Edward Abel Smith would have remained relatively unknown in the entertainment industry had he not gotten into a romantic relationship with Titanic actress Kate Winslet. He even had a different name from what he is now known as, but it has been over ten years of marital bliss with his wife, and their romance does not seem to be diminishing. Who is Kate Winslet’s husband? All about Edward Abel Smith and more
In today’s world, Edward Abel Smith can be referred to as the beneficiary of old money, having come from a wealthy family with his uncle, Branson, a renowned billionaire businessman. His and Kate’s marriage is special because his child takes her last name, not his.
Top 10 shocking details about Edward Abel Smith
Although he is now popularly known as Kate Winslet’s husband, below are some captivating facts that capture his essence.
He is the nephew of a billionaire businessman
Edward is the son of billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson’s sister, Lindy. Sir Branson is popularly known as the Virgin Group’s founder, a conglomerate controlling over 400 businesses in various industries. The man began his entrepreneurial pursuit in his mid-teens, starting with a magazine before moving on to several other businesses. Nowadays, he has invested in transportation and spaceflight, the latter of which is dedicated to space tourism.
What does Edward Abel Smith do for a living?
Edward works at Virgin Galactic, a space tourism company founded by his uncle, Sir Richard. He collaborated with prominent individuals like Paul Allen, who co-founded Microsoft, and Burt Rutan, an aeronautical engineer. His portfolio at the space flight division of his uncle’s businesses is Head of Marketing of the Astronaut Experience program.
He was raised by his mother and stepfather
The husband of Kate was allegedly born on the first of January 1978. His parents, Robert Abel Smith and Lindy Branson, divorced sometime after his birth. He went on to live with his mother and her new husband, Robin Brockway, in Parsons Green, South-West London. He has four half-brothers from his parents’ second marriage.
Is Kate Winslet currently married?
Edward is married to Titanic actress Kate Winslet, and the union has grown stronger even though it is over a decade old. The lovebirds wedded in December 2012 in what was generally regarded as a secret wedding, seeing that even their respective parents were unaware they were tying the knot. The ceremony was attended by Kate’s children from previous marriages and a handful of friends, notably Kate’s Titanic co-star, Leonardo DiCaprio.
He bonded with his wife over a fire outbreak
People often find love in the oddest places; Edward and Kate’s love story proves exactly this. They met while staying at Sir Richard Branson’s multi-million-dollar mansion but went from acquaintance to lovers after Kate saved Edwards’s 90-year-old mother from a fire that occurred 24 hours after their first meeting.
Edward is a divorcee
Edward’s marriage to Kate was not his first, as he used to marry Eliza Pearson, a renowned socialite and daughter of Viscount Cowdray. The marriage happened in 2009 but was dissolved two years after a divorce. His ex-wife was in her twenties then, but both moved on quickly from their failed marriage. Edward married Kate just two years later, and Eliza found solace in the love of her boyfriend and movie director, John Debin.
How many times did Kate Winslet marry?
The actress had been married twice before meeting Edward. Her first marriage was to James Threapleton, a film director and assistant director she met on the set of Hideous Kinky in 1997. They tied the knot in 1998 and welcomed a daughter named Mia before they separated in 2001, leading to their divorce.
Kate’s second marriage was to Sam Mendes, a renowned director and producer, beginning in 2003. However, their nearly seven-year marriage came to an end in 2010. Sam Mendes is known for his work in theatre and film, including American Beauty and the James Bond films.
He was legally known as Ned Rocknroll at some point
Edward Abel Smith had always been known for his playfulness. It was initially apparent in his choice of clothing, but he took it a step further by legally changing his name to Ned Rocknroll in 2008.
Why did Kate Winslet’s husband change his name? Although this might seem a bit weird, the action had a philosophical reasoning as he believed people took themselves too seriously and wanted to have fun with his name.
He reverted to his original name after his second marriage
The stay-at-home dad changed his name from Ned Rocknroll to Edward Abel Smith. Why did Kate Winslet’s husband change his name? She suggested that it was because of her. According to her, Ned’s rocknroll-ish name would not have made sense to the press because of her celebrity status. Ned changed his name after his wife jokingly questioned him about the sense in the name while filling in their names on several documents.
Edward is a stay-at-home dad and a father of three
Edward and Kate’s union produced a son, Bear Blaze Winslet, in 2013. Still, he is also the stepfather to his wife’s children, Mia Honey Threapleton and Joe Mendes, from her previous marriages. Kate always tells the world how much of a caring husband and father he is.
Edward Abel Smith has become more immersed in the spotlight of the entertainment industry since he became Kate Winslet’s husband. He has, however, gained the respect of his famous wife because of his willingness to help her with her career.
More photos of Kate Winslet’s husband, Abel Smith
