Chris Pratt has clarified the real story behind how he met Katherine Schwarzenegger, debunking long-standing rumors and sharing that his faith played a central role. Discussing Chris Pratt meeting Katherine Schwarzenegger during a Tuesday appearance on FOX News’ FOX & Friends with Steve Doocy, Pratt offered personal details about their first encounter and the family they have since built together.
Chris Pratt Addresses Rumors About His Relationship’s Beginning
Chris Pratt, age 46, corrected a widely held belief regarding the start of his relationship with Katherine Schwarzenegger, age 35. Contrary to speculation that Maria Shriver had introduced the couple, Pratt shared that this was not the case. Instead, he described their meeting as entirely organic and not orchestrated by family members. Pratt recounted his version of events publicly to clarify misconceptions, emphasizing his desire to set the record straight for fans and the media alike.
Pratt recalled,
Let’s settle it now. I met my wife in church. I was at a church in Hollywood, and I looked over and I saw her,
Chris Pratt, Actor. He continued with,
And I know you’re not supposed to be, like, checking out girls at church, but I’m only human. And I thought, ‘Wow, she’s really cute.’
Chris Pratt, Actor.
A Chance Encounter at Church Involving Family
When Pratt first encountered Schwarzenegger, he was attending a church service in Hollywood accompanied by his eldest son, Jack, who is now 13. Jack is Pratt’s son from his previous marriage to Anna Faris, who is 49. The couple’s divorce was finalized in 2018 after a separation the previous year. Pratt noted the meaningful way in which Jack was present for this pivotal moment in his life, reinforcing the significance of family connections from the outset.
Pratt explained,
I was there with my son Jack, and I picked him up from the kids program and Jack and I met Katherine basically at the same time,
Chris Pratt, Actor. He then summed up the introduction with,
And, yes, the rest is history.
Chris Pratt, Actor.
The Schwarzenegger-Pratt Family: Marriage and Children
After meeting at church, Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger married in 2019 at a private ceremony in Montecito, California, surrounded by close friends and family. Their family has since grown with the birth of their first daughter, Lyla Maria, who is now five years old and was born in August 2020. Their second daughter, Eloise Christina, was born in May 2022 and is now three. Their youngest child, Ford Fitzgerald, was born in November 2024 and is currently 13 months old. The family prioritizes spending time together and celebrating milestones, maintaining a close-knit dynamic amid Pratt’s high-profile career.
Fame, Children, and Everyday Life
The Jurassic World star also addressed questions about whether his children have watched his movies or realize the extent of his celebrity status. Pratt said his youngest children—Lyla Maria, Eloise Christina, and Ford Fitzgerald—are not yet fully aware of his fame or professional work, while Jack has seen most of his projects.
Steve Doocy asked if Pratt’s children understood that their father is widely recognized. Pratt replied,
No, I will at some point, when the time is right. … I got a 1-year-old, a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old,
Chris Pratt, Actor, indicating that he has yet to introduce the younger children to much of his career. He continued with,
Now, Jack, who’s 13, has seen everything, but my three youngest have yet to really get into that, which is interesting, because we were at a coffee shop the other day and we were in Malibu, and these young ladies from the Pepperdine volleyball team were like, ‘Hey, do you think we could get a picture?’ And I was like, ‘Hey,’ –- I was with my girls — I was like, you know, ‘I don’t really do that when I’m with them because they don’t know what I do and they don’t know what this is, but what’s your name?’
Chris Pratt, Actor.
Pratt described the encounter further,
It was so nice and I didn’t — and we had an interaction,
Chris Pratt, Actor. He added,
They were looking at me like, ‘Why do those people want to take a picture with you?’ I was like, ‘I don’t know. I think they’re crazy.’
Chris Pratt, Actor. These anecdotes illustrate how Pratt strives to keep his family life separate from the pressures and attention of fame, fostering normalcy for his children despite his public profile.
Faith and Family Traditions in the Holiday Season
As the holiday season approaches, Pratt shared that his family is embracing faith-based traditions, including an advent prayer challenge at home with his wife and children. He acknowledged that while they enjoy the holidays, the season can also bring stress and the need for grounding practices.
Pratt stated,
Obviously, the holidays are fantastic, everyone loves all the holidays and Christmas but it’s pretty stressful,
Chris Pratt, Actor. He described the family tradition,
And so the idea is through the course of December, you find just a prayer challenge to pray every day, find a space in your life. It’s, you know, less than 10 minutes a day on the [Hallow] app to really just center yourself.
Chris Pratt, Actor. By integrating prayer and reflection, the Schwarzenegger-Pratt family emphasizes spiritual connection alongside festivities and togetherness.
The Broader Impact of Their Story
Chris Pratt’s candid discussion of Chris Pratt meeting Katherine Schwarzenegger provides insight into the authentic and faith-driven foundation of their relationship. By correcting rumors and highlighting the genuine way they connected at church in Hollywood, Pratt draws attention to the central importance of family and tradition in his life. Mentioning key figures such as Jack, Anna Faris, Maria Shriver, and his children Lyla Maria, Eloise Christina, and Ford Fitzgerald, Pratt reveals the intricate and connected nature of his family unit. As the couple continues to nurture their family and embrace meaningful holiday traditions, their story underscores how personal faith and intentional choices shape both private and public life for those in the spotlight, offering a relatable narrative amid ongoing public curiosity.
