Ashley Judd's bio: Partner, previous relationships, and children
Ashley Judd’s bio explores the life of the celebrated actress and humanitarian, whose life blends talent, resilience, and purpose. Known for her film roles and advocacy, she has also garnered attention for her personal relationships and life journey. Read more about her, including her partner, past relationships, and family.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Ashley Judd's profile summary
- Ashley Judd's bio
- What is Ashley Judd's ethnicity?
- Education
- What made Ashley Judd famous?
- What is Ashley Judd's net worth?
- Is Ashley Judd still married?
- Previous relationships
- Who is Ashley Judd's current partner?
- Who was Ashley Judd's partner in the Congo?
- Does Ashley Judd have any children?
- What happened between Ashley Judd and Harvey Weinstein?
- What has Ashley Judd been diagnosed with?
- Where is Ashley Judd now?
- Social media presence
Key takeaways
- Ashley Judd is an American actress, known for starring in thrillers and dramas such as Kiss the Girls, Double Jeopardy, and A Time to Kill.
- She is also a prominent humanitarian and political activist.
- Judd was married to Scottish race car driver Dario Franchitti for 11 years before divorcing in 2013.
- The actress has no children.
Ashley Judd's profile summary
| Full name | Ashley Tyler Ciminella |
| Nickname | Ash Sweet Pea |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | April 19th, 1968 |
| Age | 57 years old (as of 2025) |
| Zodiac sign | Aries |
| Place of birth | Granada Hills, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Eye colour | Hazel |
| Hair colour | Dark brown |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches (1.7m) |
| Weight | 130 pounds (59kg) |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Marital status | Divorced |
| Ex-spouse | Dario Franchitti |
| Education | University of Kentucky |
| Profession | Actress and political activist |
| Net worth | $14 million |
| Social media | InstagramX(Twitter)FacebookYouTube |
Ashley Judd's bio
She was born on April 19, 1968, in Granada Hills, California. As of 2025, Ashley Judd's age is 55. She is the daughter of country music singer Naomi Judd and marketing analyst Michael Ciminella.
Her only sibling was Wynonna Judd, a renowned country singer and part of the award-winning duo The Judds.
Source: Original
Raised in a family deeply connected to the entertainment industry, Ashley developed both artistic and humanitarian passions. She holds American nationality and has earned acclaim for her work in films, television, and global humanitarian causes. Her background and upbringing have significantly influenced her career and values.
What is Ashley Judd's ethnicity?
Ashley Judd’s ethnicity is primarily White (Caucasian), with a rich mix of European ancestry. On her mother’s side, she has Scottish, English, and German roots, while her father’s side includes Sicilian (Italian) heritage.
Education
She attended the University of Kentucky, where she majored in French and minored in anthropology, art history, theatre, and women’s studies. Years later, she furthered her academic journey by earning a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in 2010.
What made Ashley Judd famous?
Ashley Judd began her acting career in the early 1990s, gaining recognition for her TV shows “Ruby in Paradise” (1993) and “Smoke” (1995). Her versatile performances in drama, thriller, and action movies quickly established her as a respected Hollywood actress.
In the late 1990s and 2000s, she starred in hits like “Kiss the Girls” (1997) and “Double Jeopardy” (1999), earning critical praise and a loyal fanbase. She also worked in television and documentaries, often highlighting social issues.
Beyond acting, Ashley Judd is a committed activist, advocating for women’s rights, global health, and human rights. Her career reflects both cinematic success and meaningful humanitarian work.
What is Ashley Judd's net worth?
According to ComingSoon, the actress has an estimated net worth of $14 million, while The Richest estimates her wealth at $22 million. Ashley's wealth has been accumulated through her extensive career in acting, political activism, and other ventures.
Is Ashley Judd still married?
As of now, the actress is not married. She has been linked to a few past relationships, but she tends to keep her personal life private. There is no public record of a current spouse or marriage.
Previous relationships
Source: Getty Images
Ashley Judd's dating history includes several notable relationships over the years. Here's a list of men she has been romantically linked to:
1. Dario Franchitti
Ashley Judd’s ex-husband, Dario Franchitti, is a retired Scottish racing driver and four-time IndyCar Series champion. He also won the prestigious Indianapolis 500 three times. Judd and Franchitti were married in 2001 after meeting at a friend’s wedding, but their marriage ended in divorce in 2013.
Beyond his racing career, Franchitti has worked as a motorsports commentator and mentor to young drivers.
2. Michael Bolton
Before that, she dated Michael Bolton, the American singer famous for hits like Said I Loved You… But I Lied, from 1996 to 1997. Details about how they met remain private, but their relationship was relatively brief.
3. Josh Charles
Around the same time, Judd also dated actor Josh Charles, known for The Good Wife and Dead Poets Society, from January to August 1996. Specific details about how they met are not publicly available.
