Divorces are messy because emotions run high when two people who once envisioned themselves growing old together decide they can’t be with each other anymore. When you’re married to a famous person, this complicated situation gets much worse.
Mary Lee Harvey knows this firsthand, as her divorce from the famous comedian and TV personality Steve Harvey unfolded in the public eye. The intense media scrutiny may have added more pressure while she struggled with the fallout from their separation.
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In this article, you can learn more about Mary Lee Harvey, her marriage to Steve Harvey, and the ensuing divorce.
Table of Contents
Who Is Mary Lee Harvey?
Mary Lee Harvey was born in Texas on October 20, 1960. She worked as a professional makeup artist in the 80s and 90s. Not much is known about Mary’s childhood and family. However, in one YouTube video, she hints that her relationship with her parents, specifically her father, wasn’t good. “Coming from my childhood and from my father’s house, which was not ever pleasant for me, I was looking for that relationship that I never had even with my father,” she said.
Most people know Mary Lee Harvey through her relationship with her famous ex-husband, Steve Harvey. In their 9 years of marriage, they had one son named Wynston.
Mary Lee Harvey’s profile summary
| Birth name | Mary Lee Shackleford |
| Popular as | Mary Lee Harvey |
| Gender | Female |
| Year of birth | 20 October 1960 |
| Age | 64 years old (as of 2024) |
| Zodiac sign | Libra |
| Place of birth | Arlington, Texas, United States of America |
| Current residence | Arlington, Texas, United States of America |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (African-American) |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height in inches | 5’ 7” |
| Height in centimetres | 170 |
| Weight in pounds | 143 |
| Weight in kilograms | 65 |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Dark brown |
| Marital status | Divorced |
| Ex-husband | Steve Harvey |
| Children | 1 (Wynton) |
| Profession | Make-up artist, author |
| Education | Delhi High School |
| Net worth | $500,000 |
What Happened in Mary Lee Harvey’s Marriage to Steve Harvey?
Mary Lee and Steve Harvey’s divorce was a messy affair that received plenty of media attention. They fought each other in court for many years beyond their divorce. However, before the court battles and the media firestorm, the couple was happily married for a time.
Mary Lee Harvey and Steve Harvey’s Marriage
The couple reportedly met in 1989 at a mall in Arlington, Texas where Mary worked as a makeup artist. At the time, Steve was a stand-up comedian and still married to his first wife, Marcia Harvey. It’s unclear when the couple started to get involved in a relationship. However, it wasn’t until 1996 that they finally tied the knot, two years after Steve’s split with Marcia. In 1997, Mary Lee Harvey gave birth to their son, Wynston Harvey.
Mary Lee Harvey and Steve Harvey’s Divorce
Mary Lee Harvey and Steve Harvey divorced in 2005. According to court documents, the reason behind the couple’s split was “irreconcilable differences.” Court battles between the two were featured in news stories years after their split.
Here’s a short timeline of what happened after their divorce:
2011: Steve Harvey Sues Mary Lee Harvey for Contempt of Court and Defamation In 2011, Mary Harvey posted several YouTube videos accusing Steve of leaving her homeless and destitute, turning their son against her, and manipulating the courts. Additionally, Mary Lee Harvey claimed that the reason for the divorce was infidelity. She said that Steve Harvey cheated on her with his third wife, Marjorie Harvey, while he was still married to her.
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In her YouTube videos, she shared excerpts of emails she claimed to have intercepted between Steve and Marjorie. However, court documents from the divorce proceedings contradicted her statements. According to these documents, Mary Lee wasn’t left destitute after the split. Instead, she received three of Steve Harvey’s properties in the divorce settlement. Furthermore, since their divorce, Steve paid her $40,000 monthly until March 2009. In March 2009, he paid her $1.5 Million. Steve Harvey also didn’t “take and withhold” their son from Mary Harvey, as she’d claimed.
On the contrary, the court documents reveal that she put their son on a plane and sent him to Steve without his knowledge. He won full custody over their child. He decided to sue her for contempt of court and defamation. According to him, Mary Lee Harvey violated the gag order that prevented them from talking publicly about their divorce.
2013: Mary Lee Harvey Arrested Steve Harvey won the case in 2013. As punishment for contempt of court and defamation, she served 30 days behind bars.
