Who is Meghan Markle’s Ex-Husband Trevor Engelson and Why Did They Get Divorced?
- Trevor Engelson is a Hollywood producer and Meghan Markle’s first husband.
- Their marriage ended after two years due to distance and busy schedules.
- Engelson is now remarried with two daughters and thriving in career.
Before Meghan Markle became royalty and stepped into the spotlight as Prince Harry’s wife, she has had a complex and varied personal life. Before her relationship with the prince made international headlines, Markle was married to Trevor Engelson, a Hollywood producer, in a marriage that lasted from 2011 to 2013.
While many are familiar with Markle’s royal romance, her previous marriage to Engelson often goes unnoticed by the general public. While Engelson might not be a household name like Markle, he has a fascinating life and career in Hollywood. So, who is Trevor Engelson, and what led to the end of his marriage to Markle? Let’s dive in!
Who is Trevor Engelson?
Trevor Engelson was born on October 23, 1976, in Great Neck, New York. He grew up in a Jewish family on Long Island and went to John L. Miller Great Neck North High School. Later, he headed to Los Angeles to study journalism at USC, but Hollywood stole his heart, and he dove straight into the entertainment world.
After college, Engelson started as a production assistant, learning the ropes of Hollywood. Over time, he worked his way up to become a producer and talent manager. In 2001, he launched his own production company called Underground.
He’s been behind movies like Remember Me, a romantic drama starring Robert Pattinson, and TV shows like Snowfall. Engelson has also worked on other films, including License to Wed and Outpost 37.
Engelson isn’t just a producer—he also represents writers, actors, and directors, helping them build their careers in the entertainment world. He’s made a name for himself in Hollywood, though his connection to Meghan Markle brought him more public attention than he probably expected.
When Did Meghan Markle and Trevor Engelson Get Married?
Trevor Engelson and Meghan Markle met in 2006, long before the actress became a global name. They dated for six years before getting engaged in 2010. By this time, Engelson was a rising name in Hollywood, and Markle was working her way up as an actress.
The couple tied the knot in 2011 in a lavish wedding in Jamaica. The celebration lasted four days and included plenty of partying on the beach. Their wedding was described as fun, laid-back, and filled with dancing (per Grazia).
Although their wedding seemed perfect, their marriage was short-lived. Within two years, cracks started to show, and they decided to part ways. It wasn’t the fairytale ending anyone hoped for, but both eventually moved on.
Why Did Meghan Markle and Trevor Engelson Divorce?
Trevor Engelson and Meghan Markle’s marriage ended in 2013, after just two years. They officially cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their split. However, many believe their long-distance played a big part in the divorce (via the same source).
At the time, Markle was filming Suits in Toronto, Canada, while Engelson was busy with his work in Los Angeles. The physical distance, combined with their busy schedules, made it hard to keep their relationship strong.
Markle’s close friend and former co-star Abby Wathen once shared that Markle handled her divorce in a powerful way. While divorce is tough for many, she used it as an opportunity to take control of her life and move forward. Wathen said (per Bustle):
[Markle] was empowered. She took her power back. It wasn’t the right relationship for her, so she moved on.
For Engelson, the divorce was reportedly harder. Sources told The Sun he struggled after the split, especially when Markle began dating Prince Harry in 2016. The insider said:
The split with Meghan hit Trevor pretty hard. He went through a rough time during the break-up and that was only made worse when Meghan got together with Harry last year. He had to re-live it all again — this time in public. It wasn’t the most amicable of divorces and there were hurt feelings on both sides. Now he has bounced back and things are looking great for him.
Their divorce was wrapped up in August 2013, and by July 2016, Markle had met Prince Harry. Ever since Markle’s royal engagement made headlines, paparazzi haven’t left Engelson alone. But he eventually shook off the heartbreak and built a happy, drama-free life for himself.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Relationship
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s love story began in July 2016 when a mutual friend set them up. In Harry & Meghan, the couple clarified that they first connected on Instagram, and after some chatting, decided to meet for a date in London.
Harry was immediately drawn to Markle and the feeling was mutual. By November 2016, their relationship became public when Harry made a bold statement against the media’s harassment of Markle (per Elle). Things got serious quickly, and in May 2017, Markle joined Harry at Pippa Middleton’s wedding reception.
In September 2017, she expressed her love for Harry in Vanity Fair. By November 2017, Markle had moved to London, and the couple announced their engagement.
Their beautiful wedding took place in May 2018 at Windsor Castle, and a few months later, they revealed they were expecting their first child. In May 2019, they welcomed their son, Archie, into the world.
Life took a big turn in January 2020 when Markle and Harry decided to step back as senior royals and moved to the U.S. to focus on their family and new projects. The couple expanded their family in June 2021 with the arrival of their daughter, Lilibet Diana.
Who is Trevor Engelson Dating Now?
Trevor Engelson didn’t stay single for long after his divorce from Meghan Markle. At one point, he briefly dated Bethenny Frankel from The Real Housewives of New York City. While their romantic relationship didn’t last, the two remained friends and even worked together on business projects.
In 2018, Engelson got engaged to Tracey Kurland, a dietitian and the daughter of a wealthy investment trust founder. Kurland comes from a privileged background, and her family’s fortune reportedly runs in the millions.
The couple got married on May 11, 2019, in a quiet California wedding. Unlike Engelson’s beachside nuptials with Markle, this celebration was more modest.
Today, Engelson and Kurland are living the family life. They welcomed their first daughter in 2020 and had a second daughter in 2021. Engelson seems to be thriving in his role as a dad and husband. He’s focused on his family while continuing his work in Hollywood. Life after Markle has been good to him, and he’s built a happy, drama-free future.
