Bill Murray's Wives And Loves: 4 Shocking Revelations About His Two Divorces And The Kelis Rumor
Bill Murray’s public persona is one of a beloved, eccentric comedic genius, but his private life, particularly concerning his two marriages, has been anything but a comedy. As of December 2025, the legendary actor remains unmarried, having navigated two high-profile divorces that included shocking public allegations, legal battles, and a significant financial settlement. This deep dive explores the full timeline of his relationships, from his early marriage to Margaret Kelly to the tragic end of his union with Jennifer Butler, and finally, the definitive, recent clarification on the widely circulated rumors involving singer Kelis.
The veteran actor, known for iconic roles in films like *Ghostbusters*, *Groundhog Day*, and *Lost in Translation*, has consistently kept his personal affairs out of the spotlight, making the public details of his failed marriages all the more compelling. His romantic journey has been marked by complexity, resulting in six sons and a legacy of marital turbulence that starkly contrasts with his on-screen charm. Understanding his personal history is key to appreciating the full scope of the man behind the myth.
Bill Murray's Wives and Sons: A Complete Biographical Profile
Bill Murray has been married and divorced twice, fathering six sons across the two unions. His current relationship status is single, though he has recently addressed a high-profile dating rumor that captivated the entertainment world. This section provides a listicle breakdown of his former wives and children.
- First Wife: Margaret 'Mickey' Kelly
- Relationship Status: Divorced
- Marriage Date: January 25, 1981 (Married during the filming of *Stripes*)
- Divorce Date: 1996
- Children: Two sons: Homer Murray (restaurateur) and Luke Murray (college basketball coach)
- Second Wife: Jennifer Butler Murray
- Relationship Status: Divorced (She passed away in 2021)
- Marriage Date: July 4, 1997
- Divorce Date: June 13, 2008
- Children: Four sons: Caleb, Jackson, Cooper, and Lincoln Murray
- Rumored Partner: Kelis
- Relationship Status: Never Dated (Confirmed by Bill Murray in a recent interview)
- Rumor Date: Mid-2023
The Tumultuous First Marriage and Quiet Split from Margaret Kelly
Murray's first marriage to Margaret Kelly, often referred to as Mickey Kelly, began on the set of his breakout film, *Stripes*, and they tied the knot in Las Vegas in January 1981. The couple later remarried in Chicago for their families. This union produced the actor's two eldest sons, Homer and Luke Murray, and lasted for approximately 15 years.
While their divorce in 1996 was less publicly scandalous than his second, it was reportedly complicated by Murray's affair with his future second wife, Jennifer Butler, which began while he was still married to Kelly. The end of the marriage to Margaret Kelly coincided with a tumultuous period in the actor's life, though he has rarely spoken publicly about the details of their separation, maintaining a level of privacy around his first ex-wife.
The divorce from Margaret Kelly paved the way for Murray to marry Jennifer Butler, whom he had already welcomed a child with before his first divorce was finalized. This overlap highlights the complex and often messy reality of his personal life during the 1990s, a period where his professional success was soaring with films like *Groundhog Day* and *Ed Wood*.
The Shocking Allegations and Second Divorce from Jennifer Butler
Bill Murray’s marriage to costume designer Jennifer Butler, which began on July 4, 1997, ended in a highly publicized and dramatic split. The divorce proceedings, finalized in June 2008, brought to light a series of shocking allegations that rocked the actor’s reputation and provided a stark contrast to his beloved on-screen persona.
In her divorce filing, Jennifer Butler Murray alleged that the actor engaged in a pattern of domestic abuse, infidelity, and addiction. Specifically, she claimed Murray was addicted to marijuana and alcohol and that he had been abusive. One of the most serious allegations included that he struck her face in 2007.
The legal documents also cited "sexual addiction" and "adultery" as grounds for the divorce, painting a picture of a deeply troubled marriage. The couple had a prenuptial agreement, which stipulated a $7 million payment to Jennifer Butler Murray upon their divorce, a significant sum that underscored the high-stakes nature of the separation.
Despite the bitter end, Murray and Butler shared four sons, and the actor publicly confessed the toll the high-profile divorce had taken on his life. Jennifer Butler, who had been a significant figure in the actor's life for nearly two decades, tragically passed away in 2021, a loss that undoubtedly impacted the entire Murray family, including all six of his children.
Bill Murray's Current Relationship Status: The Truth Behind the Kelis Rumor
In the summer of 2023, the entertainment world was abuzz with rumors that the 70-something *Saturday Night Live* alum was dating the "Milkshake" singer, Kelis, who is several decades his junior. The reports suggested they had been spotted together at various events and were growing close, sparking curiosity about this unlikely celebrity pairing.
However, in a recent and definitive clarification, Bill Murray has finally addressed the speculation, confirming that the rumors were false. He explained that while he knew Kelis and was friendly with her, they were never romantically involved. He even joked about the positive impact the rumor had on his image, saying it "really raised my cred a lot."
As of today, the *Caddyshack* star is not married and is not known to be in a committed relationship. His focus appears to be on his career, his six sons, and his public appearances, which continue to cement his status as a beloved, albeit complex, Hollywood icon. The persistent interest in his personal life, from the details of his two ex-wives and their respective divorces to the latest dating speculation, confirms that the public remains fascinated by the man behind the comedy.
Detail Author:
- Name : Guillermo Hegmann
- Username : gkling
- Email : qmayer@hand.info
- Birthdate : 1997-12-24
- Address : 355 Crooks Drive Suite 220 Kundechester, AR 07354-1938
- Phone : 262.468.8617
- Company : Leannon, Lebsack and Wilkinson
- Job : Food Tobacco Roasting
- Bio : Voluptates sed nemo sed sunt odit omnis minus. Eos quaerat provident hic totam quae nostrum. Qui qui distinctio sint est ut nobis et.
Socials
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/emiliomedhurst
- username : emiliomedhurst
- bio : Doloremque non et vel incidunt sed ad. Consequatur occaecati enim laboriosam id numquam.
- followers : 6695
- following : 1270
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/emilio_medhurst
- username : emilio_medhurst
- bio : Ad eum ipsa non ut. Molestiae est qui qui blanditiis dolor dolor molestiae. Aut quam perspiciatis dolorem rerum sit nam mollitia nesciunt.
- followers : 1395
- following : 2493
