Everything To Know About George R.R. Martin’s Wife, Parris McBride
Learn all about Parris McBride, the private, philanthropic wife of Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin, from her roots to her key role in his life.
Everything You Need to Know About Parris McBride, George R.R. Martin’s Wife
While George R.R. Martin is world-renowned for creating the epic A Song of Ice and Fire series—which inspired HBO’s Game of Thrones—little is publicly known about his life away from the spotlight. At the heart of his personal story is Parris McBride, Martin’s long-term partner and wife. Join us as we unveil her background, the quirky trajectory of their relationship, and her distinctive influence on Martin’s life and legacy.
Table of Contents
- Who is Parris McBride?
- Early Life and Roots in Oregon
- Meeting George R.R. Martin
- A Decades-Long Courtship
- Their Wedding Ceremonies
- What Does Parris Do?
- Charity and Philanthropy
- Animal Rights and the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary
- Personal Life: Home, Family and Passions
- Parris’s Role as a Game of Thrones Fan
- Little-Known Facts About Parris McBride
- Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Parris McBride?
Parris McBride is an American blogger, philanthropist, and passionate animal rights advocate. While she is mostly recognized for being the wife of George R.R. Martin, she has built her own identity steeped in activism and quiet influence. Parris maintains a relatively low public profile, preferring intimate community involvement and her personal blog over media attention.
Early Life and Roots in Oregon
Born on July 22, 1951, in Portland, Oregon, Parris grew up during a period of cultural revolution. Known for her ‘free spirit’ leanings, she embraced the 1960s hippy lifestyle and professed a lifelong fascination with J.R.R. Tolkien and the fantastical world of The Lord of the Rings.
Parris’s early adulthood was spent in various cities before she eventually returned to her hometown. There, she found work in local restaurants, including the noted Old Wives Tales restaurant and Sambo’s Restaurant, reflecting her strong work ethic and independence before discovering her passion for writing and activism.
Meeting George R.R. Martin: A Chance Encounter
The couple’s first meeting set the stage for a decades-spanning romance. At the Kubla Khan Sci-Fi convention in Nashville in 1975, fate brought Martin and McBride together. Their first interaction was brief: George, then engaged to someone else, said he was immediately drawn to Parris as she entered a sauna filled with friends and writers.
Though the pair were interested in different parties at the time, their initial connection laid a foundation for future friendship that would eventually blossom into romance.
A Decades-Long Courtship
The path to matrimony was anything but typical for George and Parris. Four years after their first meeting, Martin’s earlier marriage ended in divorce. The two reconnected, and after an extended period as friends, their relationship deepened. What followed was a long-distance courtship lasting several years.
Ultimately, Parris moved in with Martin around 1981 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The couple chose not to rush into marriage, living together as partners for over three decades—defying conventional expectations and building a unique life together before eventually marrying.
Their Wedding Ceremonies
After more than thirty years as a couple, George R.R. Martin and Parris McBride decided to make it official. On February 15, 2011, they wed in an intimate ceremony at their Santa Fe home.
A few months later, on August 19, 2011, the couple hosted a larger, more public celebration at the Renovation, the 69th World Science Fiction Convention in Reno, Nevada. This event allowed them to share their joy with the broader sci-fi and fantasy community, among friends, peers, and fans.
What Does Parris Do? Blogging, Activism, and More
Outside her identity as Martin’s wife, Parris McBride is a dedicated blogger who maintains a live journal about her life. Her blog is a mix of reflections, advocacy, and personal stories.
Her deep sense of social responsibility extends beyond blogging. Parris is recognized for her tireless humanitarian and philanthropic work, especially in animal welfare, artistic patronage, and educational causes:
- Blogger: Maintains a personal journal chronicling her life and interests.
- Philanthropist: Focuses on charities supporting animal welfare, arts, and writing scholarships.
- Animal Rights Advocate: Tireless supporter of animal rescue and welfare organizations.
Charity and Philanthropy: A Lifetime of Giving Back
Parris is known not just for her activism but also for her insistence on aligning life’s celebrations with charitable giving. When she and George married, they requested donations to animal welfare charities in lieu of gifts.
Some of her key philanthropic contributions include:
- Encouraging friends and fans to donate to animal charities instead of buying wedding presents.
