Introduction
William Shatner’s former wife was Elizabeth Joyce Anderson Martin, an American horsewoman, equine judge, photographer, and digital artist born on December 30, 1958, in Versailles, Kentucky. William Shatner is the Canadian actor best known for playing Captain James T. Kirk in the original Star Trek television series and films. He later earned acclaim for roles in T.J. Hooker and Boston Legal, while also building careers as an author, director, musician, and public figure.
For people searching for William Shatner wife, it is important to clarify that Elizabeth and Shatner are no longer married. They married on February 13, 2001, in Lebanon, Indiana, and their divorce was finalized on March 3, 2020. Their relationship lasted nearly two decades and connected two people who shared a strong interest in horses, nature, and charitable work.
Elizabeth’s story is interesting beyond her Hollywood marriage. She built a career in the equestrian world, became an accomplished horse trainer and judge, and later developed a distinctive career as a photographer and digital artist. This article explores her background, education, professional achievements, relationship with Shatner, family life, social media presence, and what is publicly known about her life after their divorce.
Who Is Elizabeth Anderson Martin?
Elizabeth Joyce Anderson Martin, commonly known as Elizabeth Shatner during her marriage, was born on December 30, 1958. IMDb lists her birthplace as Versailles, Kentucky, and identifies her birth name as Elizabeth Joyce Anderson. She is American and developed a passion for horses from an early age.
Her interest in horses was more than a childhood hobby. Reports about her equestrian career say she began riding when she was about five years old and eventually progressed into professional horse training and judging. Her early connection with horses helped shape the direction of her education and later career.
Elizabeth attended Purdue University in Indiana, where she studied equine and animal science. An equine-industry profile also reports that she studied telecommunications at Butler University. Her education complemented her practical experience with horses and gave her a professional foundation in an area she had loved since childhood.
She also developed an interest in nature and visual art. That interest became increasingly important later in her life when photography and digital art became part of her professional identity.
Elizabeth had previously been married to Michael Glenn Martin, who died in 1997. She later became William Shatner’s fourth wife. During her marriage to Shatner, she was also a stepmother to his three daughters from his first marriage to actress Gloria Rand: Leslie, Lisabeth, and Melanie.
Elizabeth Anderson Martin’s Career & Professional Life
Elizabeth Anderson Martin established herself professionally through the equestrian world long before her marriage to a famous actor. She worked as a professional horse trainer and later became an equine judge. Her knowledge of horses and years of practical experience helped her gain recognition within the horse industry.
Her career included judging horse competitions and participating in major equestrian events. She was also recognized at the first WHINNY Awards in 2011, an event honoring women and others making contributions to the horse industry. Elizabeth received an award at the event, and William Shatner was also among the recipients.
Elizabeth’s interests eventually expanded beyond horses. A photo safari in Israel with William Shatner and professional photographers helped introduce her more deeply to photography. Her official art website says the experience played an important role in her development as a photographer.
She later created a body of work called Art by Nature, combining photography and digital technology. Her work, which she has called “Flowrosophy,” focuses on shapes, colors, light, flowers, horses, and other elements of nature. Her official website describes her as a photographer and digital artist and continues to showcase information about her artistic work.
Elizabeth has also been involved in charitable causes. She participated in the Hollywood Charity Horse Show, an event associated with William Shatner that raises funds for children’s charities. She also founded the All Glory Project in 2010, a nonprofit initiative focused on animal-assisted therapy and support for military veterans and their families.
Online sources sometimes estimate Elizabeth’s personal net worth at around $10 million, but there is no authoritative public financial record confirming that figure. Therefore, such estimates should be treated as unverified rather than established fact.
How Did William Shatner and Elizabeth Martin Meet?
The exact circumstances of William Shatner and Elizabeth Martin’s first meeting are not documented in a detailed, authoritative public account. However, available biographical reports connect their relationship to a shared love of horses and the difficult period both had experienced after losing previous spouses.
Elizabeth’s first husband, Michael Glenn Martin, died in 1997. William Shatner’s third wife, Nerine Kidd, died in an accidental drowning in August 1999. Shatner and Elizabeth subsequently developed a relationship that eventually led to marriage.
Some biographical accounts say the pair met in 2001 and bonded over their shared interest in horses and experiences of grief. Because the precise details of their first meeting have been reported differently by secondary sources, it is safer to avoid presenting an unverified story as an established fact.
Their relationship progressed quickly. Shatner was 69 and Elizabeth was 42 when they married in February 2001. Contemporary reports noted the age difference, but the couple largely kept the details of their private relationship away from intense media attention.
Their shared passion for horses became an important part of their life together. Elizabeth was already an experienced horsewoman, while Shatner had developed his own interest in horse breeding, riding, and equestrian activities.
There is limited reliable public information about a formal engagement announcement. Rather than inventing an engagement story, available records indicate that the couple proceeded to marriage in early 2001 after their relationship developed.
