If you spent the better part of the last two decades watching Sam Winchester hunt demons, you probably have a soft spot for the guy who played him. But while Sam's love life on Supernatural was basically a tragic wreck, Jared Padalecki’s real life is the complete opposite. People always ask: who is Jared Padalecki married to?
Honestly, it’s one of those rare Hollywood success stories that doesn’t feel fake or manicured for the cameras. He’s married to Genevieve Padalecki (formerly Genevieve Cortese). They’ve been together for what feels like forever in "actor years," recently hitting their 15th wedding anniversary in February 2025.
It’s kinda funny how they met, though. It wasn’t at some glitzy industry party. It was on the set of Supernatural back in 2008. Genevieve had just stepped in to play the demon Ruby (the second version of the character, for the hardcore fans keeping track).
The meet-cute that involved a demon in her underwear
Most people think it was love at first sight, but Jared has joked in past panels that he probably annoyed her at first. The very first time he saw her, she was actually in her underwear, likely getting ready for a scene. He was immediately struck by her, but he didn't just rush in. He waited until she was reading a book later on to actually strike up a conversation.
Jared once recalled that she probably thought he was just some "long-haired A-hole" interrupting her reading. He wasn't wrong. She was a Tisch School of the Arts grad with a serious background in theater and shows like Wildfire, so she wasn't necessarily looking for a set-mance.
They actually spent four months just getting to know each other as friends before they even went on a real date. That foundation is basically why they’re still standing today. They didn't rush. They just... talked.
The proposal at the Met
By October 2009, Jared was ready to make it official. He didn't do the whole Jumbotron thing or a flashy public stunt. Instead, he took her to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. They stood in front of their favorite painting—French realist Jules Bastien-Lepage’s Joan of Arc—and he popped the question.
📖 Related: Tom Cruise Center Tooth: Why His Smile Defies Dental Logic
He even called her stepfather and brothers beforehand to ask for their blessing. It's those little details that make you realize they’re pretty traditional at heart. They got married on February 27, 2010, in her hometown of Sun Valley, Idaho. It was a winter wedding, and yes, it actually snowed, which made the whole thing look like a movie set.
Jensen Ackles, Jared’s on-screen brother and real-life best friend, was a groomsman. If you’ve ever seen photos of them at the wedding, you can tell the "SPN Family" thing isn't just a marketing slogan.
Life in Austin and three kids later
A lot of actors stay in LA or Vancouver, but the Padaleckis took a different route. They packed up and moved to Austin, Texas. They wanted a "normal" life for their kids, away from the paparazzi and the constant hum of Hollywood.
💡 You might also like: Drew Barrymore in the 90s: Why the Grunge Queen of Hollywood Still Matters
Today, they have three children:
- Thomas Colton, born in 2012.
- Austin "Shep" Shepherd, born in 2013.
- Odette Elliott, the youngest, born in 2017.
Living in Texas has allowed them to be more than just "actors." They’re part of the community there. Jared even owns a bar in downtown Austin called San Jac Saloon with Jensen Ackles. Genevieve, meanwhile, has built a huge following around her lifestyle brand, "Town & Key," and her "Always-On" book club. She’s not just "Jared’s wife"—she’s a powerhouse in her own right.
Working together on Walker
You'd think after years of working together on Supernatural, they’d want a break from each other’s professional lives. Nope. When Jared took the lead in the Walker, Texas Ranger reboot (Walker), Genevieve joined the cast to play his late wife, Emily Walker.
It was a bit bittersweet because her character was already dead when the show started, appearing mostly in flashbacks and visions. But for them, it was a way to spend more time together. Jared told People in 2021 that it was "magical" to have her on set. During the COVID-19 filming restrictions, it was actually a huge win because they didn't have to worry about social distancing from each other.
They’ve been very open about the fact that marriage isn't always easy, especially with Jared filming in Canada for so many years during the Supernatural run. Genevieve has admitted that they have to schedule date nights—sometimes just twice a month—to stay connected.
🔗 Read more: Nate Smith and Avril Lavigne: Why This Unexpected Duo Actually Makes Sense
Why people get their history wrong
There’s often a bit of confusion online because Jared was previously engaged to someone else, Sandra McCoy, whom he met on the movie Cry Wolf. They broke up in 2008, right before he met Genevieve. Some fans still mix up the timelines, but the reality is that Jared and Gen have been the "it" couple of the CW world for a decade and a half.
What really makes them stick is their shared sense of humor. If you follow them on Instagram, it’s mostly them making fun of each other or showing the chaotic reality of raising three kids and a bunch of farm animals in Texas.
Next steps for fans:
If you want to keep up with what they’re doing now that Walker has ended (it was canceled after four seasons in 2024), Genevieve is most active on her blog and Instagram, sharing book recommendations and gardening tips. Jared is slated to join the cast of The Boys for its final season, reuniting with his Supernatural creator Eric Kripke. Keeping an eye on their social media is the best way to see their "real" life in Austin without the filters of a PR team.