You probably know her as the shimmering angel Monica from Touched by an Angel, or maybe you’ve seen her more recently producing massive faith-based epics. But off-camera, fans always ask the same thing: who is Roma Downey married to and how have they stayed together in a town where most marriages last about as long as a movie trailer?
Honestly, it’s one of those rare Hollywood success stories. Roma Downey is married to Mark Burnett, the legendary television producer who basically invented the modern reality TV era. We’re talking about the guy behind Survivor, The Apprentice, Shark Tank, and The Voice.
They’ve been a power couple for nearly two decades now. It’s not just a romantic partnership, though; it’s a full-on business empire. They don't just share a home in Malibu; they share a production company and a very specific mission to bring faith-centric content to the masses.
How Roma and Mark Actually Met
It wasn't some glitzy red-carpet meet-cute. Believe it or not, they actually met in a hair salon back in 2004. Roma has told the story before—she was just getting her hair done, and there he was.
At the time, Roma was a household name because of her decade-long run on CBS. Mark was the "King of Reality TV," riding high on the massive success of Survivor. They started dating shortly after that salon encounter, and things moved pretty steadily.
By Thanksgiving 2006, Mark was ready to make it official. During a family vacation in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, he popped the question. It was a real family affair, involving their kids from previous relationships, which set the tone for the blended family they’ve maintained ever since.
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The Malibu Wedding That Everyone Talked About
They tied the knot on April 28, 2007. The ceremony wasn’t held in some massive cathedral or a Vegas chapel. Instead, they kept it personal at their estate in Malibu, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
The coolest part? The wedding was officiated by the late Della Reese.
If you grew up watching Touched by an Angel, you know Della played Tess, Roma’s mentor and "angel boss." In real life, they were just as close. Roma often referred to Della as her mother figure, so having her perform the ceremony made total sense. It was small, intimate, and very "them."
A Blended Family Dynamic
Before they found each other, both had been down the aisle before.
- Roma's History: She was briefly married to actor Leland Orser in the late 80s. Later, she married director David Anspaugh (Hoosiers, Rudy), with whom she has a daughter, Reilly Marie.
- Mark's History: Mark had two previous marriages as well, most notably to Dianne Burnett, with whom he has two sons, James and Cameron.
When they got married, they didn't just become husband and wife; they became parents to a tribe of three. You’ve probably seen them on red carpets together over the years. They’ve been very vocal about the fact that "success" for them isn't about Emmy awards or Nielsen ratings—it’s about having a family that actually likes each other.
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In 2014, the family faced a major scare when Mark's son, Cameron, had to undergo significant brain surgery to remove a tumor. Roma and Mark have spoken about how that experience deepened their bond and their reliance on their faith.
The Business of Faith: LightWorkers Media
One thing that makes this marriage unique is how much they work together. In 2009, they co-founded LightWorkers Media. Basically, they decided to combine her acting/storytelling background with his massive production muscle.
Their biggest hit? The Bible miniseries on the History Channel.
People told them they were crazy. They said nobody would watch a ten-hour scripted show about the Bible in 2013. Well, over 100 million people watched it. It was a juggernaut. They followed that up with the feature film Son of God and projects like The Baxters, which recently hit streaming platforms.
Mark has even taken on high-level roles recently, including his appointment in 2025 as a Special Envoy for the United Kingdom under the Trump administration, showing just how far his influence stretches beyond the TV screen.
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Why It Seems to Work
If you listen to them in interviews, they call themselves the “noisiest Christians in Hollywood.” They don't shy away from their beliefs, and that shared foundation seems to be the glue. While a lot of industry couples compete with each other, these two seem to operate as a single unit.
They also do a ton of philanthropy. They’ve been "Smile Ambassadors" for Operation Smile for years and started the Cradle of Christianity Fund to help refugees in the Middle East. It's clear their marriage is built on more than just Hollywood glitz; it’s built on a shared worldview.
What’s Next for the Couple?
As of 2026, the duo shows no signs of slowing down. Roma is still active in front of the camera and behind it, focusing on stories that "light a candle rather than curse the darkness," as she likes to say.
If you’re looking to keep up with their latest work or their family life, here are a few things you can do:
- Check out The Baxters: It’s a scripted series based on Karen Kingsbury’s books that Roma produced and stars in.
- Follow Roma on social media: She’s quite active on Instagram, often sharing "Box of Butterflies" inspirations and behind-the-scenes glimpses of her life with Mark in Malibu.
- Look into LightWorkers: They constantly release short-form inspirational content if you need a break from the usual heavy news cycle.
Roma Downey and Mark Burnett have proven that you can be a "Power Couple" without the typical Hollywood drama. They found each other later in life, brought their families together, and built a legacy that’s about much more than just fame.