Mary Marquardt Is Harrison Ford's First Wife: She Lives With Multiple Sclerosis

Mary Marquardt, a talented former illustrator and chef, is best known for her union with famous actor Harrison Ford. The former couple was married between 1964 and 1979. Marquardt is also known for supporting Ford as he struggled to make a name for himself in the acting world. 

Ford’s career kicked off in 1964; not long after, he tied the knot with Mary Marquardt. He also bagged the role that catapulted him to fame when he was still married to Marquardt. While married, they welcomed two kids, Benjamin Ford and Willard Ford.

Their oldest son Benjamin chose to become a chef like Marquardt. The retired chef now lives in the United States of America. However, she maintains a low profile and is rarely seen at public events. 

Mary Marquardt Met Harrison Ford in College

Mary Marquardt ran into Harrison Ford while she was a college student. They started dating and eventually fell head over heels in love with each other. 

Marquardt and Harrison Ford tied the knot on June 18, 1964. Following their union, she became a supportive wife who played a vital role in supporting Ford at the initial stage of his career. 

Marquardt was by his side while he struggled to find good opportunities to show off his talents. She urged Ford to travel to Los Angeles to apply as a voice-over artist on a radio station. 

Ford could not get the job. However, he got to sign a $150-a-week contract with ‘Columbia Pictures’ in California. The agreement was a stepping stone for Ford, and he used it effectively to launch his acting career in Hollywood.

Mary Marquardt and Ford welcomed their first son, Benjamin Ford, in 1966, and in 1969, they were blessed with their second child, another son, Willard Ford. In 1977, Ford bagged his role as Han Solo in “Star Wars.” However, around the same time, he got involved in an extramarital affair with Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia in the film. 

Following that mistake, his relationship with Marquardt started to fall apart, and soon after, they both decided to part ways. After the divorce was finalized in 1979, Mary Marquardt returned to flying under the radar and has been ever since. 

Marquardt Lives With Multiple Sclerosis

Some years after her separation from Ford, Mary Marquardt was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), an illness that affects the body’s central nervous system and the spinal cord. 

Despite experiencing the symptoms, she raised her two boys, who are doing well for themselves. In a 2017 interview, one of her sons, Benjamin, revealed that Marquardt kept her illness a secret from those she cherished because the symptoms often changed. 

According to him, he was unaware of what his mom was facing when he was young. When he realized what was happening, it took him a while to completely understand it. 

Mary Marquardt’s disease has no treatment, but she has lived and adapted to it for almost four decades. She is used to the condition now. However, it hampers her from doing one of the things she enjoys doing — cooking. 

The disease limits what she can do in the kitchen. However, rather than give up cooking, Marquardt taught her cooking skills to Benjamin. Thanks to all he gained by cooking for her, he is now a chef like her.

In an interview, he said, “When other kids were out playing football, I was cooking in the kitchen with my parents.” Marquardt is forced to use a wheelchair due to her illness, but she contributes significantly to the kitchen. She takes pride in watching her son carry on her legacy. 

Benjamin not only makes her dishes. He has also developed new food recipes tailored to those with multiple sclerosis. 

Mary Marquardt Educated Her Boys on Her Illness

Benjamin and his brother know about Marquardt’s illness. She raised them to understand what she was going through; they have never forgotten it. Benjamin has been praised in the past for raising multiple sclerosis awareness in public. He also launched a campaign called #ReimagineMySelf in 2017. 

Marquardt and her children’s father are cordial despite what happened between them. Ford had married again after her, but she has remained unmarried since. Her relationship with Ford is one of the celebrity relationships ruined because one party stepped out on the other.

Another excellent example with even more damning consequences was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s affair. It led to the birth of a child that destroyed his marriage.

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