What Happened to Bert Girigorie? Wendy Williams’ First Husband Today

When the world talks about Wendy Williams, the conversation usually revolves around her groundbreaking radio career, her television reign, or her highly publicized turbulent marriage to Kevin Hunter. 

But before the “Hot Topics” and the purple chair, there was a different chapter in the media mogul’s life, one that involved a quiet, business-minded marketing executive named Bert Girigorie.

For decades, Girigorie has remained a footnote in pop culture history, often reduced to “the first husband.” However, with the release of the revealing Lifetime documentary Where Is Wendy Williams? and ongoing updates regarding Williams’ health battles in 2024 and 2025, public interest has shifted back to the men who shaped her early life.

Who is Bert Girigorie really? Is he just a character in a biopic, or a successful entrepreneur in his own right?

Quick Bio: Bert Girigorie

For a snapshot of the man behind the headlines, see the verified details below.

Early Life and Educational Foundation

Born on March 13, 1964, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Bert Girigorie’s early life was defined by a structured, middle-class upbringing rather than the chaos of the entertainment industry. While details of his parents remain private, it is known that he was raised in a household that prioritized education and professional discipline.

Girigorie attended the Williston Northampton School, a college preparatory school that set the stage for his academic future. He later enrolled at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Morehouse, a historically black men’s liberal arts college, is renowned for producing leaders in business and civil rights. 

During his time there, Girigorie became a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, an organization known for its commitment to community service and brotherhood.

This educational background provided the sales and communication skills that would eventually lead him to the competitive world of New York media and eventually, into the path of a rising radio star.

Career Beginnings: The Road to Radio

Before he was a marketing entrepreneur, Bert Girigorie cut his teeth in the high-pressure environment of New York City radio sales. In the early 1990s, he worked as an Account Executive at Kiss FM (WRKS-FM).

At the time, Kiss FM was a cultural juggernaut in New York. Working as an account executive required a specific skillset:

• Relationship Building: Managing high-profile advertising clients.
• Strategic Negotiation: Selling airtime in one of the world’s most expensive media markets.
• Trend Analysis: Understanding what listeners wanted before the competition did.

It was this role that placed him in the same orbit as the on-air talent. While the DJs were the voices of the station, executives like Girigorie were the engine keeping the business running. This distinction between talent vs. business would become a defining theme in his relationship with Wendy Williams.

How did Bert Girigorie and Wendy Williams meet?

The meeting of Bert Girigorie and Wendy Williams is a classic workplace romance turned sour. They met at Kiss FM in the early 90s. At the time, Williams was already making waves as a shock jock, known for her unfiltered opinions and rising celebrity status. Girigorie, by contrast, was the buttoned-up sales executive.

Their courtship was relatively traditional. They dated for approximately two years, a period Girigorie has described as generally fun and stable. However, the dynamic shifted drastically once legal vows were exchanged.

The Marriage and Swift Divorce (1994-1995)

The couple married in 1994. By all accounts, the union began to crumble almost immediately. They separated after roughly five months, with the divorce finalized in 1995.

In a rare 2019 interview with RadarOnline, Girigorie opened up about the confusion he felt during those months. He noted that Williams’ behavior changed overnight, describing it as “bizarre.”

“She just turned into a different person. I don’t know what was going on… The relationship became very strained.” — Bert Girigorie via RadarOnline

While Williams later admitted to struggling with substance abuse issues during this era (specifically cocaine use), Girigorie has stated he was largely unaware of the severity of her addiction at the time, viewing her behavior as a personality shift rather than a substance-induced crisis.

Founding G2 Marketing Inc.

Following the divorce, Girigorie made a decisive move: he left the New York media circle. He returned to his roots in Charlotte, North Carolina, and transitioned from employee to entrepreneur.

In 2010, he founded G2 Marketing Inc., a digital marketing and sales strategy agency. This move allowed him to leverage his decades of sales experience on his own terms.

What does G2 Marketing Do?

Unlike the celebrity-focused world he left behind, G2 Marketing focuses on practical business growth for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Core Services of G2 Marketing:

• Digital Strategy: Helping traditional businesses transition to online platforms.
• Sales Optimization: Consulting on how to convert leads into revenue.
• Brand Visibility: improving local SEO and market presence for Charlotte-based companies.

By focusing on B2B (business-to-business) services, Girigorie insulated himself from the B2C (business-to-consumer) scrutiny that follows entertainment figures.

Later Life and Net Worth in 2026

As of 2026, Bert Girigorie continues to reside in Charlotte, North Carolina. He has successfully avoided the “reality TV curse” by refusing to engage in public feuds or sell his story to tabloids repeatedly. 

He has no public record of remarriage, though he maintains a private personal life that may simply not be documented by the media.

Estimated Net Worth Breakdown

Financial analysts and online aggregators estimate Bert Girigorie’s net worth to be approximately $3 million as of 2026.

Note: Net worth figures are estimates based on comparable executive salaries and business revenue in the region.

Public Image vs. Media Narrative

The contrast between Wendy Williams’ two ex-husbands is stark. Kevin Hunter, her second husband, was heavily involved in her career, credited as an executive producer, and was at the center of the cheating scandal that ended their marriage.

Bert Girigorie, however, represents the “road not taken.” His public image is that of a professional who had a brief brush with fame but chose stability instead. 

He does not utilize his connection to Williams for clout on social media, and his Twitter presence (@BertGirigorie) remains professional, focusing on marketing insights rather than gossip.

Conclusion

Today, he is defined not by a five-month marriage in 1994, but by a 30-year career in sales and marketing. For entrepreneurs and professionals, Girigorie serves as a reminder that privacy is a luxury, and professional success is the best revenge against tabloid gossip. 

As Wendy Williams continues her health battles under the public microscope, Girigorie’s quiet life in Charlotte stands as a peaceful counterpoint.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is Bert Girigorie featured in the “Where Is Wendy Williams?” documentary?
Bert Girigorie is mentioned in the context of Wendy’s past, and archival photos are used, but he does not appear as a primary interview subject in the 2024 Lifetime documentary.

Did Bert Girigorie and Wendy Williams have children?
No, Bert and Wendy did not have any children together during their marriage. Wendy’s son, Kevin Hunter Jr., is from her second marriage.

What does Bert Girigorie do for a living in 2026?
He is the President and Founder of G2 Marketing Inc., a digital agency based in Charlotte, NC, that helps businesses with sales strategy and online branding.

Why did Bert Girigorie and Wendy Williams divorce?
Girigorie cited “bizarre” behavior and a change in Wendy’s personality as the primary reasons. The marriage was strained by lifestyle differences and, as later revealed by Wendy, her substance abuse issues at the time.

How long were they married?
They were married for approximately five months in 1994, though the divorce was not finalized until 1995.

What is Bert Girigorie’s ethnicity?
Bert Girigorie is African American.

Does Bert Girigorie have social media?
He has a Twitter account (@BertGirigorie), but he is not an active influencer. He keeps his social media presence professional and sparse.

Has Bert Girigorie remarried?
There is no public record or confirmation of Bert Girigorie remarrying. He keeps his current romantic life completely out of the public eye.

Did Bert Girigorie write a book about Wendy?
No. Unlike many celebrity exes, Girigorie has never written a tell-all book. His comments have been limited to a few rare interviews.

Where did Bert Girigorie go to college?
He attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, a prestigious HBCU.