had lost his third wife, Nerine Kidd, who drowned in their swimming pool in August 1999 after a long struggle with addiction. Around the same time, Elizabeth was grieving the loss of her husband, Michael Gleen Martin, who died in 1997.
Their shared love of horses brought them together, and their mutual grief created an unexpected bond. William has spoken publicly about how Elizabeth helped him heal after the tragedy of losing Nerine, describing her as someone who restored joy to his life. The relationship developed gradually, built on companionship, shared interests, and support during a genuinely hard time for both of them.
As their bond deepened, the couple decided to formalize their relationship. Elizabeth became the fourth woman William Shatner would marry, following his marriages to Gloria Rand, Marcy Lafferty, and Nerine Kidd.
Marriage & Wedding Details
William Shatner and Elizabeth Shatner got married on February 13, 2001, in a private ceremony. The wedding was kept low-key and intimate, reflecting the couple’s preference for privacy despite William’s fame. By the time they married, both had already experienced significant loss, so the wedding marked a fresh start built on shared understanding rather than a whirlwind romance.
Following the wedding, the couple settled into a life centered around their shared passions. They eventually made their home at Belle Reve Farm, a roughly 360-acre horse farm near Versailles, Kentucky, where they breed American Saddlebreds and continue their work in the equine world together.
Children & Family Life
William and Elizabeth Shatner do not have any children together. However, Elizabeth became a stepmother to William’s three daughters — Leslie Carol, Lisabeth, and Melanie — from his first marriage to Gloria Rand.
The couple built their family life around their farm, their horses, and their charity work rather than the Hollywood spotlight. Despite William’s decades of fame, the two have generally kept their day-to-day life private, splitting their time between Los Angeles and Kentucky. Their shared commitment to horse breeding and philanthropy, particularly through the Hollywood Charity Horse Show, has remained a consistent thread throughout their marriage.
Elizabeth Shatner on Social Media
Elizabeth Shatner keeps a relatively low profile on social media compared to her famous husband. She has a small presence on platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), where her bio describes her as a “Wife, Horse Judge, Philanthropist” and promotes her art projects, including “Art by Nature,” “Unbridled,” and “Flowrosopy.” Her posts, when shared, tend to focus on her artwork, horses, and charity initiatives like the Hollywood Charity Horse Show rather than personal or celebrity content.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elizabeth Anderson Shatner (née Anderson, formerly Martin) |
| Date of Birth | December 30, 1958 |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Horse trainer, equine judge, digital artist, photographer |
| Married to | William Shatner |
| Marriage Year | 2001 |
| Children | None with William Shatner; stepmother to his three daughters |
| Net Worth | Estimated $10 million |
FAQ Section
Q: What is William Shatner’s wife’s name? A: William Shatner’s wife is Elizabeth Shatner, formerly known as Elizabeth Anderson Martin. She is his fourth wife, and they married in 2001.
Q: How old is Elizabeth Shatner? A: Elizabeth Shatner was born on December 30, 1958, which places her in her late sixties as of 2026.
Q: What does Elizabeth Shatner do for a living? A: Elizabeth Shatner is a professional horse trainer and equine judge who is also known for her digital art and nature photography under the name “Art by Nature.”
Q: When did William Shatner and Elizabeth get married? A: William Shatner and Elizabeth got married on February 13, 2001, in a private ceremony after meeting in the late 1990s.
Q: How many kids do William Shatner and Elizabeth have? A: William Shatner and Elizabeth Shatner do not have children together, though Elizabeth is a stepmother to William’s three daughters from his first marriage.
Conclusion
Elizabeth Shatner is far more than a footnote in William Shatner’s storied life — she’s an accomplished horsewoman, artist, and philanthropist in her own right. Their relationship, born out of shared grief and a mutual love of horses, has weathered ups and downs, including a 2019 divorce, yet the two remain closely connected today. For anyone curious about William Shatner’s wife, Elizabeth’s story is one of resilience, passion, and quiet partnership away from the Hollywood spotlight.
