Who Is Elizabeth Anderson Martin? The Fascinating Life of William Shatner’s Ex-Wife
Elizabeth Anderson Martin is an American horse trainer, equestrian judge and photographer, best known as the fourth wife of Star Trek actor William Shatner. She was born Elizabeth Joyce Anderson on 30 December 1958, built her career around Arabian and Saddlebred horses, and married Shatner in 2001. The couple divorced in 2020 after nearly two decades, then reunited in 2024, and this guide covers her background, career, marriages, settlement and life today.
Who Is Elizabeth Anderson Martin?
Elizabeth Anderson Martin is a horse professional and photographer who gained public attention through her marriage to William Shatner. Media outlets also call her Elizabeth Shatner or Elizabeth Martin. She keeps a lower profile than most celebrity spouses and rarely gives interviews.
Her story rests on horses rather than Hollywood. She started riding as a small child, trained horses as a teenager and later judged shows. Photography became her second creative outlet.
Many online profiles repeat unverified claims about her, so this article sticks to facts that reputable outlets have reported. Where details vary between sources, the text says so.
Elizabeth Anderson Martin Bio Table
The table below summarises the confirmed and widely reported facts about her life.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Elizabeth Joyce Anderson Martin |
| Also known as | Elizabeth Shatner, Elizabeth Martin |
| Date of birth | 30 December 1958 (as reported by biography sites) |
| Age | 67 (turns 68 on 30 December 2026) |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Horse trainer, equestrian judge, photographer |
| Known for | Fourth wife of William Shatner |
| Earlier marriage | Michael Martin (died 1997, per reports) |
| Wedding to Shatner | February 2001 (reported as 13 February in Lebanon, Indiana) |
| Marriage length | About 18 years |
| Divorce | Filed December 2019, settled March 2020 |
| Children with Shatner | None |
| Charity link | Hollywood Charity Horse Show |
| Relationship status | Reunited with Shatner since 2023 or 2024 |
| Net worth | Not verified by any reliable source |
Early Life and Love of Horses
Elizabeth grew up in the United States and developed a strong bond with animals early. Biography sites report that she began riding at age five and received her first pony at eight. These details come from secondary sources, and she has never confirmed them in a major interview.
The same sources say she started training horses professionally at 14. That early start shaped everything that followed. She specialised in Arabian and Saddlebred breeds, two show-ring disciplines that demand patience and fine technique.
Her family life stays private. Reports mention a brother who died around the time Shatner filed for divorce, and she told Fox News she was with her family during that period of grief.
Career as a Horse Trainer, Judge and Photographer
Elizabeth built her career as a professional trainer and ran a horse stable in Montecito, California. AOL’s marriage history of Shatner confirms she owned and operated that stable when the two began writing to each other.
She also worked as a horse judge. Profiles say she holds a US Equestrian Federation multi-breed judging licence and sat on the judging panel at the Indiana Arabian Club show. Those profiles also credit her with a WHINNY Award for contributions to the horse industry, though that claim appears mainly on lesser-known sites.
After stepping back from competition, she turned to photography and digital art. Her work with nature and animal subjects appears on her Art by Nature website, according to Briefly.
She also supports charity events. Reports link her to the Hollywood Charity Horse Show, an annual event that Shatner founded to raise money for children with special needs.
First Marriage to Michael Martin
Elizabeth was married before she met Shatner. Her first husband was Michael Martin, and she kept his surname after he died.
Sources disagree on the dates. One outlet gives 1982 as the wedding year, while another lists 19 November 1983. Both say Michael died on 3 August 1997, which means the marriage ended in widowhood after roughly 14 or 15 years.
The cause of his death has not been reported. Elizabeth has not discussed the loss at length in public.
This history matters because it shaped her later bond with Shatner. Both of them had lost a spouse within a few years of each other.
How Elizabeth Anderson Martin Met William Shatner
Elizabeth met William Shatner through a letter. His third wife, Nerine Kidd, died in August 1999, and Elizabeth wrote to him after the tragedy.
According to retellings of the story, her calligraphy made the envelope stand out among hundreds of condolence messages. Shatner wrote back, and the two began a correspondence.
Horses brought them closer. Shatner is a serious breeder and competitor with American Saddlebreds, Quarter Horses and Standardbreds, as Horse Canada notes. Elizabeth shared that passion and had the expertise to match it.
They married in February 2001. Legit.ng reports the vows took place on 13 February 2001 in Lebanon, Indiana. Hello Magazine notes that she was 27 years younger than Shatner.
Marriage to William Shatner From 2001 to 2019
Their marriage lasted about 18 years, which makes it Shatner’s second-longest after his union with Marcy Lafferty. The couple had no children together. Shatner has three daughters from his first marriage.
Elizabeth appeared beside him at premieres, award shows and charity events. Photographers captured them at the 2005 CMT Music Awards and the 2018 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Horses stayed at the centre of their home life. They bred and showed animals together, and they held property in Kentucky and California.
Shatner spoke warmly about her in a Guardian interview, praising her beauty, humour and intelligence. He also credited luck for their meeting.
Divorce and Settlement
William Shatner filed for divorce in December 2019, citing irreconcilable differences. Reports place the separation in 2019 after 18 years of marriage.
The couple reached a settlement in early March 2020, according to Fox News and Extra, which cited court records. A prenuptial agreement allowed Shatner to keep his Star Trek royalties and most of his wealth. Extra and other outlets report that he paid a lump sum of $2 million in spousal support under that agreement.
