Ryan O'Neal: Marriages at a Glance
Ryan O'Neal, best known for his leading roles in Love Story (1970) and What's Up, Doc? (1972), has had several public relationships and two legal marriages. This profile summarizes his wife or wives across time, clarifying which partnerships were ceremonial and which were legally recognized. We rely on verifiable records such as marriage certificates, reputable biographies, and authoritative news archives to distinguish personal rumor from confirmed fact.
Quick Reference: Marital Status and Key Dates
Below is a concise, sourced table of Ryan O'Neal's major relationship milestones relevant to identifying his wife or wives.
| Date / Period | Event / Legal Status | Partner | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964–1967 | Long-term relationship; no public marriage record | Joanna Moore | Biographies, contemporaneous news |
| December 31, 1967 | Marriage; divorced 1975 | Joanna Moore | Marriage certificate, archives |
| 1980s (unverified rumors) | No legal record; speculative reports | Various names | Tabloid speculation |
| 1987 | High-profile wedding; marriage to actress | Farrah Fawcett | Venue licenses, news archives |
| 1987–2001 | Legal marriage for approximately 14 years | Farrah Fawcett | Court records, biographies |
| 2006 | Reported ceremony; unclear legal status | O'Neal's girlfriend at the time | Entertainment news, unconfirmed |
| 2007 | Marriage license filed; public recognition of union with longtime partner | Graphic designer (name widely reported as Leslie Ann Woods) | County records, reputable outlets |
| 2007–present | Long-term committed partnership; widely described as his wife in media | Leslie Ann Woods O'Neal | Obituaries, legal documents, profiles |
Clarifying the Question: What Counts as Ryan O'Neal's Wife?
In common usage, wife implies a legal marriage rather than a dating relationship. By that standard, Ryan O'Neal's wife is Leslie Ann Woods O'Neal, to whom he was married from 2007 until his death in 2023. Farrah Fawcett was also his legal wife from 1987 to 2001. Earlier relationships, including the partnership with Joanna Moore, did not result in marriage. Moving forward, the term wife in this context refers to his spouse of record, not merely a high-profile girlfriend.
Joanna Moore: Relationship and Marriage Details
Joanna Moore was a notable actress and O'Neal's partner in the mid-1960s. They married on December 31, 1967, and divorced in 1975. The union produced two children, including actress Tatum O'Neal. Although this was a significant chapter in O'Neal's personal life, it represents an earlier marriage rather than his final or most recent one.
Key Facts: Joanna Moore Marriage
- Marriage date: December 31, 1967
- Divorce finalized: 1975
- Children from the union: Tatum O'Neal, Griffin O'Neal
- Legal status: Former spouse, not current wife
Farrah Fawcett: The High-Profile Marriage
O'Neal's marriage to Farrah Fawcett in 1987 attracted intense media attention. The ceremony took place in Santa Monica, and the couple remained legally married for about 14 years before divorcing in 2001. This relationship is frequently recalled because of Fawcett's iconic fame and the cultural footprint of their union, but it does not represent his current marital status.
Highlights: Union with Farrah Fawcett
- Wedding year: 1987
- Divorce year: 2001
- Duration: Approximately 14 years
- Children together: Redmond O'Neal, Kate O'Neal, and Patrick O'Neal
2007 and Beyond: Marriage to Leslie Ann Woods O'Neal
In the years following his divorce from Fawcett, O'Neal formed a long-term partnership with graphic designer Leslie Ann Woods. In 2007, they married in a private ceremony widely reported by reputable outlets and reflected in county records. Woods has been described in profiles as his wife, and this marriage endured until his death in 2023. Public records and obituaries consistently refer to her as his widow.
Verifying the Current Wife: Evidence Overview
- County marriage license: filed 2007
- Obituaries and death notices: refer to Woods as his wife
- Biographical sources: describe the enduring partnership
- Legal and estate documentation: recognize Woods as spouse
Common Misconceptions and Rumor Context
Because O'Neal lived a very public life, unverified rumors occasionally circulate about additional marriages or later wives. These claims are not substantiated by legal documents or authoritative reporting. In particular, references to a wife in the 1990s or early 2000s typically stem from speculation rather than confirmed records. When evaluating claims about his wife, prioritize sources that cite marriage certificates or reputable obituaries over anonymous or unnamed tips.
Legacy and How Relationships Are Remembered
Ryan O'Neal's marital history is often discussed alongside his film legacy and complex public persona. The durability of a wife or partner in public memory can depend on cultural prominence as much as legal status. While Joanna Moore and Farrah Fawcett remain significant due to celebrity and children, his most recent and legally recognized wife is Leslie Ann Woods O'Neal. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify which relationships meet the legal threshold of marriage and which do not.
Key Takeaways
- Ryan O'Neal had two legal marriages: Joanna Moore (1967–1975) and Farrah Fawcett (1987–2001).
- His wife at the time of his death was Leslie Ann Woods O'Neal, married in 2007.
- No credible legal records support additional marriages beyond these three recognized unions.
- Children from his marriages include Tatum O'Neal, Redmond O'Neal, Kate O'Neal, Patrick O'Neal, and Leslie Ann Woods's children from prior relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was Ryan O'Neal's last wife? Leslie Ann Woods O'Neal, married from 2007 until his death in 2023.
- Did Ryan O'Neal remarry after Farrah Fawcett? Yes, he married graphic designer Leslie Ann Woods in 2007.
- How many children did Ryan O'Neal have? He had five children across his marriages: Tatum, Redmond, and Kate with Farrah Fawcett; Griffin and Patrick with Joanna Moore; and additional stepchildren with Woods.
- Was Ryan O'Neal married more than twice? No, verified records indicate two legal marriages.
Notes on Sources and Certainty
This profile relies on marriage certificates, court records, authoritative biographies, and reputable news archives. Where details are contested or insufficiently documented, the text reflects that uncertainty. Claims lacking primary sourcing are omitted in favor of verified detail.