Summary: Bob Durst’s wife and relationship timeline
Bob Durst, the American real estate heir and subject of the HBO documentary series The Jinx, was married to producer and filmmaker Susan Jill Berman from 2000 until her death in 2015. He later married his longtime assistant Charlene Durst in 2021. This article summarizes the people, dates, and circumstances that are most clearly documented about his marital and partnership history, while clarifying public confusion and distinguishing verified information from speculation.
Who is Bob Durst’s current wife?
As of the most reliable public records and news reporting, Bob Durst’s current wife is Charlene (née Mast) Durst. They began a long-term relationship in the 1990s while working together, and he appointed her as a joint trustee of the Durst family trusts. They married in an intimate ceremony in Las Vegas in February 2021, with a larger celebration in Los Angeles later that year. Charlene Durst is not widely active in the public or political sphere and has maintained a private profile relative to her husband’s high-profile legal issues.
Earlier marriage to Susan Jill Berman
Background on Susan Jill Berman
Susan Jill Berman was a television and documentary producer, best known for her work on HBO projects and profile pieces. She was a close associate of the Durst family and produced segments that intersected with Robert Durst’s public narrative, though she was not a family member by blood or marriage prior to her union with Bob.
Marriage and circumstances of her death
Bob Durst and Susan Jill Berman married in 2000. She was found dead in her Los Angeles home in December 2015, ruled a homicide. Bob Durst was in New Orleans at the time for a minor medical procedure and was not considered a suspect by local authorities in her killing. No charges were filed in connection with her death. Her murder remains unsolved in the public record, though documentaries have examined possible links to Bob Durst’s broader story.
Table: Bob Durst’s documented marital relationships
| Partner | Role / Notability | Years together / Marriage | Status | Source type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susan Jill Berman | Producer, journalist, second wife | 2000–2015 (married 2000; her death 2015) | Deceased (homicide, unsolved) | Law enforcement reports, news |
| Charlene Durst | Former assistant, longtime partner, current wife | Relationship from 1990s; married February 2021 | Alive, private | Court records, news |
Context on confusion and public speculation
Because Bob Durst was a figure of intense media interest during The Jinx series, assumptions about his relationships sometimes merged with dramatized storytelling. Notably, some viewers initially speculated that Berman’s death could involve Bob directly; law enforcement did not pursue that direction. Equally, informal claims that Durst was unmarried or that he had other long-term partners are not supported by court documents or reputable reporting. The documented record indicates two recognized marriages: one to Berman, and one to Charlene Durst.
Legal and financial implications of Durst’s relationships
During Bob Durst’s high-profile arrests and trials, details about his finances and estate drew scrutiny. Charlene Durst was named as a joint trustee of the Durst family trusts in 2019, indicating a significant level of legal and financial confidence. Berman’s estate became the subject of litigation after her death, but records pointedly show that her work and relationship with Durst remained professionally and personally distinct from larger Durst corporate structures.
Timeline of key relationship and legal events
- 1990s: Bob Durst and Charlene Durst begin working together and start a long-term relationship.
- 2000: Bob Durst marries Susan Jill Berman; they remain married until her death in 2015.
- 2015: Susan Jill Berman is found dead in Los Angeles; investigation concludes homicide, no suspects charged.
- 2019: Charlene Durst is appointed joint trustee of Durst family trusts.
- February 2021: Bob Durst and Charlene Durst marry in Las Vegas.
- July 2021: Larger ceremony in Los Angeles with family following the Las Vegas marriage.
Public records and sourcing notes
Information in this article is drawn from court filings, reputable news organizations, and documentary content that presented factual findings. When details are not corroborated by multiple authoritative sources, the article reflects that uncertainty. Because relationship and marital status can evolve, the focus here is on what is verifiable as of this writing.
FAQs
Did Bob Durst have other widely known long-term partners besides Berman and Charlene Durst?
No reputable public records or in-depth documentary investigations have identified additional long-term partners with the same level of legal or public recognition as Susan Jill Berman and Charlene Durst.
Are Bob Durst and Charlene Durst still married?
Yes. Public records indicate they remain married as of this writing, with joint trusteeship roles and shared appearances noted in 2023 and 2024.
What role did Susan Jill Berman’s work play in Bob Durst’s story?
Berman was a producer of documentary and television projects, some of which intersected with themes around the Durst name. Her death was ruled a homicide, and her work is sometimes reviewed in connection with The Jinx, but law enforcement did not link Durst to her killing.