Harrison Ford, the enduring Hollywood legend, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) Awards on March 1. During his speech, the actor reflected on the support that has defined his career, while his personal life, including his marriage to Harrison Ford first wife Mary Marquardt, remains an intriguing aspect of his story.
Recognition and Gratitude in Harrison Ford’s Career
At 83 years old, Ford used the ceremony to acknowledge the key figures who contributed to his success, such as George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. He expressed heartfelt thanks for his early break as Han Solo in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. Beyond the industry veterans, Ford also praised his family, including his current wife, actress Calista Flockhart, who attended the event.
“My career is built on [actors’] work as well as the work of writers, directors and every single cast member, every crew member I’ve ever been on a set with.”
— Harrison Ford, actor
“I’m indeed a lucky guy. Lucky to have found my people. Lucky to have work that challenges me. Lucky to still be doing it. And I don’t take that for granted. Thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart to my peers, to my extraordinary, beautiful wife, Calista, and my family for giving me love and courage through all of it.”
— Harrison Ford, actor
Ford concluded his acceptance acknowledging the challenges of the acting profession and expressing gratitude for the privilege to continue performing.
“I’ve had incredible collaborators every step of the way, and being able to deliver the work we create together to an audience is an honor and a privilege, and because of that privilege, I’ve come to know myself. Ours is a tough business to get into. In my case, it’s been a tough business to get out of — thank God, because I love what I do,”
— Harrison Ford, actor
Origins of Harrison Ford’s First Marriage
Ford’s first significant relationship was with Mary Marquardt, a former professional chef, whom he met as a student at Ripon College in Wisconsin. The two dated for over four years before marrying in 1964, laying the foundation for Ford’s early family life. Together, they had two sons: Benjamin, born in 1966, and Willard, born in 1969.
Benjamin followed a culinary path, owning Ford’s Filling Station, a popular gastropub located in Terminal 5 of Los Angeles International Airport, and authoring a cookbook titled Taming the Feast. Willard chose a different career and is known as a businessman running Los Angeles-based Ludwig Clothing Company, with a history in managing Strong Sports Gym and Kim Sing Theater. Both sons have established their own families, each married with two children.
Challenges and Controversies in Early Marriage
After 15 years of marriage, Ford and Marquardt divorced in 1979. The reasons for their split were kept private at the time. However, a revelation surfaced years later when actress and writer Carrie Fisher, who starred alongside Ford in Star Wars, alleged a brief affair with him in her 2016 memoir Princess Diarist. The reported three-month relationship occurred in 1977 while Ford was still married to Marquardt.
In a 2017 interview with GQ, Ford described learning about the mention in Fisher’s memoir as “strange,” saying he was only “warned… to a degree” about it. He chose neither to confirm nor deny the affair, leaving the matter ambiguous publicly.
Mary Marquardt’s Background and Later Life
Little detailed information is available about Harrison Ford’s first wife beyond her early life. Born in 1945 to John William Ford and Dorothy Nidelman, Mary graduated from Ripon College in 1967 with a degree in liberal arts. In addition to her culinary career, she practiced as an illustrator. Health issues, including sclerosis, led to her retirement in 2001.
Subsequent Relationships and Family Dynamics
Following his divorce from Marquardt, Ford married Melissa Mathison, a screenwriter, production assistant, and activist, in 1983. Their marriage lasted until their separation in 2000, with the divorce finalized in 2004. They had two children together: Malcolm, born 38 years ago, and Georgia, 35 years old.
In June 2010, Harrison Ford wed Calista Flockhart, his current wife who is 22 years his junior. Flockhart had previously adopted her son Liam, now 24, whom Ford later adopted as well. Reflecting on his role as a father across his five children, Ford admitted in a May 2023 Esquire interview that his success often kept him away from fully embracing parenthood.
“If I’d been less successful, I’d probably be a better parent. Certainly, the more constant gardener is the better parent.”
— Harrison Ford, actor
He acknowledged being frequently absent due to work commitments and described himself as often preoccupied, affecting his engagement with family.
Continuing Legacy and Recent Work
Harrison Ford remains active in the entertainment industry, with his latest role appearing in the 2025 Marvel Cinematic Universe film Captain America: Brave New World. His career longevity and private life, including the untold aspects of his first marriage, continue to fascinate fans and film historians alike, contributing to his status as a cultural icon.
harrison ford and calista flockhart attend 32nd annual sag-aftra actor awards at shrine auditorium and expo hall in los angeles, california (2026)
📸: sagaftra | ig pic.twitter.com/Qqe8RadBSO
— harrison ford archive (@hfordlovebot) March 2, 2026
June 1977: American actor Harrison Ford and wife, Mary Marquardt, walking in New York City. Filmmaker George Lucas and wife, Marcia, walk behind them. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/0PBQdYLYJP
— 𝓛𝓸𝓻𝓲 𝓐𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓪 ♡☆❀ (@LorelinaBeauty) February 10, 2025
