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Bill Murray's Wives: The Shocking Accusations, Sudden Tragedy, And His Latest 2023 Romance

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Few Hollywood legends maintain an aura of mystery and effortless charm quite like Bill Murray, yet his personal life—particularly his two marriages—has been marked by significant public drama and, most recently, a private tragedy. The acclaimed actor, known for his roles in classics like Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day, has been married twice, resulting in six sons, and has recently made headlines for a surprising, albeit brief, summer romance that captivated the internet. This article, updated for , delves into the full, complex history of Bill Murray's relationships, from the early days of his career to the recent, unexpected news.

Bill Murray is not currently married. His two marriages, to Margaret Kelly and Jennifer Butler, both ended in highly publicized and contentious divorces, leaving a trail of serious allegations. The most recent and somber update to his relationship history is the tragic and sudden passing of his second wife, Jennifer Butler Murray, in 2021. Meanwhile, the most recent news of his dating life came in 2023 with a widely reported, short-lived romance with a well-known singer.

The Complete Biography and Relationship Timeline of Bill Murray

To fully understand the context of Bill Murray's marital history, it is essential to first look at the key details of the women who were his wives and the timeline of their relationships.

  • Full Name: William James Murray
  • Born: September 21, 1950 (Age 75 as of 2025)
  • Occupation: Actor, Comedian, Writer, Producer
  • First Wife: Margaret Kelly (Mickey Kelly)
    • Married: January 25, 1981, in Las Vegas
    • Divorced: 1996
    • Children Together: 2 sons (Homer Murray, Luke Murray)
  • Second Wife: Jennifer Butler Murray
    • Born: October 24, 1963
    • Died: January 12, 2021 (Age 57), in Sullivan's Island, South Carolina
    • Occupation: Costume Designer
    • Married: 1997
    • Divorced: June 13, 2008, in Charleston County, South Carolina
    • Children Together: 4 sons (Caleb Murray, Jackson Murray, Cooper Murray, Lincoln Murray)
  • Recent Partner: Kelis Rogers (Singer, known mononymously as Kelis)
    • Relationship Status: Reportedly dated for a "summer fling" in 2023
    • Split: September 2023

1. Margaret Kelly: The Early Marriage and Infidelity Allegations

Bill Murray's first marriage was to Margaret Kelly, often referred to as Mickey Kelly. The two met early in Murray's career, reportedly on the set of the 1981 comedy film Stripes. Their relationship began with a quiet wedding in Las Vegas in January 1981. Margaret and Bill had two sons together: Homer Murray, born in 1982, and Luke Murray, who has since become a successful college basketball coach.

The marriage lasted for approximately 15 years, but it was reportedly not without its challenges. The couple ultimately divorced in 1996. While the details of the split were not as explosive as his second divorce, reports at the time indicated that the separation was due to Murray's infidelity. It was alleged that Murray had an affair with Jennifer Butler—the woman who would become his second wife—while still married to Kelly.

Following the divorce, Margaret Kelly has largely maintained a private life away from the Hollywood spotlight. Her son, Homer Murray, has followed a different path, becoming a well-known chef and restaurateur in New York City, demonstrating that the Murray family's ties remain strong despite the parents' separation.

2. Jennifer Butler Murray: The Tumultuous Divorce and Tragic Passing

Bill Murray married his second wife, Jennifer Butler, a costume designer whom he met while she was working on the film Scrooged, in 1997. The couple had a much longer marriage than his first, lasting over ten years, and they welcomed four sons: Caleb, Jackson, Cooper, and Lincoln.

This marriage, however, ended in a highly public and acrimonious divorce that brought to light serious allegations against the actor. In May 2008, Jennifer Butler Murray filed for divorce in Charleston County, South Carolina. The legal documents contained shocking claims that painted a dark picture of the actor's home life.

Serious Allegations in the Divorce Filing

The divorce papers filed by Jennifer Butler included accusations of:

  • Sexual Addiction: Claiming Murray was addicted to sex and alcohol.
  • Domestic Violence: Stating that Murray was abusive, including one instance where he allegedly hit her face and cursed at her.
  • Abandonment: Accusing Murray of abandoning her and their children.

The divorce was finalized quickly in June 2008, with a judge signing off on the agreement. Jennifer Butler was granted full custody of their four children and was awarded ownership of homes in both California and Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, where she resided.

The Tragic and Sudden Death of Jennifer Butler

The story of Jennifer Butler Murray took a tragic turn years after the divorce. On January 12, 2021, Jennifer Butler Murray suddenly passed away at the age of 57 in her home in Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. While the cause of death was not widely publicized, her sudden passing was a devastating loss for her family, including her four sons with Bill Murray. The news of her death brought a somber closure to the highly publicized chapter of their relationship.

3. The 2023 Kelis Romance: A Brief Summer Fling

For years after his second divorce, Bill Murray’s dating life remained mostly private, leading many to believe he was focusing solely on his career and his six sons. However, in the summer of 2023, the Ghostbusters star made international headlines when he was romantically linked to the Grammy-nominated singer Kelis Rogers, known for her hit song "Milkshake."

The romance reportedly sparked after they were seen together at several events, including the Mighty Hoopla festival in London and the singer's performance in the city. Despite the significant age gap—Murray was 72 and Kelis was 44 at the time—the relationship was described as a "whirlwind romance" and a "summer fling."

The pairing was unexpected and generated immense media buzz, but it proved to be short-lived. By September 2023, reports confirmed that Bill Murray and Kelis had decided to part ways. Sources indicated that it was Kelis who ultimately ended the relationship. The brief but highly-publicized relationship serves as the most recent update to Bill Murray’s complex and often dramatic romantic history.

The Legacy of Bill Murray’s Family

Despite the end of his two marriages, Bill Murray is a devoted father to his six sons: Homer, Luke, Caleb, Jackson, Cooper, and Lincoln. His ex-wives, Margaret Kelly and the late Jennifer Butler, are the mothers of his children, and the actor has maintained a presence in their lives. His son, Homer Murray, has become a successful figure in the New York culinary scene, while Luke Murray has carved out a notable career in college basketball coaching. The Murray family, including Bill's numerous siblings, remains a large and prominent entity, even as the actor himself continues to navigate his career and personal life as a single man.

bill murray wife
bill murray wife

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