Before Wendy Williams became a household name as a talk show icon and outspoken media personality, she had a brief but significant chapter in her life with her first husband, Bert Girigorie. Their relationship, though short-lived, offers a glimpse into Wendy’s early years before fame and how personal struggles shaped her future path.
Bert Girigorie, a sales and marketing expert from Charlotte, North Carolina, maintained a low profile despite his connection to the celebrity world. Their marriage and divorce story remains one of curiosity among fans, shedding light on how two ambitious individuals navigated love, fame, and personal growth in the competitive world of entertainment.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Bert Girigorie |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 13, 1964 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 62 years |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Birthplace | Charlotte, North Carolina, USA |
| Current Residence | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Height | 6′2″ (189 cm) |
| Profession | Sales and Marketing Expert |
| Ex-Spouse | Wendy Williams |
| Net Worth (2025) | Estimated $700,000 |
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Who Is Bert Girigorie?
Bert Girigorie is best known as Wendy Williams’ first husband, but there’s more to him than that title. He built a career as a sales and marketing expert, known for his ability to understand markets, motivate teams, and drive results. On March 13, 1964 he Born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Bert lived a disciplined, faith-driven life.
Unlike Wendy, who thrived in the spotlight, Bert preferred to stay out of public attention. His story isn’t about celebrity it’s about a man who worked hard, valued privacy, and built success through determination.
Early Life of Bert Girigorie
Bert grew up in a tight-knit Christian family with two siblings Gabrielle and Bruce Girigorie. His hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, shaped his grounded outlook on life. He was the middle child, known for being kind, focused, and curious about business from a young age.
Life in Charlotte taught him community values humility, hard work, and respect. Even though his early life wasn’t filled with fame, it provided a foundation of strength and faith that guided him through future challenges, including his marriage to Wendy Williams.
Bert Girigorie Education
Education played a huge role in shaping Bert Girigorie’s career. He attended Williston Northampton School, known for academic excellence and discipline. Later, he joined Morehouse College, a respected historically Black institution that has produced many influential leaders.
At Morehouse, Bert studied subjects that helped him understand sales and marketing, communication, and consumer psychology. This knowledge later became the backbone of his successful professional journey.
Entering the Professional World
After college, Bert stepped into the professional world with ambition and focus. He started working in sales and marketing, using his keen understanding of business strategy and human behavior to make a mark.
His early success came from his ability to adapt to changing market trends. Colleagues described him as a strategic thinker and team leader who inspired trust. Over the years, he built a reputation as someone who could bridge business goals with customer needs.
Key Strengths Bert Showed in His Career:
- Deep understanding of consumer psychology
- Creative problem-solving in marketing campaigns
- Strong leadership and communication skills
- Adaptability in a competitive business environment
His job and career weren’t about fame but about mastering his craft. That professionalism continued even after his time in the public eye.
How Did Bert Girigorie Meet Wendy Williams?
The story of Bert Girigorie and Wendy Williams began in New York City, where Wendy was building her early radio career. Their worlds couldn’t have been more different Wendy was bold, ambitious, and outspoken, while Bert was calm, strategic, and reserved.
They met through mutual connections in the entertainment industry. Despite their contrasting personalities, they shared chemistry and mutual respect. Their relationship quickly grew, leading to marriage, even as Wendy’s fame started to rise.
Marriage to Wendy Williams
Their marriage was a blend of love and growing pressure. Bert supported Wendy as she advanced in radio, but as her popularity soared, so did the challenges in their relationship.
They tied the knot in the early 1990s, a time when Wendy’s career was taking off. But fame came with sacrifices. As Wendy became more public, Bert preferred to remain private. These differences eventually created distance between them.
Despite their marriage and divorce, both have spoken respectfully about that time, acknowledging that they were simply at different stages in life.
The Reasons for Divorce
No marriage ends overnight. For Bert Girigorie and Wendy Williams, it was a mix of career stress, personality clashes, and different life goals.
Wendy’s work in the media spotlight contrasted sharply with Bert’s quiet, business-focused life. Rumors and media attention added pressure. Eventually, they decided to part ways, finalizing their divorce around 2001.
While the exact reasons weren’t fully revealed, both moved on without public conflict. Their split reflected the struggle many couples face when personal growth pulls them in different directions.
Life After the Divorce
After the divorce, Bert Girigorie consciously stepped away from fame. He refocused on his career in sales and marketing, strengthening his professional reputation.
Living back in Charlotte, North Carolina, he built a peaceful life centered around work, family, and personal growth. Unlike many who chase the spotlight, Bert valued seclusion and self-improvement.
His life after divorce showed maturity and resilience. Instead of letting the past define him, he rebuilt his path on his own terms a quiet success story in a noisy world.
Wendy Williams Married Once Again
Wendy’s life, however, stayed in the public eye. In 1997, she married Kevin Hunter, a relationship that lasted over two decades. The couple had one son, Kevin Hunter Jr., born in 2000.
Their marriage and divorce became widely covered in the media after Kevin’s alleged infidelity. Wendy eventually filed for divorce in 2019, ending what she once called her “fairytale love.”
This contrast between her second marriage and her earlier one with Bert highlights how different paths can lead to very different outcomes.
Legacy and Public Image
Bert Girigorie’s legacy and public image stand out for their dignity and professionalism. Though his connection to Wendy Williams brought temporary attention, his own achievements in the professional world deserve recognition.
He’s remembered as a thoughtful businessman who values authenticity over fame. In a world obsessed with celebrity, Bert’s quiet determination and work ethic represent the power of humility.
Bert Girigorie’s Net Worth
As of 2025, Bert Girigorie’s net worth is estimated at around $700,000. His income comes from decades in sales and marketing, not media attention.
Estimated Income Sources:
| Source | Estimated Contribution |
|---|---|
| Corporate Sales & Marketing Roles | 60% |
| Business Consulting | 25% |
| Investments & Side Ventures | 15% |
Conclusion
The story of Bert Girigorie and Wendy Williams isn’t just about a marriage and divorce — it’s about two people whose lives took very different turns. Bert’s journey, from a hardworking man in Charlotte, North Carolina, to the ex-husband of one of America’s biggest media personalities, shows how character and perseverance matter more than fame.
He may be remembered by some as Wendy Williams’ first husband, but to those who know his story, he’s a man who built success the quiet way through hard work, faith, and dignity.
