California Governor Gavin Newsom was once married to Kimberly Guilfoyle, an attorney, former television host and current United States ambassador to Greece. Their relationship began before either became a nationally recognized political personality, and for a brief period they were presented as one of San Francisco’s most promising power couples.
Newsom and Guilfoyle married in 2001 and separated several years later as their careers took them to opposite sides of the country. Since their divorce, they have followed sharply different political paths. Newsom became a leading Democrat, while Guilfoyle developed close ties to Donald Trump and the Republican movement surrounding him.
Who Is Kimberly?
Kimberly Guilfoyle is a lawyer, former prosecutor, television personality and diplomat.
She studied law at the University of San Francisco and worked as a prosecutor in both Los Angeles and San Francisco. Her courtroom background eventually helped her move into television, where she became known for discussing legal cases and political issues.
Guilfoyle later spent several years at Fox News and became a prominent conservative media figure. Her career eventually expanded into political fundraising, campaigning and public speaking.
In November 2025, she officially began serving as the United States ambassador to Greece after receiving Senate confirmation in September. She became the first woman to hold that diplomatic position. (U.S. Embassy in Greece)
Their Wedding
Gavin Newsom and Kimberly Guilfoyle married in December 2001 at Saint Ignatius Catholic Church in San Francisco.
At the time, Newsom was building his political career in city government, while Guilfoyle was working as a prosecutor. Their combination of politics, law and public visibility attracted considerable media interest.
When Newsom became mayor of San Francisco in January 2004, Guilfoyle served as the city’s first lady. She attended civic events and appeared alongside her husband during the early period of his administration.
A 2004 magazine profile famously presented them as a modern political power couple. The comparison reflected their polished public image, shared ambition and growing national visibility rather than any formal connection to another political family.
Public Image
Newsom and Guilfoyle appeared well matched during the first years of their marriage.
Both were confident public speakers, comfortable in front of cameras and interested in high-profile careers. Newsom was focused on governing San Francisco, while Guilfoyle was beginning to explore opportunities beyond courtroom work.
However, their professional ambitions eventually placed them in different cities. Guilfoyle moved to New York to develop her television career, while Newsom remained in California to carry out his duties as mayor.
The distance became increasingly difficult to manage.
The Separation
Newsom and Guilfoyle jointly filed for divorce in January 2005.
In their public statement, they pointed to the pressure created by careers on opposite coasts. Their filing described the separation as a mutual decision rather than the result of a highly public personal dispute.
Newsom’s responsibilities required him to remain in San Francisco, while Guilfoyle’s television work was increasingly centered in New York. Maintaining a marriage across that distance proved challenging.
Their divorce was finalized on February 28, 2006, bringing their marriage of just over four years to a legal conclusion. (Yahoo)
No Children
Gavin Newsom and Kimberly Guilfoyle did not have children together.
After their separation, both eventually entered new relationships and built separate personal lives. Their former marriage continued to receive attention largely because their political identities became increasingly different over time.
What had once been seen as a marriage between two ambitious San Francisco professionals later became an unusual connection between leading figures associated with opposing political movements.
Political Shift
Guilfoyle’s public political identity changed substantially after her years in San Francisco.
She became a leading personality at Fox News and later aligned herself closely with Donald Trump’s political organization. She worked as a fundraiser and campaign figure while becoming one of the most recognizable media supporters of the Trump movement.
Guilfoyle was also in a long-term relationship with Donald Trump Jr. Their engagement later ended, and she moved into a new public chapter through her diplomatic appointment.
Her role as ambassador to Greece represents a major shift from television commentary and campaign politics to formal international diplomacy. She presented her credentials in Athens in November 2025 and began working on American relations with Greece, including cooperation involving energy and security. (AP News)
Newsom’s Career
Gavin Newsom remained in California politics after the divorce.
He served as mayor of San Francisco until 2011 and then spent eight years as California’s lieutenant governor. He became governor in January 2019 and continues to hold that office in 2026. (Governor of California)
As a Democrat, Newsom has frequently taken positions that differ sharply from those supported by Guilfoyle and her political allies. Their contrasting careers have made their former marriage a recurring subject whenever either appears in major political news.
Although they were once publicly friendly following the separation, reports have indicated that their communication became more limited as their political divisions grew.
His Current Wife
Newsom began dating filmmaker Jennifer Siebel after his marriage to Guilfoyle ended.
Newsom and Siebel married in July 2008 and have four children. She is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and serves as the first partner of California.
Her public work focuses on gender equality, family support, children’s well-being and economic opportunity. Through state initiatives, she has promoted programs related to healthy development, education and representation. (Governor of California)
The couple continues to appear together at official events and remains active in California public life.
Separate Lives
Gavin Newsom and Kimberly Guilfoyle now occupy very different positions in American public affairs.
Newsom remains a prominent Democratic governor and a frequent critic of President Donald Trump. Guilfoyle, meanwhile, serves in the Trump administration as the American ambassador to Greece.
Their marriage lasted from 2001 until 2006, covering the period when Newsom rose to lead San Francisco and Guilfoyle began moving from legal work into national television.
Today, their relationship is mainly remembered as an early chapter in two careers that eventually moved in opposite political directions. Both have built new personal lives and continued pursuing influential public roles long after their separation.
