The Shocking End: Why Maria Bello Filed For Divorce From Chef Dominique Crenn After Just One Year Of Marriage
As of late December 2025, the question of "Who is Maria Bello's husband?" has a newly complicated and surprising answer that involves a celebrated French chef, a dream wedding in Mexico, and a shocking divorce filing after just one year of marriage. The acclaimed actress, known for roles in *Coyote Ugly* and *A History of Violence*, is currently navigating a separation from her wife, three-Michelin-starred chef Dominique Crenn.
The relationship between the actress and the world-renowned culinary artist was a celebrated union that highlighted Maria Bello’s open views on fluid sexuality and "unconventional family." However, their whirlwind romance, which began with an engagement in 2019, officially came to a close when Bello filed for divorce in May 2025, marking one of the most unexpected celebrity splits of the year.
Dominique Crenn: The Acclaimed Chef Who Became Maria Bello's Wife
The person who became Maria Bello's wife is not an actor or a Hollywood executive, but a culinary titan: Dominique Crenn. Born in France, Crenn is a chef who has broken significant barriers in the male-dominated world of fine dining.
Crenn is best known as the owner and executive chef of Atelier Crenn in San Francisco. In 2018, she made history by becoming the first and only female chef in the United States to be awarded the coveted three Michelin stars.
Her style of cooking is often described as "poetic culinaria," focusing on artistic presentation and a deeply personal narrative. She has since expanded her empire with other successful San Francisco restaurants, including Bar Crenn and Petit Crenn, earning a total of four Michelin stars across her establishments.
Beyond her restaurants, Dominique Crenn is also a prominent activist and a figure recognized globally for her influence, having been named one of *Time*'s Most Influential people. Her personal life, including her battle with cancer and her open relationship with Bello, has been a source of inspiration for many.
The chef and the actress first announced their engagement in February 2020 at Elton John's annual Oscar party, revealing that Crenn had proposed in Paris.
The Whirlwind Romance and Shocking Divorce Filing in 2025
The relationship between Maria Bello and Dominique Crenn was a high-profile, modern love story that captivated fans, especially after Bello’s groundbreaking 2013 essay and subsequent book, *Whatever… Love is Love*, where she discussed her fluid sexuality.
The couple spent five years engaged before finally tying the knot. Their wedding took place in a beautiful destination ceremony in Mexico in 2024. The event was described as "bohemian, chic," and celebrated by friends and family.
However, the marriage was unexpectedly short-lived. Just one year after their wedding, news broke that Maria Bello had filed for divorce.
- Engagement: 2019 (Paris)
- Marriage Date: May 2024 (Mexico)
- Separation Date: April 7, 2025
- Divorce Filing Date: May 28, 2025 (Los Angeles County)
- Grounds for Divorce: Irreconcilable differences
Court documents reveal that the actress listed April 7, 2025, as the official date of separation, exactly one year after the couple had wed. The filing, which cited irreconcilable differences, was a sudden and surprising development for a couple who had been so open about their love and commitment.
The quick dissolution of the marriage, after a long engagement, suggests that the transition from long-term partners to a legally married couple may have introduced unforeseen challenges. Neither Bello nor Crenn have made extensive public statements regarding the specific reasons for the split, maintaining a level of privacy despite the high-profile nature of their lives.
Maria Bello’s Unconventional Family and Relationship History
Maria Bello has always been an advocate for defining love outside of traditional labels, a philosophy she detailed in her best-selling book. This commitment to fluid relationships is evident in her personal history, which includes both male and female partners.
Before her relationship with Dominique Crenn, Bello was in a long-term relationship with TV executive Dan McDermott. Though they never married, they share a son, Jackson Blue McDermott, who is now 24 years old. Bello has often spoken proudly of her unconventional family structure, emphasizing that love, in any form, is the core of her life.
Her other notable relationships include an engagement to producer Bryn Mooser and a partnership with her best friend, Clare Munn, which she first wrote about in her famous *New York Times* essay. Following her split from Munn, she briefly dated actor Elijah Allan-Blitz.
The actress’s history shows a consistent pattern of prioritizing deep, meaningful connections over societal norms. Her marriage to Dominique Crenn, though brief, was a powerful statement about love and identity. The recent divorce filing in May 2025 closes a significant chapter in her life, but it aligns with her lifelong pursuit of happiness and authenticity, regardless of the labels or expectations imposed by the outside world.
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