Josh Duhamel Marries Former Miss North Dakota Audra Mari

The couple welcomed their first child, son Shepherd, in 2024

Mar. 3, 2026 at 7:09pm

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Actor Josh Duhamel married former pageant queen Audra Mari in September 2022 in Fargo, North Dakota. The couple met via social media and got engaged in 2022 after roughly three years of dating. In January 2024, they welcomed their first child together, son Shepherd Lawrence. Duhamel is also a dad to son Axl from his previous marriage to singer Fergie.

Why it matters

The marriage of Josh Duhamel, a well-known actor, to Audra Mari, a former Miss North Dakota USA, is a high-profile celebrity relationship that has garnered significant public interest. Their story of meeting online, getting engaged, and starting a family together resonates with many readers and showcases the evolving nature of modern relationships.

The details

Duhamel and Mari first connected on social media after Mari had won several pageant titles, including Miss North Dakota USA in 2014 and Miss World America in 2016. The couple began dating and got engaged in January 2022 when Duhamel proposed to Mari on a beach with a message in a bottle. They tied the knot in September 2022 in Fargo, North Dakota. In January 2024, they welcomed their first child together, son Shepherd Lawrence. Duhamel is also a father to son Axl from his previous marriage to singer Fergie.

  • Duhamel and Mari met via social media in the early 2020s.
  • Duhamel proposed to Mari in January 2022.
  • Duhamel and Mari got married in September 2022 in Fargo, North Dakota.
  • Duhamel and Mari welcomed their first child, son Shepherd Lawrence, in January 2024.

The players

Josh Duhamel

An American actor known for his roles in films such as Transformers and Ransom Canyon.

Audra Mari

A former Miss North Dakota USA and Miss World America who is now married to Josh Duhamel.

Fergie

Duhamel's ex-wife, with whom he shares a son named Axl.

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What they’re saying

“She's a very sweet girl. Very similar interests — we're from North Dakota. We love lake life. She's got a cabin not far from mine. We just match. She's an amazing person.”

— Josh Duhamel

“What an amazing mommy you are to our baby Shepherd, and Axl couldn't ask for a better stepmother. We're beyond blessed to have you in our lives.”

— Josh Duhamel

What’s next

The couple continues to split their time between Los Angeles, New Mexico (where Duhamel films Ransom Canyon), and their remote cabin in the Minnesota woods, where they enjoy spending quality time with their family.

The takeaway

Josh Duhamel and Audra Mari's relationship demonstrates that modern celebrity romances can blossom through online connections and evolve into lasting partnerships, even with significant age gaps. Their story of finding love, starting a family, and balancing high-profile careers with a remote cabin lifestyle resonates with many readers seeking inspiration and hope in their own relationships.