You’ve probably seen the grainy cell phone footage or heard the rumors of a rock star marrying his girlfriend in the middle of a set. It sounds like something out of a movie script, but for Jack White, it was just a Friday night in Detroit. If you’re wondering who is Jack White married to right now, the answer is Olivia Jean.
She isn't just a "rock star wife" in the traditional, arm-candy sense of the word. Far from it. Olivia Jean is a powerhouse musician, a surf-rock devotee, and a longtime fixture in the Third Man Records ecosystem. Their relationship is a mix of high-voltage creative energy and a surprisingly grounded personal life in Nashville.
It's pretty rare to see a guy like Jack White—someone who literally spent years telling people his bandmate Meg was his sister—be so public about a romantic gesture. But when he proposed and tied the knot in April 2022, he didn't just share it with the world; he invited several thousand fans to the ceremony.
That Incredible Night at the Masonic Temple
Most people found out about their relationship in the most dramatic way possible. On April 8, 2022, Jack was playing his homecoming show at Detroit’s Masonic Temple. It was the kickoff of the Supply Chain Issues Tour. Everything seemed normal until the encore.
During a rendition of "Hotel Yorba," White pulled Olivia Jean onstage. Right before the lyric "let's get married," he actually popped the question.
She said yes (obviously).
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But the weird part? They didn't wait. They didn't go to a courthouse the next week or plan a destination wedding in the Maldives. They brought out Jack’s mother, Olivia’s father, and an officiant right then and there. Ben Swank, a co-founder of Third Man Records and an ordained minister, performed the ceremony while the crowd watched in total disbelief.
Basically, the "who is Jack White married to" question was answered in about fifteen minutes of live performance.
Who Exactly Is Olivia Jean?
If you only know her as Jack’s wife, you’re missing a huge chunk of the story. Olivia Jean Markel grew up in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. She was a self-described music nerd who used to hand out demo CDs at concerts. One of those CDs ended up in Jack White’s hands back in 2009.
He didn't just like her music; he invited her to Nashville to record.
She became the frontwoman of the Black Belles, an all-female "goth-garage" band that looked like they stepped out of an Addams Family reboot. They had a specific look—black hats, pale skin, dark hair—and a sound that was all fuzzed-out surf guitar and attitude. After the band went on hiatus, she launched a solo career with albums like Bathtub Love Killings and Night Owl.
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Honestly, they’re a perfect match. They both obsess over analog gear, vintage aesthetics, and that specific Detroit garage-rock grit. You’ll often see her playing on his albums or performing in his live bands. Most recently, she contributed to his 2024 surprise release, No Name.
A Look Back at Jack's Past Marriages
To understand why the marriage to Olivia Jean feels different, you kind of have to look at the history. Jack White doesn't do "normal" relationships.
The Meg White Era (1996–2000)
This is the one that still confuses people. Jack married Meg White in 1996. He actually took her last name, which is why he is Jack White and not Jack Gillis. When The White Stripes blew up, they told the press they were brother and sister. It was a weird bit of performance art that allowed them to keep the focus on the music rather than their divorce, which happened in 2000.
The Karen Elson Era (2005–2013)
In 2005, Jack married British supermodel Karen Elson. They got married in a canoe on the Amazon River, which is very on-brand for him. They have two children together: Scarlett Teresa and Henry Lee. While they eventually divorced in 2013, they initially tried to keep things amicable—even throwing a "divorce party" to celebrate their time together.
Life in 2026: The White-Jean Household
Fast forward to today. Jack recently turned 50, and he’s still making headlines for his "eccentric" lifestyle. For his birthday in 2025, Olivia Jean famously gave him his first-ever cell phone. Before that, the man was famously unreachable unless you knew where he was physically standing.
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They live in Nashville, which has become the headquarters for the Third Man empire. While they are both high-profile musicians, they tend to keep their private life remarkably quiet when they aren't on a stage. You won't find them in many tabloids, mostly because they're too busy running a vinyl pressing plant and recording new tracks in their backyard studio.
Why This Relationship Works
- Shared Musical Language: They don't just live together; they work together. Olivia has been a session musician on almost all of Jack's solo projects.
- The Detroit Connection: Both are from the same area and share a reverence for the city's musical history.
- Privacy: Despite the onstage wedding, they don't overshare on social media. They keep the mystery alive.
Common Misconceptions About Jack White's Marriage
People still ask if he’s back with Meg. No. They haven't been a "thing" since the late nineties. Others wonder if the onstage wedding was just a PR stunt. While it certainly generated a lot of press, the marriage is legally binding and has lasted longer than many of the skeptics predicted.
It's also worth noting that Olivia Jean has maintained her own identity. She still tours as a solo artist and manages her own creative projects. She isn't just "Mrs. Jack White"—she's a peer who happens to be married to the guy who signed her.
What's Next for the Couple?
If you want to keep up with them, the best way is through their music. Jack is currently riding high on the success of his latest tour, and Olivia is reportedly working on new material of her own. They seem to have found a balance that works: a mix of public performance and private stability.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out Olivia Jean’s solo discography, specifically the album Raving Ghost, to hear her unique surf-goth sound.
- If you're looking for their collaborations, listen to the credits on Jack White's Fear of the Dawn and Entering Heaven Alive—her fingerprints are all over those records.
- Follow the Third Man Records social channels rather than celebrity gossip sites if you want real updates on their projects.
The question of who is Jack White married to isn't just a bit of trivia. It’s a look into how one of the most private, enigmatic figures in rock music finally found a partner who speaks the same strange, beautiful language as he does.
Actionable Insight: If you're interested in the gear and sound that this duo uses, look into "Third Man Hardware." They often release specialized pedals and equipment that define their specific garage-rock tone, allowing you to replicate some of that Detroit magic at home.