Are you one of those people who wonder what happened to Elizabeth Anderson Martin — the woman who was married to William Shatner for 18 years? Most people know her as Shatner’s fourth wife, but there’s a lot more to her life than just that.
Elizabeth isn’t just known for her marriage to a famous actor. She’s also a horse lover, a talented photographer, and someone who turned her love for nature into beautiful art.
In this article, we’ll discuss everything about Elizabeth — who she is, her career, how she met William Shatner, and what really happened between them. Let’s get started!
Quick Facts About Elizabeth Shatner
👩 Full Name: Elizabeth Joyce Anderson Martin
🎂 Birthday: December 30, 1958
📍 Born In: United States
🗓️ Age in 2025: 67 years old
🇺🇸 Nationality: American
🎓 Studied at: Purdue University
💍 First Husband: Michael Glenn Martin (married in 1983)
❤️ Second Husband: William Shatner (married in 2001, divorced in 2020)
👶 Children: No kids, but stepmom to William Shatner’s three daughters
💵 Net Worth: Around $10 million (as of 2025)
Who Is Elizabeth Anderson Martin?
Elizabeth Anderson Martin is an American horse trainer, photographer, and digital artist. She was born on December 30, 1958, in the United States. So, now in 2025, she is 67 years old. Many people know her as William Shatner’s fourth wife, but even before she met him, she was already well-known for her work with horses. Apart from that, Elizabeth is white by ethnicity and follows the Christian faith.
Elizabeth’s Early Life and Family
Elizabeth grew up around nature, and from a young age, she loved animals, especially horses.
According to details, she had two siblings — a sister named Gayle Anderson and an older brother named Daniel Leith Anderson. Sadly, her brother Daniel passed away because of heart problems.
However, we don’t know much about Elizabeth’s parents, as that information hasn’t been shared publicly. But we do know that her parents raised her with love and care.
Her College Life and Education
After graduating from the area school, Elizabeth attended Purdue University in Indiana. There, she studied Animal Science with a focus on Equine Studies. In simple words, she learned how to care for horses, train them, and know what they need or how they feel.
Her college studies helped her become good at working with horses, not just riding them but also caring for them properly. Because of her degree and passion, she later became one of the top horse trainers and judges in the country. Keep reading to learn more about her career.
Her Career as a Horse Trainer and Judge
Elizabeth Anderson Martin started riding horses when she was just five years old. At the age of eight, she got her first pony, a small horse breed called a Gailceno. By the time she turned 14, she was already learning how to train horses and was taking it very seriously.
She worked for many years as a professional horse trainer and equestrian judge. She even judged horse shows like the Indiana Arabian Club and participated in national events. Her work was so impressive that she won the Whinny Award, a top honor in the horse industry.
Who Was Elizabeth Anderson Martin’s First Husband?
Before she met William Shatner, Elizabeth was married to a man named Michael Glenn Martin. They got married on November 19, 1983, and were together for over 13 years.
Sadly, Michael passed away on August 3, 1997. According to reports, he died from cancer.
She stayed single for a few years and didn’t date anyone after that. It was a very sad and quiet time in her life. Slowly, however, she began to feel better and heal. And not long after, her life changed when she met William Shatner. Keep reading to know how she met him!
How Elizabeth Met William Shatner
Elizabeth Anderson Martin met William Shatner in the late 1990s. At that time, both of them were going through a sad and tough time in their lives.
William had just lost his third wife, Nerine Kidd, who sadly died in 1999. Around the same time, Elizabeth was still feeling the pain of losing her husband, Michael. This shared sadness helped them understand each other better and brought them closer.
According to Closer Weekly, the first actual connection started when Elizabeth wrote William a kind letter to comfort him after his wife passed away. That simple letter led to talks between them. Slowly, their friendship grew, and soon it turned into a love story.
Elizabeth’s Marriage to William Shatner
On February 13, 2001, Elizabeth and William Shatner got married in Lebanon. It was a simple but very memorable wedding attended by close family and friends. William’s daughters—Leslie, Lisabeth, and Melanie—were also there to celebrate with them.
Elizabeth became William’s fourth wife and a stepmother to his children. Even though there was a 26-year age gap between them, they looked very happy together.
Why Elizabeth and William Got Divorced
After being married for 18 years, Elizabeth Anderson Martin and William Shatner decided to separate in 2018. According to details, they had problems they couldn’t fix, so their marriage ended quietly.
Their divorce was finalized in 2020. Even though their relationship ended, the divorce was quiet and peaceful. There were no big fights or public drama. That’s because they had a prenuptial agreement — a legal paper they signed before getting married. The paper clearly stated how their money, homes, and horses would be shared if they ever got divorced.
Due to this agreement, everything was settled easily. William kept most of his $100 million, including his Star Trek earnings, and Elizabeth Shatner got her fair share too.
They Got Back Together After Divorce
Here’s something that surprised a lot of people — Elizabeth Anderson Martin and William Shatner got back together after their divorce. Yes, it’s true! After spending some time apart, they found their way back to each other — and it all started during the COVID-19 quarantine.
According to Closer Weekly, they began talking again during the pandemic. Being apart made them realize that they still cared about each other. One insider said, “Whatever issues they had were either gone or resolved.” William even said he would never let her go again.
Moreover, they appeared together on the red carpet at Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA show on October 24, 2024. People were surprised but also happy to see them back as a couple.
This wasn’t just them getting back together — it was a new chance to be in love again.
What Is Elizabeth Doing Now?
As of 2025, Elizabeth Anderson Martin is living a peaceful and happy life. She still spends her time doing what she loves — working with animals and creating beautiful digital art.
She runs a project called Art by Nature, where she shares photos of nature. Her pictures are inspired by light, color, and the beauty of the world around us. She started taking photos after a safari trip, and photography has been a regular part of her life ever since.
Elizabeth is also still involved in The All Glory Project, a charity project she started with William Shatner in 2010. Apart from that, she doesn’t share much about her personal life, but from what we can see, she is in a good and peaceful place — doing what she loves.
Final Thoughts
Elizabeth Anderson Martin’s story is not just about being married to a famous actor. It’s a story about love, failure, hope, and a second chance.
She built a successful career on her own. First, she became a great horse trainer and judge, then a photographer and artist. She also helped others through charity work.
Even after her divorce, she stayed quiet and peaceful. She kept doing what she loved. And in the end, she and William Shatner found their way back to each other — showing us that true love can come back, even after time apart. We hope you found this article helpful and enjoyed learning about Elizabeth’s journey.
(FAQs)
Why is Elizabeth Anderson Martin famous?
Elizabeth is famous because she was the fourth wife of actor William Shatner.
Who was William Shatner married to before Elizabeth?
Before marrying Elizabeth, William Shatner was married three times. His third wife was Nerine Kidd, who sadly passed away in 1999. Before Nerine, he married Marcy Lafferty (his second wife), and his first wife was Gloria Rand. So in total, William Shatner has been married four times.
What is Elizabeth Shatner’s age in 2025?
She was born on December 30, 1958, so she is 67 years old in 2025.
Did Elizabeth and William Shatner have children together?
No, they did not have any children together, but Elizabeth became a stepmother to William’s three daughters from his earlier marriage.
What is Elizabeth Anderson Martin’s net worth?
As of 2025, her net worth is around $10 million, according to reports.
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