- Working with the Pearl Foundation to raise money for writing scholarships (notably in 2013).
- A pledging of $2.7 million in 2015 to Meow Wolf, a Santa Fe–based arts collective known for interactive art installations.
Animal Rights and the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary
One of the pillars of Parris’s activism is her lifelong commitment to animal welfare:
- Involvement with the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary in New Mexico, a facility devoted to the rescue and rehabilitation of wolves and wolf-dogs displaced by the exotic pet trade.
- Consistent financial and volunteer support for the sanctuary since the 1990s. Both George and Parris have lent their celebrity and resources to raise awareness of the sanctuary’s mission.
Her work in this area underlines her longstanding love for animals and her belief in using her voice and resources to champion their causes.
Personal Life: Home, Family, and Passions
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Residence | Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| Children | None (consider their cat, Mulligan, as “family”) |
| Notable Hobbies | Reading, blogging, animal rescue, supporting the arts |
| Shared Interests | Love for science fiction/fantasy culture and conventions |
The couple’s home life is described as cozy and filled with books, pets, and shared creative passions. Their cat, Mulligan, holds a particularly special place in their hearts and is often referred to humorously as their “firstborn.”
Parris’s Role as a Game of Thrones Fan
Parris is more than just a casual fan of Game of Thrones. With a deep affection for George’s work and the world he built, she has both inspired and influenced his creative process:
- Adoration of Arya Stark: Arya, the feisty youngest Stark, is Parris’s favorite character in both the books and television series.
- A Writer’s Promise: Parris once extracted a vow from George that he would never kill off Arya Stark, a promise he has, reportedly, kept (as of this writing).
- Pets in Westeros: Martin named a series character after their beloved cat, Mulligan—affectionately dubbed “Ser Mulligan.”
Her love of stories dates back to her devotion to Tolkien’s Middle-earth, which she has matched with a collection of both books and films.
Little-Known Facts About Parris McBride
- Distinctive Style: Parris is noted for her red hair and gray-blue eyes, often described as vibrant and striking.
- Private by Choice: While being part of a high-profile couple, Parris prefers a background role, only occasionally accompanying George at major literary or charitable events.
- Devoted Friend: Her earliest years were filled with friendships, activism, and literary pursuits, including a legendary collection of Tolkien memorabilia.
- Strong Principles: Parris’s consistent philanthropic vision focuses on community empowerment, creativity, and animal rights.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How long were George R.R. Martin and Parris McBride together before marrying?
A: They were together for over thirty years before marrying in 2011, having met in 1975 but only tying the knot three decades later.
Q: Where is Parris McBride originally from, and how did her upbringing influence her?
A: She grew up in Portland, Oregon, as a self-professed hippy with a passion for fantasy literature, notably Tolkien, which continues to influence her worldview and activism.
Q: What causes does Parris McBride support?
A: She is deeply engaged in animal rights advocacy, arts funding (notably through Meow Wolf), and educational scholarships for writers, prioritizing charitable giving over personal gifts.
Q: Does Parris McBride have children?
A: No, the couple does not have biological children, but consider their pet cat, Mulligan, an honorary family member.
Q: Has Parris McBride influenced George R.R. Martin’s writing?
A: Yes. Not only did she inspire the naming of fictional pets in his work, but she also directly influenced major plot elements, including the fate of Arya Stark.
In Summary
Behind the sweeping stories and global acclaim of George R.R. Martin stands Parris McBride, a committed philanthropist and partner whose influence quietly shapes his life and work. From the streets of Portland to the remote landscapes of New Mexico, Parris’s journey is one of compassion, creativity, and steadfast support. Whether through her activism, her love of literature, or her place in the heart of fantasy fandom, Parris McBride continues to be an inspiration to those who value kindness, purpose, and quiet strength.
References
- https://www.purewow.com/entertainment/george-r-r-martin-wife
- https://www.legit.ng/ask-legit/biographies/1570174-parris-mcbrides-bio-george-r-r-martins-wife/
- https://www.naijanews.com/buzz/people/parris-mcbride-bio-family-facts-about-george-rr-martins-wife/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_R._R._Martin
- https://georgerrmartin.com/about-george/life-and-times/parris/
- https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65342013/
- https://georgerrmartin.com/about-george/life-and-times/
