You’ve seen Greta Van Susteren on your screen for decades. First, it was the O.J. Simpson trial on CNN, then those fourteen years at Fox News, followed by stops at MSNBC and Newsmax. She’s the steady, rapid-fire legal mind who never seems to blink. But if you really want to understand the powerhouse that is Greta, you have to look at the guy standing right next to her.
Greta Van Susteren and husband John P. Coale are easily one of the most fascinating "power couples" in Washington D.C., though they don't exactly fit the standard mold. They aren't the types to just show up at galas and look pretty. No, they are both high-stakes litigators who have spent their lives in the middle of some of the biggest legal brawls in American history.
Honestly, it’s kind of wild when you look at their track record.
While Greta was busy grilling politicians on On the Record, John was behind the scenes, earning nicknames like "Bhopal Coale" and taking on Big Tobacco. They’ve been married since 1988. In "famous people years," that's basically an eternity.
The Man Behind the "Master of Disaster" Title
John P. Coale isn't your average lawyer. He's what some call a "mass tort" specialist. Others, less kindly, have called him an "ambulance chaser." He doesn't seem to care about the labels.
He made his name early on by being the first American lawyer on the ground after the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy in India. Thousands died. John was there to sign up clients. It was controversial, sure. But it also set the stage for a career where he wasn't afraid to go where the fire was hottest.
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He was a key player in the $346 billion tobacco settlement in the 90s. Think about that number. Most people can't even fathom a billion, let alone three hundred plus.
Why Their Marriage Works (Law and Logic)
People always ask how two high-powered lawyers stay married for nearly 40 years.
It’s probably because they speak the same language. They both went to Georgetown Law. They actually ran a law firm together—Coale & Van Susteren—before Greta’s TV career took off into the stratosphere.
They are partners in every sense.
When John was diagnosed with throat cancer years ago, Greta was his fiercest advocate. She hated when the media called the diagnosis "devastating." To her, they were lucky. They caught it early. They fought it together. He’s been in remission for a long time now, but that period really showed the grit of their relationship.
The Scientology Factor
You can't talk about Greta Van Susteren and husband John Coale without mentioning their faith. They are both Scientologists.
In a town like D.C., where everyone is usually Catholic, Jewish, or Episcopalian, this stands out. Greta has been open about it, telling People magazine back in the 90s that she’s a "strong advocate" of the church's ethics. John credited the group with helping him kick a drug problem decades ago.
It’s one of those things that people whisper about, but for them, it’s just part of their life. It doesn't seem to stop them from being friends with people from every possible background.
A Political Rollercoaster
The politics in their house must be exhausting.
Or maybe just really interesting.
John is a lifelong Democrat, but he’s not the kind who stays in his lane. He advised Sarah Palin. He helped Donald Trump with lawsuits against Big Tech. He was friends with Hillary Clinton and supported Martin O'Malley.
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Basically, he goes where the interesting legal questions are.
Greta, meanwhile, has maintained a reputation for being one of the more "straight-down-the-middle" news anchors, even when she was at Fox. She once said she left Fox because it didn't "feel like home" anymore.
They live in a world where they can have dinner with a Republican senator one night and a Democratic governor the next.
Their Real Estate and "Normal" Life
They aren't just workaholics. They have a massive collection of pets—six of them at last count.
And they have some serious real estate. They’ve owned homes in D.C., a condo in Clearwater, Florida (near the Scientology headquarters), and for a long time, a "crash pad" in New York’s Times Square.
They even co-owned a restaurant for a while, the Old Mill Inn in New York.
What You Can Learn From Their Partnership
If there’s a takeaway from the lives of Greta Van Susteren and husband John Coale, it’s about the power of a shared mission. They don't just exist in each other's orbits. They actively support each other's wild careers.
- Complementary Strengths: She’s the public face; he’s the behind-the-scenes strategist.
- Resilience: They’ve survived cancer, career shifts, and the brutal scrutiny of the 24-hour news cycle.
- Intellectual Curiosity: Neither of them seems interested in a quiet retirement. Even now, John is taking on massive class-action suits while Greta continues to anchor The Record.
If you're looking to apply some of their "power couple" energy to your own life, start by looking for a partner who isn't intimidated by your success. John was never "Mr. Greta Van Susteren." He was always John Coale, an entity unto himself.
They didn't compete; they collaborated.
That’s probably why, after nearly four decades, they’re still the most interesting couple in the room.
To keep up with their latest moves, keep an eye on Greta’s social media—she’s surprisingly active and often gives glimpses of their life with their pets. You might also want to track John's filings in First Amendment cases; he’s usually at the forefront of the next big legal trend.