Meryl Streep And Don Gummer's Love Story, Married For 45 Yrs, Had A Quiet Separation Before Divorce

Meryl Streep, the woman who has been ruling Hollywood for decades, is a trailblazer in every sense. Meryl started her career in 1977 with the film, Julia, and since then, there has been no looking back for her. With films like The Deer Hunter, A Cry in the Dark, Devil Wears Prada, The Iron Lady and many more, Meryl proved herself.

Meryl not only balanced her professional life but also her personal life. The Academy Award winner got married to Don Gummer in 1978, whom she met through her brother. Together, they welcomed four children: Henry Wolfe Gummer, Mary “Mamie” Gummer, Grace Gummer, and Louisa Jacobson Gummer. However, the duo parted ways after 45 years of marital bliss without any drama. Meryl seldom discusses her married life; let us look at her decade-long relationship with Don.

Meryl Streep met Don Gummer after her boyfriend, John Cazale’s death

Meryl met Don through her brother, Harry Streep III, in 1978. Meryl was in an emotional phase during that time as she lost her boyfriend, John Cazale, to lung cancer in the same year. After Cazale’s death, Meryl was asked to leave the loft she shared with her late boyfriend. At that time, her brother and his friend, Don Gummer, came to help her.

Since Gummer was taking an extended vacation in Pakistan. He gave his apartment to Meryl, and the two stayed in touch through letters. Soon, they fell in love and tied the knot in September 1978 in her parents’ garden.

Don Gummer took care of the kids while Meryl Streep made a name for herself

Streep and Gummer welcomed their first child, son, Henry Wolfe Gummer in November 1979. Henry carved a path in music and was in the band, Bravo Silva. Meryl and Gummer welcomed their second child, daughter, Mary Willa “Mamie” Gummer, in August 1983. Just like her mother, Mamie ventured into acting. She also appeared in several movies alongside her mom, including Heartburn and Ricki and the Flash.

Meryl and Gummer welcomed their third child, daughter, Grace Gummer, in May 1986. She too became an actress. Grace has also appeared in TV shows, including The Newsroom, American Horror Story: Freak Show, and Mr Robot, as well as movies such as Frances Ha and The Homesman. In 1991, Merl and Gummer welcomed their fourth child, daughter, Louisa Jacobson Gummer, who is also an actress and is best known for her role as ‘Marian Brook’ in The Gilded Age.

While Meryl made a name for herself in the entertainment world, her husband ensured the well-being of their children. Despite being a successful professional sculptor, Gummer was always happy to look after the children so that Meryl didn’t feel guilty about pursuing her career. At the 84th Academy Awards in 2012, she won her third Oscar for The Iron Lady. In her acceptance speech, she thanked Gummer and said:

“First, I’m going to thank Don because when you thank your husband at the end of the speech, they play them out with the music and I want him to know that everything I value most in our lives, you’ve given me.”

Meryl Streep revealed the secret of her decade-long successful marriage with Don Gummer

Meryl and Gummer are very private about their marriage. The actress seldom makes comments about her personal life despite being in the public eye throughout her life. In an interview with Vogue in 2022, Meryl spoke about her marital life with Gummer and said:

“There’s no road map on how to raise a family: It’s always an enormous negotiation. But I have a holistic need to work and to have huge ties of love in my life. I can’t imagine eschewing one for the other.”

Meryl Streep and Don Gummer quietly separated for six years before finalising their divorce

Pic Credit: AP

After 45 years of marriage, Meryl Streep and Don Gummer secretly separated in 2017. The pair was last seen together at the 2018 Oscars and continues to co-parent their kids. However, they are no longer in a romantic relationship. In 2023, Meryl’s representative confirmed the news of her separation from Gummer and revealed:

“Don Gummer and Meryl Streep have been separated for more than 6 years, and while they will always care for each other, they have chosen lives apart.”

Is Meryl Streep dating Martin Short?

Soon after the news of Meryl’s separation from Gummer surfaced, there were rumours that she is currently dating actor, Martin Short. Rumours of the duo started making rounds during the filming of season 3 of Only Murders in the Building. Their red-carpet appearances together have confirmed the news that they are quite serious about each other. A close source told the Examiner that Short is growing impatient with her impending divorce, as he wants to marry the actress. As per the source:

“Her divorce to Don Gummer is dragging on. It’s giving her and Martin major stress heading into 2026. He is getting impatient, and he’s a very old-fashioned guy. He wants them to get married and live together — now.”

Meryl Streep was in a serious relationship with actor, John Cazale before marrying Don Gummer

Before Don Gummer came into Meryl's life, she was in a very serious relationship with actor, John Cazale. Meryl and John met in 1976 when they were cast in Shakespeare's Measure for Measure. The two became friends and eventually fell in love. It was in 1977 when John Cazale was diagnosed with lung cancer, but Meryl stood by him. She signed films to pay his medical bills. She was devoted to him, never leaving his side or hope. On March 12, 1978, Meryl’s world came crashing down when Cazale left for the heavenly abode.

What do you think about Meryl Streep’s 45 years of marriage and quiet separation from Don Gummer?

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Images Courtesy: Meryl Streep/Instagram Fanpage

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