You’ve seen him screaming about the Knicks. You’ve seen him debating Goat status for the millionth time. But the one thing you haven’t seen? A wedding ring on his finger. People are constantly searching for info on whether stephen a smith married some secret partner or if he’s just the world’s most eligible sports bachelor.
The short answer is no. He isn't.
Stephen A. Smith has never been married. Not once. Not secretly. For a guy who spends his life talking for a living, he’s actually been pretty blunt about why his personal life doesn't include a spouse. It isn't because he’s a monk. It’s because he’s a workaholic.
Why He Never Walked Down the Aisle
Smith has admitted he works a minimum of 330 days a year. Think about that for a second. That is almost every single day. If you’re on the road for 200 days a year, building an empire at ESPN while juggling a podcast and a memoir, where does a wife fit in?
He was once engaged. This is a fact people often miss. He told GQ and later mentioned in his memoir, Straight Shooter, that he was headed toward the altar at one point in his life. It just didn't work out. He didn't give a name. He didn't give a "why." He basically just told the world it was none of their business.
Honestly, it’s kind of refreshing. In an era where every celebrity overshares every breakup on Instagram, Smith keeps his private life behind a steel curtain.
The "Stay Faithful" Problem
In a recent sit-down on the Talk With Flee podcast, Stephen A. got brutally honest. He talked about how, in his younger days, he knew he wasn't ready for marriage because he couldn't guarantee he’d be faithful.
"There was no way in hell I was going to be faithful. I knew that. So why the hell am I going to sit up there and violate my marital vows?"
That’s a level of self-awareness you don't usually see from TV personalities. He realized that the lifestyle of a globetrotting sports journalist—where temptation is literally "handed to you on a silver platter"—didn't mesh with being a good husband. He chose his career over a lie.
The Molly Qerim Rumors
If you’ve watched First Take lately, you’ve probably noticed the chemistry between Stephen A. and Molly Qerim. Fans have been shipping them for years. It got so bad that people started claiming they were secretly engaged or already married.
They aren't.
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They even addressed it live on air. Chris "Mad Dog" Russo made a joke about them wearing matching white outfits, and Stephen A. shut it down immediately. He called the rumors "ridiculous." Molly called them "unfounded."
Sure, they have great chemistry. They’re professionals. But the idea of stephen a smith married to his co-host is just internet fan fiction. Smith has even joked that the rumors are a compliment to his taste, but that’s as far as it goes.
Being a Father Without a Wife
While he’s never been a husband, he is a father. This is the part of his life that actually makes him emotional. He has two teenage daughters, Samantha and Nyla.
He raises them as a single father.
He’s talked about how they were his "new lease on life" after his mother, Janet Smith, passed away. He’s incredibly protective of them. He doesn't even let them watch First Take without permission because, in his words, "I might wanna go off," and he doesn't necessarily want them seeing that version of Dad every morning.
His Future Outlook on Marriage
Does he want to get married eventually? Surprisingly, yes. Even at 58, he hasn't closed the door. He’s told Howard Stern and others that he’d love to have a "Mrs. Stephen A. Smith" one day.
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He just wants to make sure he can actually be present for it. He’s mentioned that as he’s gotten older, he doesn't "chase" anymore. The priorities have shifted. He’s looking for a partner, not just a relationship.
What This Means for the Fans
If you're looking for a wedding date or a registry, you're going to be waiting a long time. Stephen A. Smith is married to the game—and to ESPN—for now.
Next Steps for the Curious:
- Read his memoir: If you want the deepest dive into his family life and his upbringing in Hollis, Queens, Straight Shooter is the only place you'll get the real story.
- Watch the interviews: Look for his appearances on The Howard Stern Show or Club Random with Bill Maher. He’s much more relaxed there than he is on the First Take desk.
- Check the facts: Ignore the TikTok "leaks" about his dating life. Unless it comes out of his mouth on his own podcast, it's probably just clickbait.
He’s a man who knows exactly who he is. Whether he ever decides to settle down or remains the world’s busiest bachelor, he’s doing it on his own terms.