If you’ve followed Josh Duhamel from his days running the Montecito on Las Vegas to saving the world in Transformers, you’ve probably also kept tabs on his personal life—two marriages, a growing family, and a few unanswered questions about his politics and health. Here are the verified facts, the gaps still waiting for confirmation, and what the actor himself has said about sobriety, his age gap with his second wife, and the end of his marriage to Fergie.
Born: November 14, 1972, in Minot, North Dakota ·
Known for: Las Vegas, Transformers franchise, Life as We Know It ·
Marriages: Two: Fergie (2009–2019) and Audra Mari (2022–present) ·
Child with Fergie: One son, Axl James Duhamel (born 2013)
Quick snapshot
- Born November 14, 1972, in Minot, North Dakota (Britannica)
- Married Fergie in 2009; separated 2017; divorce finalized 2019 (People)
- Son Axl James Duhamel born August 29, 2013 (The Knot)
- Married Audra Mari in September 2022 (Country Living)
- Son Shepherd Lawrence Duhamel born January 11, 2024 (Country Living) (Britannica)
- Daughter Rocca de Leon Duhamel born May 2026 (People) (Britannica)
- Exact reason for the 2017 separation has not been officially detailed by either party (People) (People)
- Timeline and personal framing of Duhamel’s decision to stop drinking rely on a single interview, not a sustained public statement (People)
- No verified direct quote from Duhamel expressing support for or against Donald Trump (NBC Connecticut)
- The exact circumstances of how Duhamel and Mari first met are based on his account but not independently corroborated (Yahoo Entertainment)
- 2003: Breakthrough role on NBC’s Las Vegas (Britannica)
- 2009: Marries Fergie (People)
- 2013: Son Axl is born (Country Living)
- 2017: Announcement of separation (People)
- 2019: Divorce finalized (The Knot)
- 2022: Marries Audra Mari (Country Living)
- 2024: Son Shepherd is born (Country Living)
- 2026: Daughter Rocca is born (People)
- Co-parenting with Fergie continues; both have described their relationship as amicable (The Knot)
- Duhamel and Mari are raising two young children together, with Mari focused on family life (Country Living)
- No announced film or television projects as of the latest profile, but Duhamel remains active in Hollywood (Britannica)
Seven facts, one pattern: Duhamel’s public biography is well-documented for career milestones and major life events, but the private details—split reasons, sobriety timeline, political beliefs—remain largely unconfirmed by the principals themselves.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Joshua David Duhamel |
| Birth date | November 14, 1972 |
| Birthplace | Minot, North Dakota |
| Occupation | Actor and former model |
| Known work | Las Vegas, Transformers, Life as We Know It |
| Spouses | Fergie (2009–2019); Audra Mari (2022–present) |
| Children | Son Axl (with Fergie); son Shepherd and daughter Rocca (with Mari) |
Two marriages, one clear pattern: Duhamel’s family life has expanded significantly in the past few years, yet public curiosity remains focused on the earlier chapter with Fergie.
Why Did Fergie Dump Josh Duhamel?
The short answer: we don’t have a one-sided “dumping” story because neither party has described it that way. In September 2017, the couple released a joint statement to People announcing their separation “with great love and respect,” emphasizing their commitment to co-parenting. The divorce was finalized in 2019.
How long were Fergie and Josh Duhamel married?
- They married on January 10, 2009, and announced their separation in September 2017 — a marriage of approximately 8 years and 8 months (The Knot). The divorce was finalized in November 2019 (People).
Did Fergie remarry after Josh?
- As of the latest reliable reporting in mid-2026, Fergie has not remarried. She has not publicly confirmed any serious relationship since the divorce (Us Weekly).
By issuing a joint statement in 2017, both Duhamel and Fergie controlled the narrative—but that control also means the public never got the kind of tell-all that fuels gossip headlines. Celebrity readers: you won’t find a villain here, only two people who chose privacy.
The implication: a clean split was better for Axl, even if it leaves fans without the closure—or drama—they were hoping for.
How Many Wives Did Josh Duhamel Have?
Duhamel has been married twice. His first marriage to singer Fergie lasted from 2009 to 2019. He married Audra Mari in September 2022.
Who is Audra Mari?
- Audra Mari is a former beauty pageant winner and model from North Dakota. She was crowned Miss North Dakota Teen USA in 2011 and later competed in Miss World America. She is also an entrepreneur and military veteran advocate (Country Living).
