Maintaining a level of privacy in her personal life, Kate Winslet occasionally shares glimpses of her joyful marriage to Edward Abel Smith. The actress, best known for her role in Avatar: The Way of Water, first encountered Edward, her husband of over a decade, during an extraordinary holiday on Richard Branson’s Necker Island. Together, they lead a serene life away from the public eye in Sussex, where they are parents to a child.
Edward, who is the nephew of Virgin founder Richard Branson and works for Virgin Galactic, initially went by the name Ned Rocknroll. As Kate revealed in a 2021 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the public attention following his marriage to her prompted him to revert to a less conspicuous name.
Kate Winslet shares glimpses of her happy marriage to Edward Abel Smith, who reverted to his original name for privacy reasons
Reflecting on his decision to change his name, Kate humorously remarked that he hadn’t anticipated the impact of his choice, given her own celebrity status. She noted that practical considerations, like filling out forms, eventually led to his decision to return to his original name.
Their first meeting in 2011 was marked by an unexpected twist. Both Kate and Edward were at Branson’s $70 million estate when a lightning strike during Hurricane Irene ignited a severe fire. Kate played a heroic role by rescuing Branson’s elderly mother, which likely cemented Edward’s admiration for her.
Kate recounted their initial meeting with a touch of humor, noting how their lives changed drastically after that dramatic event. She mentioned that even years later, they sometimes reflect on items lost in the fire, highlighting the lasting impact of that day.
Their marriage, which began in a highly private ceremony in New York in 2012, has been marked by Kate’s appreciation for the support and balance Edward brings into her life. In a 2015 interview, she praised the positive influence he has had on her creative endeavors.
Having been married to Edward for over ten years, Kate continues to speak fondly of their relationship. Her previous marriages were to assistant director Jim Threapleton and director Sam Mendes, both of which ended in divorce. Kate has addressed the public’s curiosity about her past marriages with a firm stance, valuing her privacy.
Together with Edward, Kate has a son named Bear Blaze Winslet, born in 2013. She revealed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that Bear’s name holds personal significance, linking it to a meaningful figure in her life and their dramatic first meeting.
Kate also has two older children from her previous marriages: Mia Honey Threapleton and Joe Alfie Winslet Mendes. Both are following in their family’s creative footsteps, with Mia pursuing acting and Joe exploring music.
