The surviving farmer’s first marriage did not last long

With the latest season Survivor captivating audiences once again, all eyes are on Jeff Probst, the beloved host who has become synonymous with the show since its inception in 2000. Although fans admire his charisma and skillful handling, many are unaware of his personal life, especially his relationships.

Apparently when Jeff Probst entered the world Survivor in 2000, he married his first wife, Shelly Wright, in 1996. However, unlike his 47-season TV show, the reality star’s marriage did not last, as Probst and Wright divorced just a year after filming began. Probst then had several relationships until he finally remarried in 2011.

Who is Jeff Probst’s first wife?

When Jeff Probst entered the world of CBS reality television Survivoras host in 2000, he was already a married man. Before Probst became a household name, he was married to his first wife, Shelly Wright, in 1996. Unlike Probst, Wright was on a completely different path – she happened to be a therapist from Tennessee who specialized in trauma, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). (By Psychology today).

In 1996, when Shelly Wright married Jeff Probst, she began working as the director of state accident services for mothers struggling under the influence of alcohol. She held this position for eight years. In addition to her community work with MADD, Wright later joined the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center in 2006 as a clinical supervisor, clinical director and sexual assault therapist.

The short married life of Jeff Probst and Shelly Wright

However, despite Jeff Probst and Shelly Wright’s success in their workplace, the duo failed to continue their marriage. They got married in 1996. Their marriage came at a time when Probst was just beginning to make a name for himself, stepping into a role that would define his career. And although Wright played a supporting role in his early endeavors, their paths gradually began to diverge.

Probst and Wright’s marriage was relatively short-lived, lasting only a year later Survivor premiered. Perhaps the pressures of sudden fame and the demands of the show took a toll on their relationship, leading to their divorce in 2001. However, despite their breakup, they remained silent about their relationship history. According to reports, the couple did not have any children together.

Jeff Probst’s relationship with Survivor Competitor

After his divorce from Shelly Wright, Jeff Probst navigated the dating scene thanks to his significant relationship with Survivor competitor. According to reports from PeopleProbst was linked to former reality TV contestant Julie Berry from 2004 to 2008. Although the relationship didn’t last long, like his first marriage, it made headlines.

No one is more surprised than me that I managed to find romance in the show I host, but the truth is that when something like this falls in your lap, you don’t look at how it’s packaged, you don’t look at how it is delivered. You just wrap your arms around it and hold on, because this is my love affair and I have no doubt about it. Prob shared.

Although Jeff Probst’s affair with Survivor Season 9 contestant Julie Berry gave insight into the Emmy winner’s changing perspective on love and commitment. The show ended after a few years, leaving fans devastated for the host. Berry began working as a story assistant and producer on series such as Dancing with the Stars AND Single, while Probst continued his show on CBS.

Jeff Probst had better luck with his second wife

Then, as two of his previous relationships faded into the background, Jeff Probst stepped back into the spotlight, starting to make headlines again for his relationship with former model and actress Lisa Ann Russell. Meeting at Survivor at producer Mark Burnett’s Christmas party, Probst and Russell hit it off immediately given their shared love of reality TV (via People).

Jeff Probst soon tied the knot with Lisa Ann Russell in an intimate backyard wedding in December 2011 and became a devoted husband and beloved stepfather to her two children, Michael and Ava. Russell was previously married to actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar from August 1996 – with whom she shared children – until their separation in June 2010.

Meanwhile, Probst and Russell’s bond blossomed and they found a balance between their personal and professional lives. This marriage marked a new chapter for Probst, who seemed to have finally found his partner in crime. Unlike his previous marriage and relationship, the host’s relationship with Lisa Ann Russell lasted for over a decade, despite the ups and downs of fame and personal growth.