When public narratives shift overnight, the underlying human reality often gets lost in the noise. For years, readers followed Glennon Doyle as she fought to repair her marriage through intense vulnerability, detailing those exact struggles in her memoir Love Warrior. Yet, shortly after that book hit shelves, her life took a sharp turn when she met soccer icon Abby Wambach. At the center of this massive cultural shift was her ex-husband, Craig Melton. Understanding how their marriage ended, how Melton responded, and how they carved out a functional modern family provides a realistic look at modern love, loss, and personal reinvention.
Who Is Craig Melton?
Craig Melton spent much of his marriage to Doyle outside the direct spotlight, though he became a central figure in her early autobiographical work. During their marriage from 2002 to 2016, Melton worked in the corporate and sales sectors while dealing with personal struggles alongside Doyle.
In her early writing, Doyle was remarkably transparent about the fractures in their early years, including Melton's infidelity and his own battles with alcoholism. Rather than hiding these cracks, the couple initially chose transparency, attending rigorous therapy and publicly committing to rebuilding their family. Melton's public profile grew primarily because he allowed his personal life and recovery to be examined as part of Doyle's journey toward healing and faith-based community building.
The Reality of Love Warrior and the 2016 Divorce
The most complex chapter of Doyle and Melton's marriage involves the timing of Doyle's 2016 memoir Love Warrior and their subsequent separation. Doyle spent years writing the book as an agonizing, honest chronicle of surviving infidelity through couples counseling and forgiveness.
However, right as the book was going to print and selected for major book clubs, Doyle met Abby Wambach at a book convention in Chicago. That single meeting upended her internal landscape. It wasn't just that she was attracted to someone else; it was a profound awakening regarding her own identity and sexual orientation.
Realizing she could no longer maintain a marriage that required suppressing her true self, Doyle told Melton the truth. There was no hidden affair or secret betrayal; instead, it was an abrupt and honest realization that their marriage had run its course. Doyle faced an immense public relations dilemma: she was contractually obligated to tour the country promoting a book about saving a marriage that had already ended. She chose radical transparency, addressing the split head-on with her readers rather than living a constructed lie.
Co-Parenting and the Evolution of Their Family
When high-profile marriages dissolve, the public often expects bitter legal battles, custody fights, and permanent estrangement. That is not what happened between Doyle and Melton.
They share three children—Chase, Tish, and Amma. Keeping their children's stability at the forefront, Melton, Doyle, and eventually Wambach forged an unconventional co-parenting alliance. Melton didn't retreat into bitterness; instead, he evolved alongside the family's new dynamic. He even attended Doyle and Wambach's wedding in 2017, and for years, he lived just blocks away from them in Naples, Florida, to ensure the children experienced seamless, daily parental involvement.
This cooperative approach surprised many critics who expected traditional resentment. It demonstrated that the end of a romantic partnership doesn't automatically mean the destruction of a family unit, provided both parties are willing to let go of ego and focus on mutual respect.
What Craig Melton Does Now
Following the divorce, Melton maintained a relatively quiet life focused on his career and his children. While Doyle's career skyrocketed with the massive success of her subsequent memoir Untamed and her non-profit work with Together Rising, Melton remained grounded away from the media circuit.
He dedicated his time to fatherhood and personal stability, supporting his children as they navigated their teenage years in the public eye. His ability to step back from the cultural whirlwind surrounding his ex-wife allowed him to rebuild a private, stable life out of the headlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Glennon Doyle and Craig Melton divorce?
Their marriage ended in 2016 primarily because Doyle experienced a profound personal awakening and realized her sexual orientation after meeting Abby Wambach. While they had previously worked through past infidelity during years of therapy, this new realization made it clear that the marriage could not continue.
Does Craig Melton have a good relationship with Abby Wambach?
Yes. Despite the unconventional circumstances of the divorce and quick remarriage, Melton, Doyle, and Wambach built a functional, amicable co-parenting dynamic. Melton was even a guest at Doyle and Wambach's wedding.
How many children do Glennon Doyle and Craig Melton share?
They share three children: Chase, Tish, and Amma. All three grew up with both parents actively involved in their daily lives.
Where do Glennon Doyle and her family live?
Doyle, Wambach, and their children reside in Naples, Florida, where they spent years maintaining close geographic proximity to Melton to support smooth co-parenting routines.
