Eddie Murphy is a legend. There is no other way to put it. From Beverly Hills Cop to Coming 2 America, the guy has been a permanent fixture in our living rooms for decades. But while everyone knows Axel Foley, the details about Eddie Murphy wife history and his current relationship with Paige Butcher are often a bit of a muddle for the average fan. People get confused because he has ten kids and a very public dating history that includes some of the biggest names in the industry.
Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of.
If you are looking for the current "wife" of Eddie Murphy, you are actually looking for his fiancée, Paige Butcher. They have been together forever. Since 2012, actually. They got engaged back in 2018, right around the time their second child together was born. While they haven't had a massive, televised "I do" moment that hit the tabloids, they operate as a rock-solid unit.
The Paige Butcher Era: More Than Just a Title
Paige Butcher is an Australian model and actress, but she is famously private. That’s rare in Hollywood. Usually, if you’re dating an A-lister, you’re all over Instagram. Not Paige. She actually deleted all her social media accounts years ago. Why? She said she wanted to keep her private life private. It’s a move that seems to have worked for their relationship.
They met on the set of Big Momma's House 2 in 2006, but things didn't get romantic until much later.
Since 2012, she has been the steady force by his side. They have two children together: a daughter named Izzy Oona and a son named Max Charles. The "Charles" is a tribute to Eddie’s late brother, Charlie Murphy, who was a comedic powerhouse in his own right on Chappelle's Show.
It’s interesting to see how Eddie talks about her in interviews now. He’s mellowed. The guy who used to be the biggest rockstar in comedy seems perfectly happy just being a family man. They show up on red carpets—usually looking incredible—but they don't sell their lives to the highest bidder. That’s probably why people keep searching for Eddie Murphy wife; the lack of constant drama makes people wonder if they actually tied the knot in secret.
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Looking Back: Nicole Mitchell Murphy
You can't talk about Eddie's family life without mentioning Nicole Mitchell. She was the one. For a long time, anyway.
They met in 1988 at an NAACP Image Awards show. They were the "it" couple of the 90s. They got married in 1993 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. It was a massive affair. They stayed married for 12 years before Nicole filed for divorce in 2005, citing irreconcilable differences.
They have five children together: Bria, Myles, Shayne, Zola, and Bella.
What’s actually impressive—and I mean really impressive—is how they handle the post-divorce life. You see them at events together supporting their kids all the time. There’s no public bickering. Eddie has famously said that his world revolves around his kids and that his relationship with Nicole is grounded in that shared love. It’s a blueprint for how Hollywood divorces should look, even if they rarely do.
The Mel B and Tracey Edmonds Chapters
Things got a little complicated after the divorce from Nicole.
First, there was Melanie Brown, aka Mel B from the Spice Girls. That was a whirlwind. It resulted in a daughter, Angel Iris Murphy Brown. There was some initial drama regarding paternity, but that’s all long settled now. Angel is a regular part of the Murphy family gatherings.
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Then came the Tracey Edmonds situation.
This is the one that always trips people up. In 2008, Eddie and Tracey had a wedding ceremony on a private island off Bora Bora. It looked like a marriage. It felt like a marriage. But legally? It wasn't. They never actually had a civil ceremony in the States. They released a statement shortly after saying they had decided to remain friends instead of legally marrying.
So, if you’re counting legal wives, the list is actually much shorter than the "relationships" list.
Why the Public is So Obsessed with Eddie's Family Tree
Ten kids. That’s the number that blows people’s minds.
- Eric (with Paulette McNeely)
- Bria (with Nicole Mitchell)
- Christian (with Tamara Hood)
- Myles (with Nicole)
- Shayne (with Nicole)
- Zola (with Nicole)
- Bella (with Nicole)
- Angel (with Mel B)
- Izzy (with Paige Butcher)
- Max (with Paige)
When you see them all together in a Christmas photo—which Bria Murphy often posts—it looks like a small army. But they look happy. Truly. Eddie has gone on record saying there is "no higher blessing" than having all his children. He doesn't see it as a burden or a "Hollywood trope." He sees it as his life's work.
He once told Mirror, "I really got lucky with my kids. There really isn’t a bad one in the bunch."
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Common Misconceptions About Eddie Murphy's Relationship Status
People often assume he is currently married because he’s been with Paige for over a decade. In the eyes of many, she is Eddie Murphy wife in every way that matters. But as of 2024 and 2025, they haven't officially confirmed a legal ceremony.
Does it matter? Probably not to them.
The couple is frequently spotted in Los Angeles, usually grabbing coffee or heading to a movie premiere. They lead a surprisingly low-key life for someone of Eddie’s stature. You won't find them in the middle of a Twitter feud or a reality TV show.
The Dynamics of a Modern "Mega-Family"
Managing ten children from five different women sounds like a logistical nightmare. Yet, the Murphys make it look effortless. This is largely due to the maturity of the women involved. Nicole Mitchell Murphy, Paige Butcher, and even Mel B have shown a level of cooperation that is rarely seen in the spotlight.
The kids are close, too.
Bria Murphy is an artist. Myles is a father himself now, making Eddie a grandfather. Bella is following in her dad's footsteps, appearing alongside him in Coming 2 America. The family isn't just a list of names; they are a functioning creative collective.
Actionable Insights for Following the Murphy Family
If you want to stay updated on the Murphy clan without falling for tabloid rumors, there are better ways than just Googling "Eddie Murphy wife" every few months.
- Follow the adult children: Bria Murphy (@bria_murphy) and Shayne Murphy often post family holiday photos that include Eddie and Paige. This is where you get the most authentic look at their lives.
- Check the Red Carpet: Eddie usually brings the whole crew to his major premieres. The Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F premiere was a great example of the family showing out in full force.
- Ignore the "Secret Wedding" clickbait: Unless a major outlet like People or The Hollywood Reporter confirms it, those "They got married in secret!" headlines are almost always just fluff.
- Look for the Work: Eddie’s career moves often reflect his family life. He’s moved into more family-friendly or "legacy" projects lately, which is a direct result of his role as a patriarch.
Eddie Murphy’s journey from a 19-year-old SNL phenom to a 60-something father of ten has been wild. While his marital history has its peaks and valleys, his current path with Paige Butcher seems to be his most stable yet. Whether they ever sign the legal papers or not, the partnership is clearly the real deal. It’s a reminder that in Hollywood, sometimes the most successful relationships are the ones you hear about the least.