How did Josh Duhamel meet his second wife?
- According to Duhamel, he first contacted Mari via direct message on social media and later invited her to a backyard barbecue at his home. He initially saw her “just as a friend” because of the age difference (NBC Connecticut). The relationship began in 2019, and he proposed on her 28th birthday (The Knot).
What is Audra Mari’s ethnicity?
- Mari’s background is primarily of Scandinavian and Northern European descent, common in the upper Midwest. She has not publicly detailed her full ethnic lineage, but local profiles in North Dakota describe her as having Norwegian and German ancestry (Yahoo Entertainment).
Duhamel’s second marriage is still young, but the couple has already had two children in less than two years. The pace suggests they are building a large family, which could shift his career priorities further away from the Hollywood spotlight.
The pattern: each child expands the distance between Duhamel’s Hollywood past and his domestic present—and the former action star seems content with that trade.
Does Josh Duhamel See His Son with Fergie?
Yes. Multiple sources confirm that Duhamel and Fergie share custody of Axl, born in 2013. Both have spoken publicly about keeping their son’s well-being at the center of their post-divorce relationship.
Who has custody of Josh Duhamel’s son?
- Duhamel has said in interviews that he and Fergie have “an equal partnership” in raising Axl. While the exact legal terms of the custody arrangement are private, both parents have been photographed with Axl regularly and speak about him with affection (The Knot).
Is Josh Duhamel still friends with Fergie?
- Yes. In their 2017 statement, they referred to each other as “forever connected.” Duhamel later told People that Axl is his priority and that he respects Fergie as a co-parent. Fergie has similarly spoken positively about him in interviews.
What this means: in an industry where custody battles dominate headlines, Duhamel and Fergie have made their son the shared priority—and kept the lawyers out of it.
Is Josh Duhamel Sober Now?
According to a 2026 interview with People, Duhamel stated that he no longer drinks alcohol. He described the change as a personal health choice rather than a response to any scandal or intervention.
Why did Josh Duhamel stop drinking?
- Duhamel said he “just felt better” without alcohol and decided to stop for his health. He has not used terms like “alcoholic” or “recovery,” and his comments suggest a lifestyle adjustment rather than a clinical diagnosis (People).
Has Josh Duhamel talked about sobriety publicly?
- Yes, but only in the context of a single interview. He has not made it a recurring topic on social media or in other press appearances. The limited discussion means the timeline of when he quit is not precisely known (Us Weekly).
Because Duhamel has spoken about his alcohol use in just one interview, any broader narrative about his sobriety is built on a thin foundation. Celebrity news outlets have a habit of turning a single “I don’t drink” into a redemption arc — in this case, the actor himself hasn’t made that leap.
The catch: if Duhamel ever gives a second interview on the topic, expect the sobriety story to harden into a saga—despite his own modest framing.
What Is the Age Gap between Fergie and Josh Duhamel?
Here’s the part that surprises many fans: Fergie is older than Duhamel, not the other way around. She was born March 27, 1975, making her about two years and four months older than him.
How old is Josh Duhamel?
- Born November 14, 1972, in Minot, North Dakota (Britannica).
How old is Fergie?
- Born March 27, 1975, in Hacienda Heights, California (AllMusic).
The age gap between Fergie and Duhamel is approximately 2 years and 4 months, with Fergie being the older partner. This is in contrast to his current marriage, where Mari is 21 years younger than him.
The implication: age-gap scrutiny follows the gender of the older spouse, and Duhamel’s jokes about his second marriage reveal how aware he is of the double standard.
Does Josh Duhamel Like Trump?
This question has circulated largely because of a single photo or social media interaction that was interpreted as a political statement. Duhamel has not given a clear, on-the-record endorsement or criticism of Donald Trump in any major interview.
What did Josh Duhamel say about Trump?
- There is no verified direct quote from Duhamel expressing support for or opposition to Trump. Most coverage of his political views stems from a 2020 Instagram post where he shared a meme about voting, which some interpreted as anti-Trump and others as neutral (NBC Connecticut).
What are Josh Duhamel’s political views?
- Duhamel has not declared a party affiliation or endorsed a presidential candidate in a formal way. He has occasionally liked political posts on social media, but that is not the same as a public statement. Without a direct interview quote, any claim about his views is speculation (Yahoo Entertainment).
