If you’ve spent any time scrolling through political Twitter or catching the nightly news lately, you’ve probably seen her. Ginger Luckey, the wife of former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, is often right there in the frame. She’s the one with the bright outfits and the unwavering support, even when things get, well, messy.
But here is the thing.
Whenever Gaetz’s name trends, a specific question starts popping up in search bars everywhere: "Who was Matt Gaetz's first wife?" People seem convinced there’s a secret starter marriage or a messy divorce tucked away in his Florida past.
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Honestly? There isn't one.
The reality is that for a guy whose life is basically a 24/7 reality show of controversy and headlines, his marital history is surprisingly short. Matt Gaetz has only been married once. ## The Ginger Luckey Era: Why People Are Confused
Let’s set the record straight. Ginger Luckey is Matt Gaetz’s first and only wife. They tied the knot in August 2021, and before that, Gaetz was one of the most eligible (and polarizing) bachelors in Washington D.C.
So why the confusion? Why do so many people think there was someone else before her?
It probably boils down to how long he was in the public eye before getting hitched. Gaetz entered the Florida House in 2010. He hit Congress in 2017. For over a decade, he was a single man in power, often seen at high-profile events. When he finally eloped to Catalina Island with Ginger—who is about 12 years his junior—it felt like a sudden shift.
Some people might also be getting tripped up by his relationship with Nestor Galban.
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Back in 2020, Gaetz shocked everyone by revealing he had been raising a young man from Cuba named Nestor for years. He calls Nestor his son, though there’s no official paperwork. During that reveal, it came out that Gaetz had previously dated Nestor's older sister. That relationship didn't lead to marriage, but it did create a "modern family" dynamic that’s way more complex than your average political bio.
A Whirlwind Romance at Mar-a-Lago
The story of how Matt met Ginger sounds like something out of a Palm Beach fever dream. It was March 2020. The world was just about to shut down. They were both at a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago.
Ginger, whose brother is the billionaire Oculus VR founder Palmer Luckey, wasn't even supposed to be there. Her mom reportedly dragged her to the event.
The next night, they went to a birthday party for Kimberly Guilfoyle. From there, it was a fast track to an engagement by December 2020 and a wedding less than a year later.
What You Need to Know About the Gaetz Family Today
Fast forward to right now, in early 2026, and the family looks a bit different. They recently welcomed their first biological child, a son named Luckey Louis Gaetz.
It’s kind of wild to think about the timing. The birth happened right as Gaetz was navigating some of the biggest career shifts of his life, including his resignation from Congress and that brief, chaotic run for Attorney General.
- The Marriage: Married in 2021 on Catalina Island.
- The Career: Resigned from his House seat in late 2024.
- The Kids: One "son," Nestor (now in his 20s), and a newborn, Luckey Louis.
If you are looking for a "first wife" who isn't Ginger, you're going to be looking for a long time. She is the only one who has ever held that title.
Why the "First Wife" Rumor Won't Die
In politics, people love a mystery. When a public figure has as many "chapters" as Gaetz—from a Florida lawyer to a MAGA firebrand to a dad—people assume there must be a hidden backstory.
Sometimes, though, the "hidden" story is just that he stayed single until his late 30s. He lived the bachelor life in a very public way, which might be why some folks assume there's an ex-wife lurking in the shadows of the Florida Panhandle.
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But based on every public record and the deep dives into his ethics investigations (which covered just about every inch of his personal life), there’s zero evidence of a prior marriage.
Actionable Insights: Verifying Political Biographies
When you’re trying to separate fact from fiction with high-profile politicians, don't just trust the first social media thread you see. Here is how to actually check:
- Check the Financial Disclosures: Members of Congress have to file these every year. They list spouses and their assets. If there was a wife before 2021, she’d be on those forms.
- Look at the "About" Sections: Wikipedia can be edited by anyone, but major news outlets like the Associated Press or the Wall Street Journal are usually solid for basic biographical facts like marriage dates.
- Search the Florida Bar: Before he was a politician, he was a lawyer. Professional records often track name changes or changes in domestic status for legal reasons.
The "Matt Gaetz first wife" search is basically a wild goose chase. Ginger is the one. Always has been. Whether she stays the "only" wife is a question for the future, but for now, the record is pretty clear.
If you’re following the latest on the Gaetz family, focus on the new baby and his post-Congress career moves—that’s where the real story is happening these days.