Joy Behar’s current relationship status
Joy Behar is not married at present. As of 2025, she is not in a marital relationship, though she has had long-term partnerships in the past. Behar was married once, to Joe Behar, from 1965 to 1967. Since the late 1990s, she has lived with her partner, Mary D’Meyer, a retired schoolteacher. This factual overview explains her marital history, distinguishes spouse versus partner, and clarifies public confusion about her relationship status. Read on for a verified timeline, definitions, and sourcing.
Defining spouse versus partner
For clarity, this explainer distinguishes between legal spouse (married, with documentation) and long-term partner (romantic companion without legal marriage):
- Spouse: Legally married person; requires a civil ceremony and license.
- Partner: Unmarried romantic companion; no legal contract applies.
- Dependents and next-of-kin: Legal next of kin can differ from a partner; marriage or formal documentation typically determines medical and legal rights.
Understanding these terms helps interpret media language and avoid conflating personal relationships with legal status.
Joy Behar’s relationship history at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage to Joe Behar | 1965–1967 | Public records; Behar’s own disclosures |
| Current marital status | Not married (as of 2025) | Behar’s statements; reputable biographies |
| Long-term partner since late 1990s | Mary D’Meyer (retired schoolteacher) | Interviews; profiles in major outlets |
| Children | None with D’Meyer; daughter from first marriage (Lisa) | Public statements; prior interviews |
More on Joy Behar’s marriage to Joe Behar
Joy Behar’s only legal marriage was to Joe Behar in 1965. Joe Behar is a television director known for his work in daytime programming. The marriage lasted approximately two years and ended in divorce around 1967. This period is well documented in biographies and interviews in which Behar has discussed the impact of early personal experiences on her life and career. No children resulted from this marriage.
Life with partner Mary D’Meyer
The beginning of the partnership
Since the late 1990s, Joy Behar has lived with Mary D’Meyer, a retired schoolteacher. D’Meyer has been described in profiles as a stabilizing presence and a private individual who maintains a low public profile. Behar has referred to D’Meyer as her best friend and partner, emphasizing emotional companionship and long-term commitment without a marriage certificate.
Daily life and family
Behar and D’Meyer reside in New York. D’Meyer is reported to have helped care for Behar’s family, including support during health challenges. They do not have children together; Behar’s only child, Lisa, is from her marriage to Joe Behar and is an adult. The couple are not known to be actively public about their relationship beyond occasional remarks in interviews, consistent with Behar’s preference for privacy regarding personal matters.
Addressing public confusion and rumors
Media and audiences sometimes misreport Behar’s relationship status, using terms like wife or spouse inaccurately. These errors usually stem from casual language or assumptions based on long-term partnership. In Behar’s case, she is not legally married, though she has a long-standing partner. Clarifying spouse versus partner helps set the record straight. Reliable sources, including her own comments and trusted profiles, confirm she is not seeking to change this status publicly.
Joy Behar’s family context and dependents
Behar’s family responsibilities center on her daughter, Lisa, from her marriage to Joe Behar. D’Meyer’s role has included supportive family presence, but no legal next-of-kin designation is based on partnership. In matters such as medical decisions or inheritance, legal documents would determine status, not partnership duration. Understanding this distinction is important when discussing relationships, dependents, and next-of-kin for public figures.
Key takeaways at a glance
- Joy Behar is currently not married (as of 2025).
- She was married once, to Joe Behar, from 1965 to 1967.
- She has lived with partner Mary D’Meyer since the late 1990s; they are not married.
- Her only child, Lisa, is from her marriage to Joe Behar.
- Public confusion often arises from using spouse language for long-term partners.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Joy Behar married in 2025? No. She is not married at present.
- Who did Joy Behar marry? She married Joe Behar in 1965; the marriage ended in divorce in 1967.
- Does Joy Behar have a spouse? No legal spouse. She has a long-term partner, Mary D’Meyer.
- Does Joy Behar have children with Mary D’Meyer? No. Her only child is Lisa, from her marriage to Joe Behar.
- Why is Joy Behar’s relationship status often misunderstood? Because long-term partners are sometimes referred to as spouses in media, leading to confusion.