2018: Mary Lee Harvey Sues Steve Harvey for $60 Million Thirteen years after the couple split, Mary Lee Harvey gained the public eye again as she accused Steve Harvey of child endangerment, torture, and “soul murder.” She shared that throughout their very public divorce in 2005, she became depressed and suicidal. Steve Harvey’s attorney called the lawsuit, “meritless, frivolous,” and “completely false.” Ultimately, a judge dismissed the case.
Who was Steve’s first wife?
Marcia Harvey was born January 22, 1955, in Cleveland, Ohio. Because Marcia prefers leading a private life, not much is known about her early life or her parents. The 68-year-old was married to producer, author, and TV personality Broderick Steve Harvey, Sr. for 13 years from 1981 until 1994.
Who was the couple who helped Steve Harvey?
Liss and his wife Becky helped get the TV presenter back on his feet after he was living in his car for a period of time. Holding back tears, Harvey said: “I didn’t have nothing. These people took me in.”
How did Harvey meet his wife?
The pair met in 1990 at a comedy club and briefly dated, however, the timing wasn’t right. Years later, Steve and Marjorie reconnected and tied the knot in 2007. With their union came the blending of their respective families, which includes a total of seven children.
How many kids does Steve Harvey have with Mary?
In 1996, he tied the knot with Mary Shackelford, but their marriage also ended in divorce in 2005. He had one son from that union. However, Steve’s most enduring and notable relationship is with Marjorie Harvey, whom he married in 2007; he has three stepchildren with her.
How long was Steve married to Mary?
Steve Harvey was married to Marcia Harvey from 1981 to 1994 and Mary Lee Harvey from 1996 to 2005. Marjorie Harvey was also previously married. Marjorie and Steve Harvey married in 2007 and blended their families. Today, the couple is parents to Brandi, Karli, Broderick, Wynton, Morgan, Jason and Lori Harvey.
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Who are Steve’s biological children?
Steve first became a dad in 1982 when he and his then-wife, Marcia Harvey, welcomed twin girls, Brandi and Karli, 40. The couple also had a son, Broderick Harvey Jr., 31, in 1991 before their divorce in 1994.
Who is Steve Harvey best friend?
Cedric the Entertainer
Outside of being Hightower’s best friend on the sitcom and art-imitating life as Harvey’s close friend in real life, Cedric the Entertainer has also been the leading man in his own life.
Who did Steve Harvey adopt?
Steve Harvey’s daughter Lori Harvey is following in his footsteps. The model is Steve’s youngest daughter, whom he adopted when he married her mother and his now-wife, Marjorie Harvey. The Family Feud host also adopted her two older siblings, Morgan and Jason, and has four children from previous marriages.
Who was Harvey in love with?
The Big Picture. Harvey and Donna’s romance in Suits was the most captivating and authentic love story on the show, built on unwavering trust and fierce loyalty.
Who does Harvey fall in love with?
Donna
Harvey fell in love with Donna in Suits without realizing it, showcased in a viral TikTok video that highlights their deep connection.
Does Harvey marry someone?
Harvey and Donna get engaged and married on the spot as well. Harvey then tells everyone about the deal he made with Faye – he’s leaving the firm to join Mike and Rachel (Meghan Markle) in Seattle.
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How many kids did Steve adopt?
Harvey is dad to seven children, including the three kids he adopted after marrying his current wife, Marjorie Harvey, in 2007: twins Karli and Brandi, sons Broderick, Wynton, and Jason, and daughters Morgan and Lori.
Conclusion
Mary Lee Harvey struggled through challenges that usually accompany any divorce. In addition, her ex-husband’s famous name placed her under the glare of the public eye. Their divorce was finalized in 2005, but she continued to fight and lose legal battles against Steve Harvey up until 2018. After their divorce, Steve married Marjorie in 2007 and has stayed happily married ever since.
FAQs about Who is Mary Lee Harvey? All About Steve Harvey’s Ex-wife
- Who is Mary Lee Harvey? Mary Lee Harvey is a former makeup artist and the ex-wife of famous comedian and TV personality Steve Harvey.
- How old is Mary Lee Harvey? Mary Lee Harvey was born on October 20, 1960, making her around 61 years old (as of 2022).
- What was the reason for Mary Lee Harvey and Steve Harvey’s divorce? Their divorce was attributed to “irreconcilable differences.”
- How many children do Mary Lee Harvey and Steve Harvey have? They have one child together, a son named Wynston Harvey.
- Is Steve Harvey still married to Marjorie Bridges? Yes, as of my last knowledge update in September 2021, Steve Harvey is still married to Marjorie Bridges. They have been together since 2007 and are happily married.
