The Four Men Of Glenn Close: A Look At Her Husbands, Long-Term Partner, And Current Status In 2025
One of Hollywood's most decorated and respected actresses, Glenn Close, has navigated a private life that has been as complex and varied as her on-screen roles. As of late 2025, the eight-time Oscar nominee is reportedly single, having openly shared that she has not sought a new relationship in the decade following her last divorce, stating she is "very happy right now." This current chapter of contented independence follows a romantic history that includes three marriages and one long-term partnership that produced her only child. This article delves into the lives and professions of the four significant men who have been a major part of Glenn Close's journey.
The actress, known for iconic performances in films like Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons, and The Wife, has consistently maintained a distinct separation between her professional life and her personal affairs. Her romantic timeline spans from her early twenties, shortly after leaving the controversial religious group known as Moral Re-Armament (MRA), to her most recent marriage to a prominent Maine businessman, offering a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of a star’s life off-camera.
Glenn Close: A Brief Biography and Profile
- Full Name: Glenn Close
- Born: March 19, 1947, in Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
- Age (as of late 2025): 78
- Occupation: Actress, Producer, Singer
- Education: College of William & Mary (B.A. in Drama)
- Career Highlights: Eight-time Academy Award nominee, three-time Emmy Award winner, three-time Golden Globe Award winner, three-time Tony Award winner. She is one of the few performers to have won the "Triple Crown of Acting" (Oscar, Emmy, Tony).
- Notable Works: Fatal Attraction (1987), Dangerous Liaisons (1988), Reversal of Fortune (1990), 101 Dalmatians (1996), The Wife (2017), Sunset Boulevard (Broadway).
- Marital Status (2025): Divorced (Three times), Currently Single.
- Children: One daughter, Annie Starke.
- Significant Relationships: Cabot Wade (m. 1969–1971), James Marlas (m. 1984–1987), John Starke (Partner, 1987–1995), David Evans Shaw (m. 2006–2015).
The Three Marriages: From Musician to Mogul
Glenn Close's three formal marriages each represented a different phase of her life, from her young adulthood to her established career as a major Hollywood figure. The actress has been open about the challenges of balancing a demanding career with the needs of a relationship, often citing the difficulties of a bicoastal life as a factor in her separations.
1. Cabot Wade (First Husband: 1969–1971)
Close’s first marriage was to Cabot Wade, a guitarist and composer she met while both were involved with the Moral Re-Armament (MRA) organization. The MRA, which Close has described as a cult, heavily influenced her youth, and the relationship with Wade occurred during her period of transition away from the group's control. Wade is known professionally as a musician, singer, and songwriter. He was a guitarist and composer for the internationally known educational and entertainment organization "Up with People." They married in 1969 when Close was 22, but the union was brief, ending in divorce just two years later in 1971, before her professional acting career truly began on the stage in 1974.
2. James Marlas (Second Husband: 1984–1987)
After her first marriage and a few other relationships, Close married James C. Marlas in 1984. Marlas is a highly educated and successful entrepreneur and finance professional. He attended both Harvard and Oxford universities and is a founding partner of Union Capital Associates LP, a private equity firm established in 1968. Marlas also served as the Chairman and CEO of Mickelberry. Their marriage took place at a time when Close was rising to international fame, with her work in the early 1980s gaining critical acclaim. The marriage lasted three years, ending in divorce in 1987. In his later years, Marlas has also become an author, publishing historical fiction, such as *The Seraphim Enigma*.
3. David Evans Shaw (Third and Most Recent Husband: 2006–2015)
Close’s most recent marriage was to David Evans Shaw, a prominent American technology and social entrepreneur. They married in 2006 and primarily resided in Maine, an area Close has a deep connection to. Shaw’s career is marked by significant achievements in biotechnology and business. He is the founder and CEO of Black Point Group and is perhaps best known as the founder of IDEXX Laboratories, a Fortune 1000 company based in Maine that specializes in veterinary diagnostics. He also founded Vets First Choice and is an activist and investor in various global initiatives, including the Sargasso Sea Alliance. Their marriage lasted nine years, ending in divorce in 2015. This was her longest marriage, and the separation was reportedly amicable, with the two remaining on good terms.
The Partnership That Brought Her Daughter: John Starke
While Glenn Close has been married three times, her most enduring romantic partnership—and the one that resulted in her only child—was with John H. Starke. Close and Starke were never married, but they were a couple from 1987 to 1995.
- John H. Starke's Career: John Starke is a veteran movie producer and unit production manager in the entertainment industry. His career spans decades, working on various film and television projects, often in an executive or co-executive producer capacity. His credits include work on major franchises and series, such as the Marvel series *The Punisher* and the DC series *Peacemaker*.
- Their Daughter, Annie Starke: The couple welcomed their daughter, Annie Starke, on April 26, 1988. Annie Starke has followed in her mother’s footsteps, forging her own career as an actress. She has appeared in films like The Wife, where she played a younger version of her mother’s character, and Albert Nobbs. Annie Starke is Close's only child, and the two share an incredibly close bond, often appearing together at events. In recent years, Annie has made Close a grandmother, adding a new dimension to their family life.
Glenn Close's Current Relationship Status: Contentment and Independence (2025)
Following her 2015 divorce from David Evans Shaw, speculation about Glenn Close’s romantic life has been a frequent topic. However, the actress has been remarkably candid about her perspective on relationships in this phase of her life. In interviews as recently as 2025, Close shared that she has not actively sought a new partner in the decade since her last divorce. She emphasized her current state of happiness and contentment, suggesting a focus on self-fulfillment, her career, and her family, including her daughter and grandchild. Close has spoken about the challenge of merging two lives, especially two busy professional lives, and seems to have found peace in her independence.
The Oscar-nominated star's decision to prioritize her own well-being and her creative endeavors—which continue to be prolific—offers a refreshing narrative for women in the public eye. Her current status is not one of loneliness but of deliberate, joyful solitude, allowing her to fully embrace her roles as a celebrated actress, a dedicated mother, and a doting grandmother.
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