The property split drew headlines. Elizabeth received the Kentucky farm, a Malibu home and two horses, while Shatner kept his Studio City house and a ranch in Three Rivers, California. The divorce papers also gave Shatner the couple’s horse breeding supplies. Elizabeth gained visiting rights to the animals that stayed with him.
The case ended without a public fight. Neither side released a detailed statement about the reasons.
Reunion With William Shatner
Elizabeth and William Shatner reconciled around three years after the divorce. Photographers caught them together at the Living Legends of Aviation Awards in January 2023.
In March 2024, Shatner confirmed the reunion to Parade. He said he was living with his former wife and that they had in effect remarried without another ceremony. He also described them as partners who help each other through life.
The couple has appeared in public several times since. They attended the Los Angeles premiere of You Can Call Me Bill on 21 March 2024 and Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza premiere on 24 October 2024.
In August 2025, Hello Magazine reported that Elizabeth wore a large diamond ring on her wedding finger during an outing in North Hollywood. Neither of them has confirmed a new wedding, so the legal status of the relationship remains unclear.
Elizabeth Anderson Martin’s Net Worth and Public Image
No reliable source has verified Elizabeth Anderson Martin’s net worth. Figures online range from $1 million to $10 million, and none comes from financial records or a major news outlet. Treat those numbers as guesses.
What is documented is the $2 million payment tied to the 2020 settlement and her property holdings in Kentucky and California. Hello Magazine also reports that she owns the Belle Reve ranch in Kentucky.
Her public image stays modest. She avoids social media drama, speaks rarely to the press and lets her work with horses and photography define her. That restraint explains why so few verified details exist about her private life.
Elizabeth Anderson Martin Timeline at a Glance
The key dates in her life with Shatner follow a clear order, which the list below sets out for quick reference.
- 1958: Born Elizabeth Joyce Anderson in the United States (per biography sites).
- 1997: Her first husband, Michael Martin, dies.
- 1999: Nerine Kidd dies, and Elizabeth writes to Shatner.
- 2001: She marries Shatner in February.
- December 2019: Shatner files for divorce after 18 years.
- March 2020: The couple reaches a settlement.
- January 2023: They appear together at the Living Legends of Aviation Awards.
- March 2024: Shatner tells Parade they live together and have in effect remarried.
- August 2025: Photographers capture Elizabeth wearing a large diamond ring in North Hollywood.
This sequence shows a relationship that survived loss, a legal split and public scrutiny. It also explains why fans still follow her story closely.
Conclusion
Elizabeth Anderson Martin built a respected career in the horse world long before and well after her marriage to William Shatner. Her story includes early loss, a calligraphed letter, an 18-year marriage, a quiet divorce and an unexpected reunion. She remains a private figure, and her life is defined by horses, photography and a partnership that outlasted a legal split.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Elizabeth Anderson Martin?
Elizabeth Anderson Martin is an American horse trainer, equestrian judge and photographer. She is best known as William Shatner’s fourth wife. Born Elizabeth Joyce Anderson, she trained Arabian and Saddlebred horses, married Shatner in 2001, divorced him in 2020, and later reunited with him.
How old is Elizabeth Anderson Martin?
Elizabeth Anderson Martin is 67 years old as of November 2026. Biography sites report her birth date as 30 December 1958, so she turns 68 on 30 December 2026. She is about 27 years younger than William Shatner, who was born in March 1931.
When did Elizabeth Anderson Martin marry William Shatner?
She married William Shatner in February 2001. Legit.ng reports the ceremony took place on 13 February 2001 in Lebanon, Indiana. The couple bonded over their shared love of horses after Shatner lost his third wife, Nerine Kidd, in 1999.
How did Elizabeth Anderson Martin meet William Shatner?
She met him through a letter. After Nerine Kidd died in 1999, Elizabeth wrote to Shatner, and her calligraphed envelope stood out among the condolence mail. They exchanged letters, discovered a shared passion for horses, and began a relationship that led to marriage in 2001.
What does Elizabeth Anderson Martin do for a living?
She works as a horse trainer and judge, and she also practises photography and digital art. She ran a horse stable in Montecito, trained Arabian and Saddlebred horses, and judged shows such as the Indiana Arabian Club event. Her photography appears on her Art by Nature website.
Why did William Shatner and Elizabeth Anderson Martin divorce?
Shatner filed for divorce in December 2019 and cited irreconcilable differences. Neither party has given a detailed public explanation. The couple reached a settlement in March 2020 under their prenuptial agreement, and Shatner reportedly paid $2 million in spousal support.
Did Elizabeth Anderson Martin and William Shatner have children?
No, they had no children together. Shatner has three daughters from his first marriage to Gloria Rand. Elizabeth has no publicly confirmed children from her earlier marriage to Michael Martin either, and she keeps details about her family private.
Are William Shatner and Elizabeth Anderson Martin back together?
Yes, they have reunited. In March 2024, Shatner told Parade that he was living with his former wife and that they had in effect remarried without a new ceremony. The couple has attended premieres and awards events together since 2023.
What was in the Shatner and Martin divorce settlement?
The settlement split their property and animals. Elizabeth received a Kentucky farm, a Malibu home and two horses. Shatner kept his Studio City house, a Three Rivers ranch and his Star Trek royalties. The papers also gave him the horse breeding supplies and gave her visiting rights to certain animals.
What is Elizabeth Anderson Martin’s net worth?
No reliable source confirms her net worth. Websites list figures between $1 million and $10 million, but none cites financial records. The only documented sum is the reported $2 million spousal payment from the 2020 settlement, which came from Shatner under their prenuptial agreement.
