You’ve seen him as the tough Captain Lennox in Transformers or the charming leading man in basically every early 2010s rom-com. But these days, Josh Duhamel is making headlines for a much more low-key reason: his life in the Midwest with his wife.
So, who is Josh Duhamel’s wife? Her name is Audra Mari.
If you're wondering how a Hollywood A-lister ended up married to a former Miss World America from North Dakota, you aren't alone. It’s actually a pretty sweet story that involves a lot of shared roots, a very high-stakes message in a bottle, and a wedding that almost didn't happen because of a literal trip to the ER.
Audra Mari: The Woman Behind the Title
Audra Mari isn't just "the wife." She’s a powerhouse in her own right. Born on January 8, 1994, in Fargo, North Dakota, she grew up with a unique heritage—her grandfather is from the Philippines, making her part Filipina.
Honestly, she dominated the pageant world before most people knew her name. We're talking:
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- Miss North Dakota Teen USA 2011 (1st Runner-Up at Miss Teen USA)
- Miss North Dakota USA 2014 (1st Runner-Up at Miss USA)
- Miss World America 2016 (Winner)
She didn't just walk runways, though. She studied Public Relations and Communications at North Dakota State University. After her pageant days, she transitioned into modeling for brands like H&M and even hosted travel shows for InForum and the Welcome Channel. She’s got that "North Dakota nice" vibe that Josh apparently couldn't resist.
How They Actually Met (It Started in the DMs)
Josh Duhamel and Audra Mari didn't meet at some glitzy Oscar after-party.
Basically, Josh "slid into her DMs."
He admitted during an appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark that he’d seen her winning pageants in their home state and decided to reach out. Since they’re both North Dakota natives, they had an instant connection over "lake life" and small-town values.
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They started dating in early 2019, shortly after Josh’s divorce from Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie was finalized. For a while, the 21-year age gap made Josh hesitate. He told reporters he initially thought she was way too young for him, but her maturity eventually won him over. They were first spotted publicly kissing at a Toronto airport in October 2019 while he was filming Jupiter's Legacy.
That "Message in a Bottle" Proposal
The proposal was straight out of a movie. On January 8, 2022—which happened to be Audra’s 28th birthday—Josh popped the question on a beach.
He didn't just get down on one knee. He used a message in a bottle that "washed ashore" (with a little help from his friends while he distracted her with a game of cornhole). Inside, a handwritten note asked: "Audra Diane Mari Will You Marry Me?"
She said yes, obviously.
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A Wedding Day Emergency
The couple tied the knot on September 10, 2022, in Fargo.
But it was almost a disaster. The night before the wedding, Josh apparently tried to "hang from the rafters" of a party bus and threw his back out. He ended up in the emergency room just hours before he was supposed to walk down the aisle.
Somehow, with enough meds and sheer willpower, he made it to the altar at Olivet Lutheran Church. They celebrated afterward on the rooftop of the Jasper Hotel. Audra wore a stunning long-sleeve Anne Barge ball gown for the ceremony before switching into a feathered mini-dress for the party.
The Growing Family
In January 2024, the couple welcomed their first child together, a son named Shepherd Lawrence Duhamel.
Josh is also a dad to Axl, his son with Fergie. If you’re looking for celebrity drama, you won't find it here. Fergie has been incredibly supportive, even commenting "I am truly happy for you guys" when they announced the pregnancy. Today, the family lives a relatively quiet life "deep in the woods" in the Midwest, focusing on legacy rather than luxury.
What You Should Do Next
If you're following the couple's journey, here’s how to stay in the loop:
- Follow Audra on Instagram: She frequently posts updates about "lake life" and her work as a host under her married name, Audra Duhamel.
- Check out Ransom Canyon: Audra actually filmed a cameo for this Netflix series alongside Josh, though she joked it might have been cut in the final edit.
- Look for Josh's latest projects: He’s been vocal about how having a stable home life with Audra has changed his approach to his career, often choosing projects that allow him to stay closer to his family in Minnesota and North Dakota.