People have wondered about Shannon Elizabeth’s husband since she became famous for playing the foreign exchange student Nadia in American Pie. The answer has changed over the years, and it changed again in 2026, so older articles on this topic are often out of date. This guide covers both of her husbands, how each marriage began and ended, and what is publicly known about her relationship status today.
The Short Answer
Shannon Elizabeth has been married twice. Her first husband was the actor and producer Joseph D. Reitman, and the two married in Mexico in June 2002. Her second husband was Simon Borchert, a South African conservation specialist, whom she married in 2021 and separated from in September 2025. In May 2026, she confirmed that her divorce from Borchert was final, so she has no husband at the time of writing.
A Quick Look at Shannon Elizabeth
Shannon Elizabeth was born Shannon Elizabeth Fadal on September 7, 1973, in Houston, Texas. She grew up in Waco, Texas, and graduated from Waco High School in 1991. Before acting, she worked as a model for Ford and Elite, and her breakout came with the 1999 comedy that made her a household name. Over the years she has also become known as an activist and a poker player, and both of her marriages connect closely to these parts of her life.
First Husband: Joseph D. Reitman
Joseph David Reitman is an American actor, producer, director and writer, born on May 25, 1968, in Brookline, Massachusetts. He studied theatre at Pitzer College in California, and he first gained attention through a recurring role as Kelly Bundy’s boyfriend on Married… with Children. His film work includes The Perfect Storm, Lady in the Water, Clueless and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.
Reitman and Elizabeth were together for years before they married. He began living with her in 1997, and they announced their separation in March 2005. The marriage is usually listed as lasting from 2002 to 2005, although some accounts say it ran until 2006, which likely reflects when the divorce was completed. During the separation, Reitman sought half of the property and assets the couple built up during their eight years together.
The couple also worked together on something lasting. Elizabeth and Reitman founded a non-profit animal rescue group called Animal Avengers, which was later renamed the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation. Reitman is also a poker player, and he has played at the World Series of Poker four times and won a $1 million guaranteed online tournament, a hobby he shared with Elizabeth.
Second Husband: Simon Borchert
Simon Borchert is a conservation activist from Cape Town. Elizabeth has said that he grew up in conservation and that his father is a well-known conservationist. He is described as an NGO executive, conservationist, impact strategist, podcast host and photographer, and he is said to hold a graphic design degree from Stellenbosch University.
The two met in 2015, but their romance came later, and it is commonly said that they did not start dating until 2017. Elizabeth had made Cape Town her home in 2016 so she could focus on wildlife work, and Borchert soon became part of that world. He later took a leading role in her charity, and in 2019 he expanded his duties as CEO of the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation to cover fundraising, partnerships, marketing and production.
Their working life was closely tied to their home life. Elizabeth once explained that the couple lived and worked together from home to save on expenses for the foundation. She described how their happy place was out in the field at a sanctuary, where they camped in tents, helped rangers and cared for a blind black rhino. In April 2025, she even called him her soulmate and said they were mirror images of each other, which makes the later news feel more surprising.
The Divorce Timeline
The end of the marriage became public in April 2026, in a short span of days. Elizabeth filed divorce documents on a Tuesday, and the news broke the next day. That same week, she announced that she was joining OnlyFans, which led many people to link the two events.
Elizabeth pushed back on that idea. She explained that she had been separated since September of the previous year and that it was a thoughtful, ongoing process rather than something sudden. She added that the meaningful pieces were already behind her and only the formalities remained.
About a month later, the process was complete. In a statement about the final divorce, she said letting go can feel exhilarating and that closing one chapter makes room for a new one. She also said her future would combine entertainment, digital content and the work of the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation, which she said will always be closest to her heart. The length of the marriage is described differently in different places, with some saying five years of marriage and others counting six years together, because one number counts the wedding and the other counts the relationship.
Is Shannon Elizabeth Married Now?
As of the latest information available, Shannon Elizabeth is not married. Her divorce from Simon Borchert was confirmed in May 2026, and her statements at that time focused on her career and her foundation instead of a new relationship. Celebrity news moves quickly, so it is worth checking a recent update if you need to know her situation on a specific date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shannon Elizabeth’s current husband?
She does not have one. Her second marriage, to Simon Borchert, ended with a finalized divorce in May 2026.
Who was Shannon Elizabeth’s first husband?
Her first husband was Joseph D. Reitman, an actor, producer and writer. They married in 2002 and separated in 2005.
Where is Simon Borchert from?
He comes from Cape Town, South Africa, and works in conservation and nonprofit leadership.
Did Shannon Elizabeth have children with either husband?
No children from either marriage have been publicly mentioned.
Are the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation and Animal Avengers the same group?
Yes. Animal Avengers was the original name, and the organization was later renamed after her.
Final Thoughts
Shannon Elizabeth’s marriages show a clear pattern. Both husbands shared her interests, and both were tied to her animal welfare work, first through the founding of Animal Avengers with Reitman and later through the foundation’s growth alongside Borchert. As of mid-2026, she is single and focused on her work.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is based on publicly available information at the time of writing (September 2026). Details about the personal lives of public figures can change, and dates and timelines are sometimes described differently in different places. This article has no affiliation with Shannon Elizabeth, Joseph D. Reitman, Simon Borchert or the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation. Please check official statements for the latest updates.
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If you are interested in reading about other notable figures and their personal lives, you may also want to check out our profile on Melanie Lynn Clapp.
Written by Hassan, founder and editor of NTX Magazine — an independent news and biography publication. Every article is researched and cross-checked against multiple public sources before publishing; see our Sourcing Standards page for details.
