When people hear the name Wendy Williams, they immediately think of her decades-long media presence, talk shows, controversial hot takes, and high-profile personal life. But buried in the folds of her public narrative is a lesser-known figure—Bert Girigorie, her first husband. While Wendy’s later relationship with Kevin Hunter has been the subject of media frenzy, her short-lived marriage to Bert Girigorie remains largely a mystery to the public. This article dives deep into the life, career, and brief marriage of Bert Girigorie, shedding light on the man behind the headlines.
Who Is Bert Girigorie?
Bert Girigorie is a professional marketing and sales executive based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Unlike Wendy Williams, Girigorie has mostly led a private life. Before his brief encounter with the media spotlight, he was a respected figure in the corporate world, known for his intelligence, professionalism, and leadership skills.
He rose to prominence not through his own actions, but because of his short marriage to Wendy Williams in the mid-1990s, long before she became the talk show queen she is known as today.
Early Life and Education
Bert Girigorie was born in the United States, and although exact details about his birth date and early upbringing remain scarce, he is believed to have been born in the early 1960s. He attended Morehouse College, a historically Black liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia, where he graduated with a degree in marketing and business.
Morehouse College is known for producing many successful African-American leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and it’s clear that Bert received a solid educational foundation that helped him build a reputable career in marketing and communications.
Career Before Fame
Before the public ever heard his name, Bert Girigorie was already building a strong resume in the business world. He worked in various marketing and sales roles and eventually became a key player in the digital media and communications industry.
As of recent reports, Bert is the President of G2 Marketing, a digital marketing firm based in Charlotte, North Carolina. His work focuses on integrated marketing strategies, branding, sales planning, and online communications. G2 Marketing is known for helping small and medium-sized businesses improve their brand identity and online reach.
Despite his quiet demeanor, Bert is seen by colleagues as a strategic thinker and someone who delivers results without needing the limelight.
How Did Bert Girigorie Meet Wendy Williams?
Bert Girigorie met Wendy Williams in the early 1990s while both were working at the radio station KISS-FM in New York City. At the time, Wendy was establishing herself as a radio DJ known for her unfiltered style and celebrity gossip. Bert was involved in sales and marketing at the same station.
Their shared work environment allowed them to interact frequently, and a romantic relationship blossomed. The two dated for about two years before deciding to get married in 1994. Their wedding, though not widely publicized at the time, was a momentous occasion for both.
However, the marriage would be brief, lasting only five months before they separated.
The Short-Lived Marriage
While Wendy Williams has talked about her relationship with Bert Girigorie in her various interviews and memoirs, Bert himself has kept his side of the story relatively quiet—until recently. In her autobiography, Wendy described their relationship as “disconnected” and claimed it ended due to incompatibility and her rising career ambitions.
Girigorie, on the other hand, has hinted that the truth might be more complex. In a rare interview, he mentioned that their marriage faced difficulties almost immediately, and that he was “shocked” by Wendy’s behavior, describing it as “bizarre” and “not what I expected.”
What Went Wrong?
According to Bert Girigorie, things started to unravel quickly after their marriage. He cited erratic behavior and a lack of communication as two main issues. There was also an implication that Wendy’s drug use may have played a role. Williams has openly admitted in her books and interviews to struggling with cocaine addiction during her early radio career.
Girigorie claimed he was unaware of the full extent of her drug use during their courtship and that it became more apparent after their marriage. The couple separated just five months after tying the knot and finalized their divorce sometime around 1995.
While Girigorie has refrained from attacking Wendy in the media, he has expressed frustration over how he was portrayed in her retellings of their relationship.
Life After Wendy Williams
Following their divorce, Bert Girigorie returned to his quiet, professional life. He built a successful career in marketing and eventually started his own firm, G2 Marketing. He is also known to be active in community projects and professional mentorship programs, especially those that empower minority-owned businesses.
He reportedly remarried and started a family, though he continues to keep his personal life out of the public eye.
Unlike many who get pulled into the celebrity spotlight, Bert consciously chose to walk away and focus on what he knows best: business and personal growth.
Bert Girigorie vs. Kevin Hunter: A Stark Contrast
While Bert Girigorie’s marriage to Wendy Williams was short-lived and relatively drama-free, her second marriage to Kevin Hunter was marred by scandal. Hunter was not only her husband but also her manager for many years, and their relationship involved public accusations of infidelity, abuse, and financial mismanagement.
Comparatively, Girigorie seems like a man who respected boundaries and maintained professionalism even after the relationship ended. Many fans of Wendy Williams have expressed that her brief marriage to Bert might have been the healthiest relationship she ever had, though it simply wasn’t meant to last.
Girigorie Speaks Out
For decades, Bert remained silent. But in recent years, as public curiosity grew, he began speaking out. In 2019, he gave an interview discussing his side of the story and expressed his feelings about being portrayed inaccurately.
In the interview, Bert claimed:
“I didn’t know what I was getting into… she wasn’t the person I thought I married.”
He went on to say that he found her to be secretive, guarded, and dealing with issues that she kept hidden from him during their courtship.
While he stopped short of making any malicious claims, it was clear that Bert felt misrepresented and misunderstood.
Public Perception and Internet Fame
In today’s age of internet sleuthing and pop culture fascination, Bert Girigorie has become something of an online mystery. People who dig into Wendy Williams’ past inevitably come across his name, and many are surprised to learn she had been married before Kevin Hunter.
Social media posts occasionally surface with fans expressing admiration for Bert’s silence and dignity. Reddit threads, YouTube video comment sections, and Twitter/X timelines often refer to him as the “one that got away” or the “calm before the storm.”
This surge in public interest has put Girigorie’s name back in the SEO rankings—many search for “Bert Girigorie now,” “Bert Girigorie interview,” and “Who is Wendy Williams’ first husband?” without realizing how deep the story runs.
Legacy and Reputation
Although he is not a household name, Bert Girigorie has earned respect in business and among those who know him personally. He serves as an example of someone who faced unexpected fame and chose to keep his integrity intact.
He continues to lead G2 Marketing, helping businesses expand their digital reach, and serves as a mentor to young entrepreneurs, especially in the African-American community.
In an age when many chase clout and controversy for a moment in the spotlight, Girigorie’s quiet dignity stands out.
Final Thoughts: Who Is Bert Girigorie, Really?
At the end of the day, Bert Girigorie is more than just “Wendy Williams’ ex-husband.” He’s an educated, driven, and successful professional who carved out his own lane in the marketing industry. He endured a very public personal experience but chose not to capitalize on it for fame or profit.
While his relationship with Wendy Williams was short and fraught with personal challenges, it was only a small chapter in a larger life defined by business acumen, personal integrity, and quiet success.
For those looking to understand the full story of Wendy Williams’ journey—including the people who helped shape her life—Bert Girigorie’s story deserves to be told.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: When did Bert Girigorie marry Wendy Williams?
A: They got married in 1994 but separated after just five months.
Q: What does Bert Girigorie do for a living?
A: He is a marketing executive and President of G2 Marketing in Charlotte, NC.
Q: Did Bert Girigorie speak out about Wendy Williams?
A: Yes, he gave a rare interview in which he discussed his confusion and disappointment during their marriage.
Q: Does Bert Girigorie have any children?
A: That information is not publicly confirmed, as he keeps his personal life private.
Q: Is Bert Girigorie active on social media?
A: He maintains a low profile and is not active on major social platforms.
