Steven Spielberg has been married twice, first to actress Amy Irving from 1985 to 1989, and subsequently to actress Kate Capshaw since 1991. While celebrity gossip sites often confuse his marital history or mix up his relationships with other public figures like Melissa Mathison or Calista Flockhart, Spielberg's actual marital timeline consists of two high-profile unions that shaped both his personal life and his trajectory as a Hollywood titan.
Understanding Spielberg's marriages requires looking past internet rumors and examining the real timelines, the collaborative artistic environments he shared with his spouses, and how his family life expanded into a blended household of seven children.
The Marriage to Amy Irving (1985–1989)
Steven Spielberg met actress Amy Irving in the early 1980s when she auditioned for Raiders of the Lost Ark. Though she didn't get that specific role, they began a relationship that quickly became one of Hollywood's most-watched romances. They married in 1985 in a ceremony at the Santa Barbara Mission.
At the time, Irving was carving out a successful acting career with standout roles in films like Brian De Palma's Carrie, The Fury, and later Yentl (directed by Barbra Streisand). Their marriage operated under the intense spotlight of the entertainment industry, balancing two demanding careers at the peak of the 1980s blockbusters era.
The Separation and Settlement
The marriage faced significant pressures from competing schedules and intense media scrutiny. They separated in 1989, leading to one of the most publicized celebrity divorces of the decade. Reports at the time widely covered the legal proceedings and the eventual divorce settlement, which became a frequently cited piece of Hollywood trivia regarding prenuptial agreements. Despite the high-profile split, the two shared custody of their son, Max Spielberg, born in 1985, and maintained a cooperative co-parenting dynamic over the decades.
The Marriage to Kate Capshaw (1991–Present)
Spielberg met his second and current wife, Kate Capshaw, on the set of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), where she starred as the nightclub singer Willie Scott. At the time, both were involved in other relationships, but they reconnected years later after Spielberg's divorce from Irving.
They married on October 12, 1991. Unlike his first marriage, Spielberg and Capshaw's union proved remarkably enduring, crossing the threshold of over three decades together. Capshaw largely stepped away from full-time acting in the late 1990s to focus on raising their expanding family and pursuing her passion for painting.
Building a Blended Family
The Spielberg-Capshaw household is famously large and close-knit, encompassing children from their previous relationships as well as children they welcomed together and adopted. Their blended family includes:
- Jessica Capshaw: Kate's daughter from a previous marriage, who grew up to become an actress known for Grey's Anatomy.
- Max Spielberg: Steven's son with Amy Irving.
- Theo Spielberg: Adopted by Kate Capshaw before her marriage to Spielberg, and later adopted by Spielberg.
- Sasha Spielberg: The couple's first biological child together, born in 1990, who pursued a career in music and acting.
- Sawyer Spielberg: Born in 1992, an actor and theater performer.
- Mikaela Spielberg: Adopted by the couple as an infant in 1996.
- Destry Allyn Spielberg: Born in 1996, a filmmaker and model.
This bustling household grounded Spielberg during the most prolific decades of his career, providing a stable home life while he directed cinematic milestones like Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, and Jurassic Park.
Common Misconceptions About Spielberg's Personal Life
Internet searches about Steven Spielberg's wives frequently lead to factual errors and scrambled timelines. Content mills and poorly researched blogs often confuse his relationships with other prominent figures in the entertainment industry.
For instance, Melissa Mathison, the brilliant screenwriter behind E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, was famously married to Harrison Ford, not Steven Spielberg—though Spielberg worked closely with Mathison and remained a lifelong friend and colleague. Similarly, Calista Flockhart has been married to Harrison Ford since 2010, yet automated content farms sometimes conflate her timeline with Spielberg's family tree. Keeping the timeline straight clarifies that Spielberg has only walked down the aisle twice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times has Steven Spielberg been married?
Steven Spielberg has been married twice. His first marriage was to Amy Irving from 1985 to 1989, and his second marriage is to Kate Capshaw, whom he married in 1991.
How did Steven Spielberg meet Kate Capshaw?
They met in 1983 during the casting and production of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, where Capshaw was cast as the female lead, Willie Scott. They began dating several years later before marrying in 1991.
How many children do Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw have?
Together and through previous marriages and adoptions, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw raise a blended family of seven children: Jessica, Max, Theo, Sasha, Sawyer, Mikaela, and Destry.
What is Amy Irving's background with Spielberg today?
Amy Irving went on to continue a successful international acting career in theater and film following their 1989 divorce. She and Spielberg successfully co-parented their son, Max, and have long since moved forward with separate lives.
