Overview: Robin Williams and his spouse history
Robin Williams, the celebrated American actor and comedian, was married three times. His first marriage was to actress Valerie Velardi from 1978 to 1988. He then married photographer Marsha Garces in 1989; they had two children together and divorced in 2010. In 2012, Williams married his longtime partner, costume designer Susan Schneider. This evergreen profile summarizes verified timelines, children, and public records to clarify the spouses in Robin Williams’s life.
Quick reference: Robin Williams spouses at a glance
| Name | Years married | Children together | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valerie Velardi | 1978–1988 | 0 | Marriage ended in divorce; Williams later credited her support early in his career. |
| Marsha Garces | 1989–2010 | 2 | Met on the set of Hook; divorced after more than 20 years. |
| Susan Schneider | 2012–2014 (his death)0 | Married in 2012; Williams was living with her in his final months. |
Valerie Velardi: the first marriage
Robin Williams married Valerie Velardi in 1978, early in his stand-up and television rise. The couple had met years before he gained fame through Mork & Mindy. They maintained a friendship after their 1988 divorce, and Velardi has spoken about his supportive nature during formative years. No children resulted from this marriage, and Williams rarely discussed it in detail publicly, focusing instead on later family life.
Key points about Velardi
- Married: 1978
- Divorced: 1988
- Children: 0
- Relationship: amicable post-divorce; mutual respect noted in biographies
Marsha Garces: more than two decades together
Williams married Marsha Garces in 1989. They met on the set of Hook, where she worked as a photographer. The marriage produced two children: Zelda Rae Williams (born 1989) and Cody Alan Williams (born 1991). Garces and Williams divorced in 2010, sharing custody and maintaining a cooperative co-parenting relationship. She has described him as an involved father and thoughtful collaborator during parenting milestones.
Children with Marsha Garces
| Child | Birth year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zelda Rae Williams | 1989 | Named after the game character; became an actress and content creator. |
| Cody Alan Williams | 1991 | Pursued work in media and the arts; close to his father. |
Susan Schneider: marriage at the end of his life
In 2012, Williams married Susan Schneider, a costume designer he had dated for several years before marrying. They shared private time together in his last years, and Schneider was present when he died in 2014. Her public statements afterward highlighted his creativity, humor, and the challenges of his health struggles. This marriage produced no children and lasted from 2012 until his death in August 2014.
Public records and timeline context
Media coverage of Williams often included speculation about relationships, but the spouse record is consistent across interviews, biographies, and license information. His marriages occurred at distinct career phases: early stardom, peak fame with children, and later personal reflection. Understanding this timeline helps clarify questions about his family structure and the people he lived with at various points.
Clarifying common questions
- How many times was Robin Williams married? Three times, to Valerie Velardi, Marsha Garces, and Susan Schneider.
- Who was Robin Williams spouse at the time of his death? Susan Schneider; they were married from 2012 until his death in 2014.
- Did Robin Williams have children with his spouses? Yes, two children with Marsha Garces (Zelda and Cody); no children with Velardi or Schneider.
- Are any of his spouses still alive? Yes, Valerie Velardi and Marsha Garces are alive; Susan Schneider passed away in the context of his death year, but continued private work.
Wrapping up: the spouse summary
Across his life, Robin Williams was married to three people: Valerie Velardi, Marsha Garces, and Susan Schneider. Only his marriage to Marsha Garces produced children. Susan Schneider was his spouse at the time of his death. These relationships are documented through public records, interviews, and biographies, and they reflect distinct phases of his personal and professional journey.
References and notes
Details in this profile are compiled from verified biographies, reputable interviews, and public marriage records. For ongoing accuracy, readers are encouraged to consult published biographies and reputable news archives that cover Williams’s career and family life.