The more people search for Duhamel’s political stance, the more the question becomes a self-reinforcing loop — the search itself creates the impression that there’s a story to find. In reality, the actor has chosen to keep his politics private, which is itself a political statement in an era that demands declarations.
What this means: the absence of a Trump quote is itself the answer—Duhamel has decided that his political silence is safer than a headline.
Timeline: Key Events in Josh Duhamel’s Life
- 1972 — Born in Minot, North Dakota (Britannica)
- 2003 — Begins playing Danny McCoy on Las Vegas (Britannica)
- 2009 — Marries Fergie (People)
- 2013 — Son Axl is born (Country Living)
- 2017 — Separation announced (People)
- 2019 — Divorce finalized (The Knot)
- 2022 — Marries Audra Mari (Country Living)
- 2024 — Son Shepherd Lawrence Duhamel born (Country Living)
- 2026 — Daughter Rocca de Leon Duhamel born (People)
The pattern: the pace shift after 2022 suggests a man who rebuilt his family structure quickly—and deliberately—after the Fergie chapter closed.
Clarity Check: Confirmed vs. Unconfirmed
Confirmed facts
- Josh Duhamel was born in 1972 in Minot, North Dakota.
- He married Fergie in 2009; they announced separation in 2017 and divorced in 2019.
- Their son Axl was born in 2013.
- He married Audra Mari in 2022.
- He and Mari have two children: Shepherd (2024) and Rocca (2026).
- Duhamel said in a 2026 interview that he no longer drinks alcohol.
- The age gap with Mari is 21 years; with Fergie, Fergie is about 2.5 years older.
What’s unclear or unconfirmed
- The specific reason for the 2017 separation has not been elaborated by Duhamel or Fergie.
- The timeline of when Duhamel stopped drinking is not publicly known.
- Duhamel has not used the term “sober” or described a recovery journey.
- Duhamel’s political views on Donald Trump have not been expressed in a direct quote.
- The exact details of how Duhamel met Mari are based only on his account.
- Whether Fergie has been in any serious relationship since 2017 is not confirmed.
- Duhamel’s future acting projects are not announced.
The contrast could not be clearer: the public record on Duhamel’s career is solid, but the personal record is intentionally thin—and that gap is exactly what keeps readers searching.
What the People Involved Have Said
“With great love and respect we have decided to separate as a couple. We are forever connected by our son Axl.”
— Josh Duhamel and Fergie, joint statement to People, September 2017
“Axl comes first. Always. He’s the most important thing in both of our lives.”
— Josh Duhamel, interview with People, 2026
“I’m officially too old for her. She’s the same age as my youngest sister.”
— Josh Duhamel, joking about the 21-year age gap with Audra Mari, People, July 2026
“I just felt better. It wasn’t a big thing — I just decided I didn’t want to drink anymore.”
— Josh Duhamel on quitting alcohol, People, 2026
Four statements, one throughline: Duhamel speaks openly but never clinically. His quotes are warm, self-deprecating, and careful not to over-dramatize personal decisions.
people.com, cosmopolitan.com, parade.com, people.com, yahoo.com, fatherly.com
Frequently asked questions
Did Josh Duhamel have a baby with Fergie?
Yes. Their son Axl James Duhamel was born on August 29, 2013 (Country Living).
What was Josh Duhamel’s first major acting role?
His breakout role was Danny McCoy on the NBC drama Las Vegas, which ran from 2003 to 2008 (Britannica).
Is Audra Mari active in the entertainment industry?
She was a model and pageant queen (Miss North Dakota Teen USA 2011) but has not pursued an acting career. She now focuses on her family and advocacy for military veterans (Country Living).
What is Josh Duhamel’s connection to North Dakota?
He was born in Minot, North Dakota, and still has family there. His wife Audra Mari also grew up in North Dakota, and the couple has said that shared background helped them connect (Yahoo Entertainment).
Why is Duhamel’s drinking behavior receiving renewed public interest?
A 2026 interview with People revealed that Duhamel no longer drinks, which sparked searches about his sobriety. The interest reflects a broader cultural appetite for celebrity health transformations, even when the person involved doesn’t frame it that way.
The pattern: Duhamel’s quietest personal choices generate the loudest search traffic—and his refusal to dramatize them is itself the most revealing statement he makes.
Related reading: Who is Audra Mari? Everything to know about Josh Duhamel’s wife (People) · Josh Duhamel biography (Britannica)
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Focus, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.