Born and raised in California, Michelle Pfeiffer has always exuded a graceful mix of elegance and humility. Despite her stardom, she has maintained a grounded and private persona, once admitting, “It’s so hard for me to put myself out there.”
Before meeting Kelley, Michelle experienced her first marriage to actor and director Peter Horton, known for Thirtysomething. They wed in 1981 when she was still young, a union that ended in 1988. Reflecting on that time, Michelle admitted, “I married Peter at a very young age. I’m not the same person I was then.”
Interestingly, Michelle went years without telling her children about her first marriage. When she eventually brought it up, their reaction was priceless: “They were like, ‘Wait, what?!’”
The Blind Date That Changed Everything
Michelle’s love story with David Kelley began in the most unexpected way—through a blind date set up by her best friend. Initially hesitant due to past experiences, she reluctantly agreed but suggested a casual group outing: a bowling party.
The setup didn’t go as planned. During dinner, Michelle found herself seated across from David’s best friend, while David spent much of the evening chatting with her sister, whom Michelle described as “charming and social.” Amused by their chemistry, she even suggested her friend pair her sister with David. Her friend, however, confidently replied, “I’m sitting across from your next husband.”
Ironically, Michelle and David barely spoke that night, and he left early for another engagement. However, two days later, David called her, and their one-hour conversation marked the start of a beautiful relationship.
Building a Family Together
Their connection deepened quickly. When Michelle and David met, she was in the process of adopting her daughter, Claudia. Just two months into their relationship, Claudia joined the family, giving Michelle a chance to see David’s character in action.
“I really got to see him in a situation that certainly would separate the boys from the men,” she recalled, praising how David stepped up to the challenge.
The couple tied the knot in November 1993, and David officially adopted Claudia the same year. Their family grew again in August 1994, when they welcomed their son, John. Michelle often speaks fondly of the close bond between Claudia and John, who are not just siblings but also lifelong friends.
