The Shocking Truth: 5 Key Facts About Zach Gilford’s Wife, Kiele Sanchez, And Their 2025 Divorce
The landscape of Hollywood power couples has shifted dramatically this year, as of late 2025. After over a decade together, *Friday Night Lights* and *Criminal Minds: Evolution* star Zach Gilford has filed for divorce from his wife, actress Kiele Sanchez, a development that has stunned fans and the entertainment industry alike. This article provides a comprehensive and up-to-the-minute look at Kiele Sanchez, their 12-year marriage, their family life, and the recent, unexpected split.
The news broke in April 2025 that Gilford had officially filed the paperwork to end his marriage to Sanchez, bringing a quiet but long-lasting relationship to a close. The former couple, who famously played an on-screen married couple in the latest iteration of the *Criminal Minds* franchise, will now navigate a new chapter as they focus on co-parenting their two young children.
Kiele Sanchez: A Complete Biography and Career Profile
Kiele Sanchez, known for her versatile roles across television and film, has built a formidable career in her own right. Her professional journey spans over two decades, often featuring her in intense, dramatic, or action-oriented roles.
- Full Name: Kiele Michelle Sanchez
- Born: October 13, 1977
- Age (as of late 2025): 48 years old
- Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: Primarily of French and Puerto Rican descent (her father is of Puerto Rican heritage)
- Height: Approximately 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m)
- Notable TV Roles: Callie Cargill on *The Glades* (2010–2013), Nikki Fernandez on *Lost* (2006–2007), Sharon Voit on *Criminal Minds: Evolution* (2022–2024), Anne Sorelli on *Related* (2005–2006).
- Notable Film Roles: Gina in *A Perfect Getaway* (2009), Liz in *The Purge: Anarchy* (2014).
- Recent Projects: Lenore Usher in Mike Flanagan’s Netflix miniseries *The Fall of the House of Usher* (2023).
1. They Met on a Failed TV Pilot in 2010
The beginning of Zach Gilford and Kiele Sanchez’s relationship is a classic Hollywood 'meet-cute' that happened far away from the bright lights of their most famous projects. The two actors first crossed paths in 2010 while working on the set of a television pilot called *The Matadors*.
Although *The Matadors* pilot was never picked up to series, it proved to be a pivotal moment in both of their lives. They began dating shortly after meeting and quickly became inseparable.
Their whirlwind romance led to an engagement roughly a year later. Gilford proposed to Sanchez in November 2011, and the couple married just over a year later on December 29, 2012, in a private ceremony held in Napa Valley, California.
2. Their Marriage Spanned 12 Years Before the 2025 Divorce Filing
The news of the divorce, which was filed by Zach Gilford in April 2025, marks the end of a 12-year marriage and a 15-year relationship overall.
For over a decade, the couple maintained a relatively low-profile marriage compared to many of their celebrity peers. Zach Gilford, best known for his breakout role as Matt Saracen in *Friday Night Lights*, and Kiele Sanchez, famous for her lead role as Callie Cargill on *The Glades*, often spoke about supporting each other’s careers.
The couple had recently worked together on the Paramount+ revival, *Criminal Minds: Evolution*. Gilford joined the series as the chilling serial killer Elias Voit, while Sanchez played his unsuspecting wife, Sharon Voit. This on-screen pairing added a unique, meta-layer to their real-life partnership, making the subsequent divorce news even more surprising to fans who enjoyed their dynamic on the show.
3. Kiele and Zach Share Two Children, Zeppelin and Revel
A significant part of their life together was the journey to parenthood. After facing personal challenges, including a late-term miscarriage in 2015, the couple welcomed their first child via surrogacy.
Their daughter, Zeppelin Adele Gilford, was born in November 2016. The name Zeppelin was a choice the couple simply loved, while Adele is a tribute to Gilford’s grandmother.
The family grew again when they welcomed a second child, a son named Revel, who was approximately four years old at the time of the 2025 divorce filing.
Gilford has publicly discussed the challenges of balancing a demanding acting career—like his role in *Criminal Minds*—with fatherhood, even revealing he missed Revel's birth due to filming commitments. The divorce proceedings will now focus on the custody and co-parenting of their two young children.
4. Kiele Sanchez is a Seasoned TV Star with a Cult Following
Beyond being known as Zach Gilford's wife, Kiele Sanchez has a dedicated following from her work on several major television series. Her most recognized roles include:
- *The Glades* (2010–2013): She starred as Callie Cargill, a medical student and love interest to the show's lead detective. The A&E drama ran for four seasons and solidified her status as a leading actress.
- *Lost* (2006–2007): Sanchez played the infamous character Nikki Fernandez, a role that was part of the show's controversial 'tail section' storyline. Though her time on the hit series was brief, it remains one of her most memorable performances.
- *The Fall of the House of Usher* (2023): Her recent collaboration with horror director Mike Flanagan showcased her dramatic range as Lenore Usher, a character who became a fan favorite in the Netflix miniseries.
5. The Divorce Filing Confirms a Separation After a Final Collaboration
The timing of the divorce filing in April 2025 suggests that the couple officially separated sometime after their final professional collaboration on *Criminal Minds: Evolution* in 2024.
Their shared storyline on the show, where Zach Gilford played the chilling UnSub Elias Voit and Kiele Sanchez played his oblivious wife Sharon Voit, was a highlight for many viewers. The irony of their fictional marriage dissolving into a brutal criminal plot, followed shortly by the end of their real-life marriage, is a peculiar note in their history.
While the reasons for the split have not been publicly detailed, the end of their marriage after 12 years marks a significant personal and professional change for both Zach Gilford and Kiele Sanchez as they move into their respective next chapters in late 2025.
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