You probably know Charles Simonyi as the billionaire software titan who basically built Microsoft Word and Excel. Or maybe you know him as the guy who paid a small fortune to go to space—twice. But for a long time, if you saw him in the tabloids, he was usually standing next to Martha Stewart. They were the ultimate power couple for fifteen years. Then, almost overnight, the narrative shifted. People started asking: who did Charles Simonyi marry if it wasn't the queen of home living?
The answer is Lisa Persdotter.
Honestly, the way it happened sounds like something straight out of a movie script, though perhaps a slightly painful one if you're Martha Stewart. After a decade and a half together, Simonyi reportedly sat Martha down and told her he was getting married to someone else. That "someone else" was a Swedish woman named Lisa Persdotter.
The Wedding in Gothenburg
They didn't waste any time. On November 22, 2008, Simonyi and Persdotter tied the knot in Gothenburg, Sweden. This wasn't just some quick elopement; it was a high-profile affair held at the Christine Kyrka (the German Church).
If you want to talk about "friend goals," Bill Gates was there. He didn't just attend; he was among the close-knit group of friends who flew in for the private ceremony. Imagine having the world’s richest man at your wedding in a cold Swedish November. The reception followed at a club called Park Lane, and the couple even had a wedding gift list at the luxury shopping mall NK.
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Who exactly is Lisa Persdotter?
Lisa is the daughter of Jorgen Persson, a Swedish millionaire. There’s a significant age gap between her and Charles—about 32 years, to be precise. When they married, she was 28 and he was 60. While some people love to gossip about age differences in billionaire circles, the two have remained married for over 15 years now.
Before the wedding, she lived a relatively private life compared to the high-octane visibility of Simonyi’s previous relationship. However, she quickly stepped into the role of a billionaire's spouse, often seen supporting his philanthropic efforts and even his space-faring adventures.
Life after the Martha Stewart Era
The transition from Martha Stewart to Lisa Persdotter was jarring for the public. Simonyi and Stewart broke up around February 2008. By August, he was engaged to Lisa. By November, he was a married man.
Martha has been quite vocal about this in recent years, especially in her Netflix documentary. She recalled the moment he told her about Lisa while they were still in bed. She didn't even know who "Lisa" was. It was a clean, sharp break from a 15-year history.
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Since the wedding, Charles and Lisa have settled into a life that is remarkably stable for the tech-elite world. They have two daughters:
- Lilian Simonyi, born in February 2011.
- Livia Suzanne Simonyi, born in November 2012.
They mostly reside in their massive modern home in Medina, Washington—the same neighborhood where Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates have lived. The house, often called "Villa Simonyi," is a glass-and-steel masterpiece filled with high-end art, including pieces by Roy Lichtenstein.
Philanthropy and the Public Eye
Marriage didn't slow down Simonyi’s penchant for giving. Together, they founded the Charles and Lisa Simonyi Fund for Arts and Sciences. They’ve poured millions into:
- The Seattle Symphony.
- The Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.
- The University of Washington’s Computer Science department ($5 million in 2017 alone).
While the fund itself technically closed in 2013, their personal giving has continued. Lisa has been a constant presence at these events, bridging the gap between the tech world and the arts.
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Why the interest in Lisa Persdotter persists
People are still fascinated by this story because it represents a massive pivot in the life of one of the world's most influential programmers. Moving from a world-famous lifestyle mogul like Martha Stewart to a much younger Swedish socialite caught everyone off guard.
But looking at the timeline, it seems Simonyi was looking for a fresh start and a family, something he achieved quite rapidly with Lisa. They’ve stayed out of the messy divorce headlines that plague many of his peers, choosing instead to focus on their children and their 233-foot superyacht, Skat.
Key takeaway for those following the story: If you’re looking into the life of Charles Simonyi, the "Martha years" are a fascinating prologue, but the "Lisa years" are where he actually built his family life.
To stay updated on the philanthropic work of the Simonyi family, you can follow the news releases from the Institute for Advanced Study or the University of Washington, where their recent major contributions are documented. You can also research the architectural history of Villa Simonyi to see how the couple has influenced modern design in the Pacific Northwest.