When you see Julie Montagu, the now-Countess of Sandwich, gliding through the 1,900-acre Mapperton House estate or leading a yoga retreat, it’s easy to get lost in the "American Aristocrat" narrative. It's basically a real-life Downton Abbey reboot, but with more green juice and fewer corsets. But for those who’ve followed her journey since the Ladies of London days, there is often a lingering question about her two eldest children, Emma and Jack. Specifically, fans often find themselves searching for details on Julie Montagu daughter Emma father and the life Julie led before she became a member of one of Britain’s most storied families.
Family dynamics in the public eye are rarely as simple as a Wikipedia sidebar makes them look. Honestly, the story of how Julie went from a single mom in London to the Countess of Sandwich is a lot more grounded—and at times, more stressful—than the titles suggest.
The Early Years and the First Marriage
Before the titles and the Dorset manor, Julie Jean Fisher was a girl from Sugar Grove, Illinois. She eventually moved to London to work for a digital agency. It was during this period of her life, long before she met Luke Montagu, that she was first married.
Julie’s daughter, Emma Fisher (born around 1999), and her son, Jack Fisher (born around 2001), are from this first marriage. While Julie is an open book about her life on her YouTube channel American Countess and her various TV projects, she has kept the identity of her first husband—the father of Emma and Jack—private. Unlike the Montagu family, he isn't a public figure, and Julie has respected that boundary for over two decades.
This is a pretty common move for people in the spotlight. You’ve got the public-facing side of the family, and then you’ve got the private past that stays, well, private. Emma and Jack carry the surname Fisher, which is Julie’s maiden name.
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A Single Mom in London
Think about the timeline for a second. When Julie met Luke Montagu at a party in 2003, she wasn't just a young American expat; she was a single mother of two toddlers. Emma was roughly four, and Jack was around two.
She’s often talked about how she didn't think Luke would be interested in someone who already had "a full life" (aka two kids under five). It’s kind of refreshing, right? It makes the whole "marrying an Earl" thing feel a lot more human. She wasn't looking for a castle; she was just a mom working at a digital agency trying to make a life in a foreign city.
Who is Emma Montagu's Father Figure?
While we don't have a name for her biological father, the role of "father figure" in Emma’s life has been dominated by Luke Montagu, the 12th Earl of Sandwich.
When Luke and Julie married in June 2004 at Mapperton House, Emma and Jack became part of the Montagu household. They didn't just move into a big house; they moved into a legacy. However, because Emma and Jack are from a previous marriage, they do not hold aristocratic titles like their younger brothers, William and Nestor.
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- William Montagu, Viscount Hinchingbrooke: The heir to the Earldom.
- The Hon. Nestor Montagu: The younger son of Luke and Julie.
- Emma and Jack Fisher: Julie's eldest children, who have grown up as part of the family but remain "commoners" in the eyes of British peerage law.
Growing Up at Mapperton
The transition wasn't always a fairytale. Shortly after they married, Luke suffered a devastating reaction to a prescription drug withdrawal that left him unable to work for years. Suddenly, the "American Viscountess" had to become the primary breadwinner.
Emma and Jack watched their mother hustle. Julie started teaching yoga in village halls, selling healthy snacks, and eventually landing the spot on Bravo’s Ladies of London. In a way, Emma and Jack saw the "real" side of the aristocracy—the side where you’re trying to keep the roof from leaking on a massive estate while your husband is seriously ill.
Emma has occasionally appeared in the background of Julie’s social media and her show American Countess. Now in her mid-20s, she’s lived a life that bridges two worlds: her Midwestern American roots and the high-society British upbringing she’s had since she was five.
Why the Mystery Persists
Why do people keep searching for Julie Montagu daughter Emma father?
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Part of it is just the nature of the internet. We want to complete the family tree. But another part is the contrast between Julie’s current life and her past. We see the Earl, the Countess, and the heir, so the missing piece of the puzzle—the first husband—becomes a point of curiosity.
The reality is likely quite boring. He’s probably a regular guy who lived in London or the States, and they just didn't work out. By keeping him out of the press, Julie has allowed Emma and Jack to have a semblance of a normal life away from the "American Aristocrat" brand.
What You Should Know About the Montagu Legacy
If you’re looking into this family, it’s worth noting that the titles recently shifted. On February 1, 2025, Luke’s father, the 11th Earl of Sandwich, passed away. This officially moved Luke and Julie into the roles of Earl and Countess.
This change doesn't affect Emma’s legal standing, but it does mean she is now the daughter of a Countess. Whether she’s at Mapperton or carving out her own path, her story is a unique blend of American grit and British tradition.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Researchers
- Respect the Privacy: Julie has intentionally kept her first husband's name out of the media for 20+ years. It’s a choice made for the privacy of her children.
- Watch the Documentary Series: If you want to see the family dynamic (including the kids) in a more natural setting, Julie’s American Countess series on YouTube or her programs on the Smithsonian Channel provide a much better look than any tabloid.
- Understand the Titles: Remember that in the UK, titles don't transfer to step-children or children from previous marriages. Emma remains Emma Fisher, regardless of her mother's rank.
The story of Julie Montagu and her daughter Emma is one of resilience. It reminds us that behind every "perfect" aristocratic family is a history that includes real-world struggles, blended families, and the hard work of raising kids in the public eye.