Bert Girigorie played a meaningful role in Wendy Williams’ early life, as her first husband. Their relationship was filled with highs and lows, and though it did not last long, it shaped both of their lives in important ways.
Who Is Bert Girigorie?
Bert Girigorie was born on March 13, 1964, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was raised in a Christian family with strong values and grew up close to his two siblings, Gabrielle and Bruce.
His parents gave him a supportive and loving environment that helped guide his future choices. Bert always appreciated the importance of community and family, qualities that remained central as he grew up.
Bert attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, which is known for developing leaders among young men in the Black community. After college, Bert started his career in radio and soon became known for his professionalism and charm.
Standing at 6’2” and weighing around 198 pounds, Bert presents a strong and confident figure, traits others noticed right away.
Eventually, Bert shifted his career to focus on sales and marketing. He found success as the president of G2 Marketing since 2010, a digital marketing firm based in Charlotte. He remained in North Carolina after his marriage ended and focused on helping businesses grow. Bert’s drive and dedication earned him a good reputation in the business world.
Starting the Journey: How Bert and Wendy Met
Early in Bert’s career, while he worked at a New York radio station, his life changed when he met a young, ambitious DJ named Wendy Williams. Wendy was beginning to make a name for herself in the radio industry, and Bert caught her attention immediately.
According to Wendy’s memoir, his grey hairs and strong build stood out, showing a level of maturity that interested her. Bert, on the other hand, saw Wendy as energetic, bold, and determined.
Their shared work environment made daily conversations easy and natural. They chatted about music, trends, and life in New York. Bert and Wendy learned about each other’s dreams and backgrounds, which brought them closer. Their friendship soon blossomed into a romance.
The couple began dating in 1992. In those early days, it was easy to see they were drawn to each other, both by their differences and the simple things they enjoyed together. Their love story was fueled by laughter, meaningful talks, and New York adventures.
Romance at Its Peak
Bert and Wendy’s relationship grew deeper over time. Despite working in the fast-paced world of radio, they carved out moments to spend together. They liked dining out in the city, going to shows, and sharing late-night walks. Many people who saw them together noted their chemistry and the natural way they finished each other’s thoughts.
After more than two years of dating, their bond seemed strong enough to last. Their families met and began to share in their joy. In 1994, Bert and Wendy chose to get married.
Married Life and Its Challenges
As they entered married life, everything appeared promising and hopeful. Both Bert and Wendy had clear ambitions. Wendy’s career as a rising radio DJ was headed upward, and Bert’s marketing work was steady and successful. For a short time, married life brought happiness and new adventures.
However, cracks in their relationship soon began to appear. The excitement that once tied them together slowly started to unravel. Bert noticed changes in Wendy’s behavior that puzzled him, and their ability to communicate began to struggle.
The Turning Point
Their honeymoon set the stage for early conflicts. A trip to Rio, Brazil, was meant to begin their life together with joy. However, an argument flared up during the trip. Wendy wanted to enjoy the city’s nightlife alone, but Bert felt uneasy about this choice. The moment revealed a growing difference between their needs and expectations.
Tensions began to build at home as well. Bert often felt confused by Wendy’s actions and moods. He sensed that something bigger was happening, but could not understand the cause. Wendy, as later admitted in interviews, struggled with substance abuse during this period and would spend long hours away, leading to suspicion from Bert.
Frequent misunderstandings and disagreements led to a difficult home life. Their once-lighthearted talks became arguments, and their closeness started to fade.
Conflict and the End of the Marriage
Arguments between Bert and Wendy got more heated as time passed. Finally, during a fight at home, Bert lost his temper and spat in Wendy’s face, which hurt her deeply and made her question the relationship’s future. That night, she spoke with her family about her decision.
The couple separated after just five months but did not finalize their divorce until 1995, about 18 months after their wedding. Each felt a disappointment in the outcome, but both believed that parting was for the best.
Reasons Behind the Breakup
Bert opened up about the reasons for their breakup years later. He talked about Wendy’s odd behavior and personality changes that he did not understand at the time. According to Bert, Wendy’s ongoing struggles with substance abuse played a major role in the collapse of their marriage.
Wendy, who later spoke publicly about her battles with addiction, explained how these challenges impacted her decisions and relationships. She admitted to using drugs during this time, which led to many of the misunderstandings and confusion Bert experienced.
For Bert, her behavior became “very bizarre” and hard for him to manage. As much as he cared about Wendy, Bert realized the marriage was hurting both of them. Wendy, too, saw no way for their love to survive under the circumstances.
Bert’s Life After the Divorce
After their marriage ended, Bert returned to his work in marketing and focused on rebuilding his life in Charlotte, North Carolina. He preferred a private lifestyle and rarely spoke publicly. Bert threw himself into his business, becoming the president of G2 Marketing and helping other companies reach their goals.
Personal details about Bert’s life after Wendy are mostly private. He has not remarried and chooses to keep a low profile. People who know Bert often describe him as driven, gracious, and grounded.
Wendy’s Life After the Divorce
After her divorce from Bert Girigorie, Wendy Williams entered a new chapter in her romantic life that became quite public and eventful. Her most notable relationship after Bert involved Kevin Hunter, who not only became her second husband but also played a central role in her professional career and personal life.
Wendy met Kevin Hunter in 1994, not long after her split from Bert. At that time, Kevin worked as a salon owner, while Wendy was rapidly establishing herself as a popular radio host. Their relationship moved from friendship to romance, and Kevin soon became both Wendy’s manager and partner in business.
They officially married on November 30, 1997, about three years after they met.
Building a Life Together
Wendy and Kevin welcomed their only son, Kevin Hunter Jr., in August 2000. The couple became known as a power team. Kevin helped manage Wendy’s media ventures, including her hit radio show and later, her landmark TV program “The Wendy Williams Show.”
He served as her executive producer and played a key role in building her brand and public persona. During these years, the family enjoyed many successes together, and fans frequently saw them united at public events.
Challenges Within the Marriage
Over time, Wendy and Kevin’s marriage encountered serious difficulties. Rumors of infidelity and other issues started to surface. Wendy opened up in interviews about the ups and downs in their marriage, sharing that staying together was often a struggle.
In April 2019, Wendy filed for divorce after more than 20 years of marriage when it became widely reported that Kevin had fathered a child with another woman.
After the Divorce
Wendy’s divorce from Kevin Hunter was finalized in January 2020. The settlement included splitting property and Kevin turning over his share in her production company. Wendy shared in interviews that, while the end of the marriage was painful, she embraced her independence and found joy in focusing on herself and her family.
She has described this period as “100% fabulous,” which meant she is happy about living life on her own terms.
Dating and Personal Life After Kevin Hunter
Since her split with Kevin, Wendy has been linked to a handful of other men. She was rumored to date Mike Esterman, though their relationship fizzled due to busy schedules. There were also rumors about her spending time with singer Ray J, but those close to them said the two were simply friends.
Wendy has since focused on her health, career, and personal happiness. She shares that she enjoys the company of her pets, emphasizing a sense of contentment in this new chapter of her life.
In summary, after her marriage with Bert Girigorie, Wendy Williams experienced a long, complicated, and public relationship with Kevin Hunter, followed by some dating rumors, but she ultimately found fulfillment and happiness in her own company and her family.