4. Matthew McConaughey
Ashley also had a brief relationship with Matthew McConaughey, the Academy Award-winning actor, in 1996 after they met on the set of A Time to Kill.
5. Michael English
Earlier, she dated Michael English, the American Christian singer and former member of the Gaither Vocal Band, from February to September 1995. How they met is not publicly known.
6. Lyle Lovett
In the early ’90s, Judd dated singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett from 1991 to 1992, and their relationship helped shape her experiences in the entertainment world.
7. Brady Anderson, David Duchovny, and Robert De Niro
She was also rumoured to have been involved with former baseball player Brady Anderson, actor David Duchovny, and legendary actor Robert De Niro. These relationships were never publicly confirmed, and details about them remain scarce.
Who is Ashley Judd's current partner?
As of August 2025, Ashley Judd is reportedly single. She confirmed her relationship status after partying ways with lawyer Constantin "Tino" Klein in early 2025.
In a February interview, Judd described herself as being in her "single era," emphasising her focus on personal growth and self-discovery rather than rushing into a new relationship. She said;
“I’m in my single era. It’s a time for self-growth, reflection, and really focusing on myself. I’m not in a rush to be with someone; I want to make sure it’s the right person when the time comes.
Who was Ashley Judd's partner in the Congo?
Ashley Judd's partner during her traumatic accident in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was Martin Surbeck, a Swiss primatologist and conservation biologist. He operates a research camp in the Congo dedicated to studying endangered great apes, particularly bonobos.
Judd was visiting his camp when she sustained a severe leg injury during a hike in February 2021. Following the accident, Surbeck played a crucial role in coordinating her rescue.
He, along with local Congolese guides, assisted in transporting Judd over challenging terrain, including rivers and hills, to reach a medical facility. This arduous journey lasted approximately 55 hours.
Does Ashley Judd have any children?
Ashley does not have children of her own. However, she is a lovely aunt to Wynonna Judd's children. Wynonna has two children, Grace Pauline Kelley and Elijah Judd.
Source: Getty Images
Judd's lack of children comes from a personal decision. From as early as 18 years, she knew that she did not want to have children. She expounded on it more in her memoir All That Is Bitter and Sweet, where she wrote,
The fact is that I have chosen not to have children because I believe the children who are already here are really mine, too... I do not need to go making 'my own' babies when there are so many orphaned or abandoned children who need love, attention, time, and care.
Despite not having any biological kids, she feels a great deal of love for children. Therefore, throughout her life, the actress has adopted several children.
What happened between Ashley Judd and Harvey Weinstein?
In April 2018, Judd sued Harvey Weinstein. The former actress accused Weinstein of luring her to his hotel room and asking her to watch him shower. She also alleged that he tried to give her a massage.
Ashley also sued for defamation and retaliation. She claimed that after she rebuffed his advances, Weinstein blacklisted her in the film industry. A section of her lawsuit states that,
Weinstein used his power in the entertainment industry to damage Ms Judd's reputation and limit her ability to find work.
More than 75 women have accused Mr Weinstein of varying degrees of sexual misconduct. He has denied these allegations.
Despite the setback, Weinstein was retried in April 2025. On June 11, 2025, he was found guilty of one count of criminal sexual act, with the jury still deliberating on another allegation. Judd's continued advocacy and the retrial underscore the ongoing efforts to hold perpetrators accountable and support survivors in their pursuit of justice.
What has Ashley Judd been diagnosed with?
Ashley Judd has faced several health challenges over the years. In 2024, she revealed that her chronic headaches had been misdiagnosed for eight years before receiving the correct treatment.
She has also been diagnosed with a sleep disorder, causing excessive daytime sleepiness, and has dealt with issues like mononucleosis, parasites, weight fluctuations, and new-onset anaphylaxis. Despite these struggles, she continues to advocate for health awareness.
Where is Ashley Judd now?
Source: Getty Images
As of August 2025, Ashley Judd is actively involved in humanitarian work and public speaking. In April, she spoke at Guilford College about mental health and trauma recovery. In July, she shared a body-positive message while swimming in the Baltic Sea, embracing her postmenopausal body.
Judd has also been part of the Lifetime docuseries The Judd Family: Truth Be Told, which explores her family’s experiences, including the passing of her mother, Naomi Judd, in 2022.
Social media presence
Ashley Judd maintains an active and authentic presence on social media, particularly on Instagram and Facebook, where she shares glimpses of recent photos of her personal life, advocacy work, and candid moments.
Ashley Judd’s bio depicts a woman whose personal story is as inspiring as her career. Through love, challenges, and advocacy, she continues to stand out with strength and passion. Her relationships and family life add depth to her remarkable journey.
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