Ellen Pompeo, best known as the face of Meredith Grey on Grey’s Anatomy, has spent nearly two decades as one of the most recognizable and highest-paid stars in television. While millions of fans know her as the beloved surgeon on TV’s longest-running medical drama, her real-life love story with husband Chris Ivery is equally compelling. Away from the on-screen drama, the 55-year-old actress has been happily married to Ivery since 2007. Let’s take a closer look at the man behind the scenes, his career, their family life, and the key to their lasting relationship.
Who is Chris Ivery?
Chris Ivery, now 57 years old, is a businessman and former music producer from Cambridge, Massachusetts. Although not in the spotlight like his wife, Ivery carved out a successful 25-year career in the music industry. One of his most notable credits is co-writing Rihanna’s 2011 hit “Cheers (Drink to That).”
However, Ivery made a bold career shift in 2019, pivoting from music to the fashion world. A long-time fan of Sergio Tacchini, a European sportswear label, he decided to bring the brand’s influence to Los Angeles. This led to the creation of the STLA Collection, a collaboration that refreshed the Sergio Tacchini image for the U.S. market. Ellen has openly praised her husband’s reinvention, stating, “He killed it. For anybody who feels they’re stuck, you can change your career at any age.”
How Did Ellen Pompeo Meet Chris Ivery?
Their love story started unexpectedly at a Los Angeles grocery store back in 2003, two years before Pompeo became Meredith Grey. As fate would have it, both Ellen and Chris grew up in Boston-area neighborhoods just miles apart, but never met until adulthood. “We were six degrees our whole lives,” Pompeo once remarked, referring to their parallel childhoods.
Their bond started as a friendship. Ivery later shared, “We were friends for six months. Then one night she just looked different to me.” What began as a casual friendship soon evolved into romance, laying the groundwork for one of Hollywood’s most private and enduring marriages.
Ellen Pompeo and Chris Ivery’s Wedding
Ellen Pompeo and Chris Ivery took the road less traveled when it came to marriage. After Ivery proposed with a stunning 3.5-carat diamond ring in 2006, the couple tied the knot in a low-key ceremony on November 9, 2007, at New York City Hall. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg even officiated the wedding.
Pompeo later shared the details of their intimate day: “We flew out on a redeye Thursday night, went to City Hall Friday morning, had lunch at Lupa, and then had the whole weekend to ourselves.” The simplicity and privacy were exactly what they wanted, far removed from the typical Hollywood fanfare.
Family Life: How Many Kids Do They Have?
Ellen and Chris are parents to three children. Their eldest daughter, Stella Luna Pompeo Ivery, was born in September 2009. During Pompeo’s first pregnancy, Grey’s Anatomy cleverly worked around her baby bump by writing in a storyline about her character donating a kidney.
Their second child, Sienna May Ivery, was born via surrogate in 2014, a choice Pompeo kept private for two months before announcing her arrival. In 2016, the couple welcomed a son, Eli Christopher Ivery, completing their family of five.
Pompeo shares occasional glimpses of her children on social media, highlighting sweet moments such as singing sessions with Eli and family adventures with Stella and Sienna. Balancing a demanding acting career with motherhood, Pompeo has spoken candidly about the ups and downs of parenting, admitting, “I make a lot of mistakes. But you can’t adopt a victim’s attitude; you have to fix it with kids.”
Ellen Pompeo on Raising Biracial Children
As a mother to biracial children, Pompeo has openly discussed the importance of addressing issues of race. “I’m not afraid to talk about race,” she said in a 2018 appearance on Red Table Talk with Jada Pinkett Smith. Pompeo emphasized her commitment to raising socially aware children and fostering honest conversations about identity and inclusion.
What Does Chris Ivery Think About Ellen’s On-Screen Romances?
While Pompeo’s character has shared romantic storylines with various characters on Grey’s Anatomy, including the beloved Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), Ivery has admitted that watching these scenes hasn’t always been easy. “Poor guy had no idea what he was getting into,” Pompeo joked on the podcast Ladies First with Laura Brown.
In a 2019 interview, Ivery admitted that while he is confident and supportive, watching his wife in romantic scenes can be “awkward.” Despite this, their relationship remains solid, with Pompeo crediting open communication as a key to handling the unique challenges of her career.
Where Do Ellen Pompeo and Chris Ivery Live?
The couple currently resides in a stunning oceanfront Malibu beach house, which they purchased in 2013. The home, which was featured in Architectural Digest in early 2023, is a serene escape from the hustle of Hollywood, providing the perfect family retreat. The design reflects Pompeo’s love for mid-century architecture and warm, natural elements.
What’s the Secret to Their Long-Lasting Marriage?
Pompeo has often shared that the success of her marriage boils down to acceptance and mutual respect. “Just don’t try to change people,” she advised. “They are who they are, and they were fine when you married them, so don’t expect them to change.”
Despite navigating the pressures of Hollywood, busy careers, and parenthood, Ellen Pompeo and Chris Ivery’s relationship has remained grounded. Their ability to maintain privacy and prioritize family has made them one of the most admired couples in the entertainment industry.
Conclusion
Behind the Grey’s Anatomy stardom, Ellen Pompeo and Chris Ivery’s relationship is a story of loyalty, growth, and shared values. From a chance meeting at a grocery store to raising three children together, the couple has built a strong and private life away from the cameras. Whether supporting each other’s evolving careers or focusing on their family, Pompeo and Ivery prove that enduring love is possible even in the spotlight.
