Bert Girigorie: Life After Wendy Williams

Bert Girigorie is best known as the first husband of talk show icon Wendy Williams, but beyond that brief chapter in celebrity history, his life has largely flown under the radar. Unlike many figures linked to public personalities, Bert has chosen a quiet path, maintaining a successful career outside the limelight. This article explores his life post-divorce, unpacks new findings about his background, and examines how he’s moved on from a marriage that was short but unforgettable.

Quick Bio Table: Bert Girigorie

Early Life and Educational Background

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Bert Girigorie had a typical upbringing in a modest household. His strong academic foundation led him to Morehouse College in Atlanta, one of the most prestigious historically Black colleges in the United States. At Morehouse, he earned a degree in marketing and communications, setting the stage for a professional career in sales and business development.

While Bert has largely kept his childhood and family private, it’s clear that his upbringing instilled in him a grounded, business-oriented mindset that continues to serve him well.

How Bert Met Wendy Williams

Bert Girigorie and Wendy Williams met in the early 1990s when Wendy was working as a radio DJ in New York City. Bert was working in marketing and communications at the time, and their professional worlds briefly intersected. They dated for a short period before getting married in 1994.

Their relationship, however, was short-lived. The couple separated after just five months of marriage, and the divorce was finalized about a year later. The brevity of the marriage has long intrigued fans, especially given Wendy’s later rise to fame.

A Brief Marriage and Public Silence

One of the most mysterious aspects of Bert Girigorie’s story is how little is publicly known about the details of his marriage to Wendy Williams. In contrast to Wendy’s open-book persona, Bert has remained incredibly private, speaking only on rare occasions about their relationship.

He has previously suggested that the marriage was strained by Wendy’s behavior, which he allegedly found erratic. While Wendy has admitted in her memoir to drug use during that period, Bert has never elaborated publicly, choosing instead to move on.

Post-Divorce Career Moves

Following the divorce, Bert returned to his career in marketing and sales. He worked for several tech and communications companies and eventually founded his own digital marketing firm based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

According to local business directories, Bert specializes in digital strategy, brand management, and client acquisition. His firm has served several regional businesses, offering him a low-profile but financially stable career path.

Bert Girigorie’s Current Life

Today, Bert Girigorie lives a quiet life in Charlotte, North Carolina. He has stayed far from the entertainment industry and prefers a life of privacy. Sources close to him describe him as a devoted professional, often involved in community and mentorship programs for young entrepreneurs.

He is reportedly remarried but keeps details about his personal relationships extremely guarded. His avoidance of the spotlight has made him a stark contrast to Wendy Williams, whose life has unfolded in the public eye.

Bert’s Perspective on Wendy’s Fame

In a rare interview with Radar Online years ago, Bert expressed surprise at Wendy’s explosive fame in the talk show industry. He admitted that he never imagined she would become such a household name and appeared somewhat perplexed by her brand of sensationalism.

He stopped short of criticizing her directly but made it clear that he was no longer connected to her world. His only real public comment was a remark about her behavior during their brief marriage being “not quite what [he] expected.”

Wendy Williams’ Take on the Marriage

Wendy Williams has only briefly discussed her marriage to Bert Girigorie, mostly in her memoir, Wendy’s Got the Heat. She referred to the marriage as a mistake, hinting that it was more about needing stability at the time than true love.

She did not mention Bert by name in her book but acknowledged that her early relationships were affected by her substance abuse issues. Her openness has led fans to speculate about what really happened during the marriage, but with Bert’s silence, the story remains half-told.

Community Work and Mentoring

What many people don’t know is that Bert Girigorie has been active in mentorship programs for Black youth in North Carolina. He reportedly volunteers with programs that help young professionals enter the fields of marketing and communications.

In 2023, he gave a closed-door talk at a community college in Charlotte on “Marketing in the Digital Age,” which drew praise for being informative and practical. This suggests that, while he avoids the spotlight, he remains passionate about sharing knowledge.

Financial Stability vs. Celebrity Wealth

While Bert Girigorie doesn’t live the lavish life associated with celebrity culture, he is said to be financially comfortable. His company has been operating for more than a decade and is listed with multiple small business associations.

His decision to stay in the professional world rather than seek attention or capitalize on his link to Wendy Williams speaks to his values: stability over fame, and integrity over gossip.

Bert on Relationships and Privacy

Though details are scarce, some close sources indicate that Bert is happily remarried and possibly has children, although nothing has been confirmed publicly. He has zero presence on major social media platforms and doesn’t appear at public events.

His guarded personal life has made him something of an enigma in an age of oversharing — a refreshing anomaly in today’s celebrity-driven culture.

Media Attention in the Age of Wendy’s Decline

With Wendy Williams’ recent health challenges and the release of her biopic and documentaries, Bert Girigorie’s name has resurfaced. Fans and media outlets have shown renewed interest in his story, often looking to him for untold truths.

However, Bert has not taken the bait, once again choosing dignified silence over media participation. This approach has garnered him a quiet respect among fans who appreciate his discretion.

Conclusion

Bert Girigorie may have entered public awareness due to his brief marriage to Wendy Williams, but he has since proven that a meaningful life doesn’t require fame. Through hard work, discretion, and commitment to his profession, he has built a life defined not by gossip but by growth.

In many ways, Bert represents a counter-narrative to celebrity culture: a man who had his brush with fame but chose purpose over publicity.

Frequently Asked Question

Who is Bert Girigorie and what is he known for?

Bert Girigorie is primarily known as the first husband of media personality Wendy Williams. They were married briefly in the early 1990s before divorcing. However, Bert has built a career entirely separate from Wendy’s fame. He is a marketing and communications professional based in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he owns a small firm specializing in digital strategy. While he remains largely out of the public eye, his name occasionally resurfaces due to his link to Wendy.

Why did Bert Girigorie and Wendy Williams divorce?

The reasons behind their divorce remain somewhat ambiguous, as neither party has gone into full detail publicly. Bert has suggested that Wendy exhibited erratic behavior, which made the marriage unsustainable. Wendy, on the other hand, has alluded in her memoir to battling substance abuse issues during that time. The couple separated just five months after marriage, indicating serious and immediate incompatibilities. However, both have taken the high road by not delving into public accusations.

What is Bert Girigorie doing now?

As of 2025, Bert Girigorie continues to live and work in Charlotte, North Carolina. He runs a digital marketing consultancy and is active in professional development circles. He occasionally mentors young professionals and has delivered talks at community colleges and workshops. Unlike many linked to celebrities, he has chosen a quiet, career-focused life, avoiding all forms of media exploitation or public commentary on his past.

Is Bert Girigorie remarried or in a relationship?

Though not confirmed publicly, it is widely believed that Bert Girigorie has remarried and is in a stable, long-term relationship. He has intentionally kept his private life off the radar, choosing to live outside the public domain. This discretion extends to all aspects of his personal affairs — from romantic relationships to family matters — which aligns with his broader preference for privacy.

How does Bert Girigorie feel about Wendy Williams’ fame?

In his rare public remarks, Bert has expressed surprise at Wendy Williams’ rise to fame. He admitted that he didn’t foresee her becoming such a dominant voice in talk show media. However, he has never spoken negatively about her success. His general tone has been one of detachment, as he seems to have fully moved on from that chapter of his life. His respectful silence has contributed to a quiet dignity that distinguishes him in an otherwise loud media culture.