Marriage & Wedding Details
William Shatner and Elizabeth Martin married on February 13, 2001, in Lebanon, Indiana. Contemporary reports provide unusually specific details about the wedding. The couple obtained their marriage license at the Boone County Courthouse in Lebanon before holding their ceremony.
The wedding took place at the home of Elizabeth’s parents on a horse farm in Lebanon, according to contemporary reporting from TrekToday. The ceremony was intentionally low-key, helping the couple avoid the large media attention that might have surrounded a celebrity wedding.
Elizabeth was 42 and Shatner was 69 at the time. The marriage was Shatner’s fourth and Elizabeth’s second.
Their wedding was significant because it marked a new chapter for both. Elizabeth entered the marriage with a successful equestrian career, while Shatner was already an established international star.
The couple remained together for about 18 years. In December 2019, reports emerged that Shatner had filed for divorce. Their divorce was finalized on March 3, 2020.
Children & Family Life
Elizabeth Martin and William Shatner did not have biological children together. Instead, Elizabeth became a stepmother to Shatner’s three daughters from his first marriage to Gloria Rand: Leslie Carol Shatner, Lisabeth Mary Shatner, and Melanie Ann Shatner.
Leslie, born in 1958, eventually became an occupational therapist after briefly appearing on Star Trek. Lisabeth, born in 1961, explored acting and later developed interests in writing and sculpture. Melanie, born in 1964, pursued acting for a period before moving into other areas of life.
Elizabeth’s role in the family therefore involved being a stepmother rather than raising biological children with Shatner. The couple’s shared interest in horses also became part of their family and lifestyle.
Shatner’s career required extensive travel and public appearances, but he has often spoken about the importance of family. His daughters have described him as a committed father who made efforts to spend time with them despite his demanding career.
Elizabeth and Shatner generally maintained a relatively private family life. Their public appearances often centered on equestrian events, charity work, entertainment projects, or their shared interests rather than revealing extensive details about their household.
After their divorce, there has been limited verified information about Elizabeth’s private family life. That lack of information reflects the relatively private nature of her public profile rather than evidence of any particular personal circumstance.
Elizabeth Martin on Social Media
Elizabeth Martin has maintained a public presence connected to her professional and artistic interests. Older sources identify social-media accounts associated with the name Elizabeth Shatner, including Twitter/X, while her official art website remains an important online source for her photography and digital artwork.
Her online work has focused on nature, photography, horses, digital art, exhibitions, and charitable projects. Her Art by Nature website describes her creative process and provides information about exhibitions and artwork.
A current, independently verified follower count for her social-media accounts is not reliably available from authoritative sources, so a specific number should not be presented as fact. Her official art presence is more useful for readers interested in her creative career.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elizabeth Joyce Anderson Martin |
| Date of Birth | December 30, 1958 |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Versailles, Kentucky, USA |
| Profession | Horse trainer, equine judge, photographer, digital artist |
| Married to | William Shatner, formerly |
| Marriage Year | 2001 |
| Divorce Finalized | March 3, 2020 |
| Children | No children with Shatner; stepmother to 3 daughters |
| Net Worth | No authoritative public figure available |
Frequently Asked Questions About William Shatner’s Wife
Q: What is William Shatner’s wife name?
A: William Shatner’s most recent wife was Elizabeth Joyce Anderson Martin, also known as Elizabeth Shatner. They married in 2001 and divorced in 2020.
Q: How old is Elizabeth Martin?
A: Elizabeth Martin was born on December 30, 1958. As of August 2026, she is 67 years old and will turn 68 in December 2026.
Q: What does Elizabeth Martin do for a living?
A: Elizabeth Martin is known for her work as a horse trainer and professional equine judge. She also became a photographer and digital artist through her Art by Nature work.
Q: When did William Shatner and Elizabeth Martin get married?
A: William Shatner and Elizabeth Martin married on February 13, 2001, in Lebanon, Indiana. Their divorce was finalized in March 2020.
Q: How many kids do William Shatner and Elizabeth Martin have?
A: William Shatner and Elizabeth Martin did not have children together. Elizabeth was stepmother to Shatner’s three daughters from his first marriage.
Conclusion
Elizabeth Joyce Anderson Martin was much more than William Shatner’s former wife. She built a professional identity through horses, becoming a trainer and equine judge before expanding into photography and digital art. Her Art by Nature and Flowrosophy projects reflect her long-standing appreciation for nature, while her charitable activities show another important side of her career.
William Shatner and Elizabeth married in 2001 and remained together for nearly two decades before their divorce was finalized in 2020. Although their marriage has ended, Elizabeth’s independent achievements remain an important part of her story. For anyone searching for William Shatner wife, Elizabeth Martin is the most recent person to hold that title, but today she is best described as his former wife and an accomplished equestrian and artist.
