George Stephanopoulos, former White House Communications Director, now a political commentator and “Good Morning America” co-anchor, lives the American dream. He is an achiever in his field and home front — inside his love life and the million-dollar abode where he lives with his family.
Undoubtedly, at 63, George Stephanopoulos from Massachusetts has paid his dues. With his years of expertise in the media and political sphere, it is not an understatement to refer to him as an intellectual powerhouse.
By his side is his perfect wife, Ali Wentworth, who, like her husband, has garnered a few titles, including an author, producer, actress, and comedian.
However, these two have remained in a love-binding relationship for more than two decades amid their successes and popularity.
It all started in the most unlikely manner. The actress’s friend had told her that they would be a great match, but Wentworth, who grew up in D.C, and was raised by a mother who worked in the White House, refused.
She wanted Matthew Perry or Hugh Grant and never thought that her star would align with Stephanopoulos’s in her wildest imagination. However, after a few persuasions, she decided to go on a blind date with him. So in April 2001, the pair had lunch at Barneys.
Ali Wentworth, George Stephanopolous, daughters Harper and Elliott Stephanopolous at Crosby Street Hotel on November 15, 2016 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
But unlike what Wentworth had expected, it was a great date, and they indeed were a perfect fit. Within days, they fell in love and, in two months, became engaged. While describing how it all began, the “GMA” co-host said:
“About 15 minutes in, she just leaned in and said something, and we were suddenly in another place, in another universe, immediately. We went from strangers to friends to being in love in days.”
It took the couple only a few months to become convinced that they were meant to be together. Then, in November 2001, they decided to share their wedding vows, leading them on their journey to forever.
LIFE AFTER THEIR WEDDING
Five years after the wedding, the couple welcomed their daughters. They chose to settle in a colonial-revival house in Washington, D.C, with their growing family.
For years, Wentworth and her husband were relaxed in their home, full of happiness, as they both advanced their careers. However, five years later, they had to make a dramatic change, a change that affected the author.
Wentworth explained that their D.C. home was richly designed, and she spent most of her days working at home in the office area. Then one day, her husband received news that he was to co-host the “GMA.”
This meant they needed to move to another city, leaving behind the D.C. property they had grown to love. While describing the moment, she said:
“Speaking before thousands doesn’t cause me an ounce of anxiety. But moving? I’m on the floor, panic-stricken.”
George Stephanopolous on “Good Morning America” on March 3, 2020. | Source: Getty Images
Despite feeling anxious about the new change, Wentworth mustered the strength to support her husband and put up a brave face for her kids, Elliott and Harper.
So eventually, she saved a few photographs, some art pieces, and a hot plate, ready to begin life again in the New York home that was a lot smaller than their first home yet sophisticated.
REDESIGNING THEIR NEW YORK HOME WITH THE HELP OF A RENOWNED HOME DESIGNER
Luckily for the author, she had met a home decorator, Michael Smith, one of the best guys in town, through a mutual friend. She admired his works and kept in touch with him, exchanging emails and studying his concepts.
When it was time to move, she told Smith, and instantly, he agreed to give the couple’s new home a makeover.
Unfortunately, the first time he visited the house, it was a mess— the author admitted that it looked like a “lady stripped off all her makeup and jewelry.”
However, she was convinced that Smith would do a great job. The actress added that despite how poor the place looked, it had the perfect flooring, and thankfully, it did not need to be changed.
As expected, Smith delivered within six months, leaving Wentworth in astonishment. While recounting the story, she revealed:
“The results left me in awe…I still can’t stop pawing the Venetian-plaster walls. And our master suite with its hand-painted wallpaper and Italian neoclassical walnut bed, is exquisite.”
INSIDE THE NEW YORK HOME WHERE THE FAMILY RAISED THEIR DAUGHTERS
Wentworth and her husband have remained in their New York home since they moved there, raising their daughters in their palace with a concise and sophisticated living room, among other areas.
The couple’s living room features adorable cushion chairs that pair beautifully with a dual-seat leather chair.
There is also a rectangle-shaped center table with flower vases and china wares resting on a wide rug that covers a wooden floor.
A dining area is also built with shelves and walls adorned with frames. It faces a window that blesses the scenery with natural light, while the dining chairs are set on two straight paths on both sides of the table.
The kitchen greets a high ceiling, dove grey walls, neat marbled areas, white cabinets, and a fun board hanging at its entrance.
The bedroom is furnished with a bed fitting for a king. It has two-bed drawers with lamps, a chair on one side, and a table on the other, holding a blossoming flower.
Wentworth home also boasts a breakfast area divinely furnished for light meals: it directly faces the window and is surrounded by armless chairs. There is also an office space with many bookshelves cradling the author’s collections.
LIFE AS A TRULY HAPPY FAMILY
Despite their busy schedules, Wentworth and her husband have taken time to manage their home affairs, raising their girls in love and inside an adorable home.
While speaking about her approach to parenthood, the actress maintained that she does not believe in going by a template in books, adding that there is no formula.
Instead, what has helped Wentworth is her determination to do her best and having a supportive spouse.
During the Covid-19 period, she gave her kids a free hand, relaxing all the strict rules. For example, there was no precise time to go to bed, and they were allowed to watch memes and sleep all day.
Despite the fluidity in raising her kids, the author connects with her daughters, who love and respect her. Once, she took the time to explain the story behind their names.
She started by apologizing to them for their long first name, which is almost impossible for a stranger to pronounce correctly at the first attempt.
Then, the mother-of-two revealed that she adopted Elliott’s name for her eldest daughter because it was her grandmother’s. As for Harper, the youngest child, Wentworth dreamt about the “gorgeous” word and could not forget it.
Apart from talking with the girls, Wentworth and her husband are consciously igniting the sparks in their relationship through humor, which has kept them strong for many years.
In 2021, the couple celebrated twenty years of marriage. The author went online to boast of her love life, sharing a throwback photo of their wedding, saying, “20 years!!!!!!! And I’m still full of love and celebration!”