When you think of Montel Williams, you probably picture the smooth-talking, empathetic host who dominated daytime TV for seventeen years. Or maybe you think of the decorated Naval officer who became a fierce advocate for MS awareness. But behind the scenes of his public battles—both with his health and the media—there’s been a constant presence for nearly two decades. Honestly, while most Hollywood marriages fizzle out before the ink on the prenup is dry, the bond between Montel Williams and wife Tara Fowler has been surprisingly rock-solid.
They’ve been together since before the iPhone was a thing. That’s a lifetime in celebrity years.
The Bermuda Wedding That Changed Everything
Back in 2007, Montel decided to do things differently. He had been married twice before—first to Rochele See and then to Grace Morley—and those chapters were, well, complicated. By the time he met Tara Fowler, a former American Airlines flight attendant, he was 51 and looking for something that felt more like a partnership than a production.
The couple tied the knot on October 6, 2007, on a beach in Bermuda. It wasn't some massive, televised spectacle. It was intimate. We’re talking about 60 people, mostly close family and friends. The coolest detail? Their one-year-old black toy poodle, Mr. Max, was the ring bearer. He literally wore a little harness with the rings attached to his back.
You’ve gotta love a man who lets his dog take center stage at his wedding.
Montel told People magazine at the time that he was "ecstatic." He wore a gray pinstripe suit, while Tara looked incredible in an off-white Badgley Mischka gown. It felt like a fresh start for a man who had already lived ten lives.
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Surviving the "Loud Pop": When Tara Saved Montel’s Life
It’s easy to be a happy couple when you’re walking red carpets, but the real test for Montel Williams and wife Tara came in May 2018.
Montel was at a gym in New York City, pushing himself through a workout. Suddenly, he heard what he described as a "loud pop" in his head. Most people might have tried to walk it off, but Montel knew something was deeply wrong. His vision turned into a kaleidoscope. He managed to get back to his room and did the only thing that made sense: he called Tara.
He told her, "I think I’m having a stroke."
Tara didn't panic. She called 911 immediately. That quick thinking saved his life. It turned out to be a hemorrhagic stroke—a bleed in the brain that kills a lot of people. Montel spent 21 days in the hospital, and Tara never left. She literally slept in the hospital room for three weeks.
Montel later credited her entirely for his recovery, saying he basically only remembers her whispering "I love you" during those first blurry days in the ICU. That’s not just "celeb wife" behavior; that’s "ride or die" energy.
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Life with MS: A Team Effort
Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a daily grind. Montel was diagnosed way back in 1999, and he’s been very open about the neuropathic pain that sometimes feels like his feet are on fire.
While Montel is the face of the MS movement, Tara is the support system that keeps the wheels turning. They don’t just talk about health; they live it. They’ve focused heavily on a "clean" lifestyle—lots of exercise, specific diets, and managing stress.
It’s worth noting that Tara isn’t just "the wife" in the background. She has her own professional life. While she started as a flight attendant, she transitioned into the world of finance and photography. It’s this independence that seems to keep their relationship balanced. They aren’t "joined at the hip" in a codependent way; they’re two high-achieving people who choose to be together.
Navigating the Blended Family Dynamic
Let’s be real: being the third wife isn't always a walk in the park, especially when there are children involved. Montel has four kids from his previous marriages:
- Ashley and Maressa (from his marriage to Rochele See)
- Montel II and Wyntergrace (from his marriage to Grace Morley)
There have been some public hiccups over the years. Back in 2010, there was some messy litigation regarding custody and his relationship with his younger children. It was reported at the time that the relationship was strained, and there were claims that his younger kids weren't even at the 2007 wedding.
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However, time tends to heal things, or at least quiet them down. Tara has had to navigate the delicate role of stepmother in a family that has seen its fair share of headlines. Through it all, she’s stayed remarkably low-profile, avoiding the "Real Housewives" style drama that eats up other celebrity couples.
Why This Marriage Actually Works
So, what’s the secret? Why did this one stick when the others didn’t?
- Shared Mission: They both seem genuinely committed to his health advocacy. When you have a "why" that’s bigger than yourselves, the small stuff doesn't matter as much.
- Crisis Forged: Surviving a stroke and managing a chronic illness like MS creates a bond that most "glam" couples never have to face.
- Privacy: Unlike many modern celebs, they don't overshare. You’ll see them at a gala or a Red Cross event, but you won't see them airing their dirty laundry on a podcast.
Lessons from the Williams Partnership
If you’re looking at Montel Williams and wife Tara Fowler as a template for a resilient relationship, here are the takeaways:
- Trust your gut in a crisis. If Montel hadn't trusted Tara to handle the 911 call, he might not be here.
- Support goes both ways. He supports her career transitions; she supports his health battles.
- Keep the circle small. By keeping their private life relatively private, they’ve managed to outlast almost every other couple from the 2000s talk show era.
The story of Montel and Tara isn't just about a celebrity marriage. It’s a story about what happens when life hits you hard—with a diagnosis, a stroke, or a public scandal—and you have the right person standing next to you. They’ve proven that while the first or second time might not be the charm, the third one definitely can be.
Actionable Insights for Supporting a Partner with Chronic Illness:
- Educate yourself: Don't wait for your partner to explain their symptoms; research the condition (like MS) to understand the "invisible" struggles like fatigue and nerve pain.
- Be the "Calm" in the Crisis: Like Tara during Montel's stroke, having a pre-set plan for medical emergencies can save a life.
- Maintain Your Identity: A relationship stays healthy when both partners have interests outside of the "caregiver" or "patient" roles.