Jill Diven: The Untold Story of Brad Garrett’s First Wife

Can you imagine someone asking you to marry them on the set of a famous TV show — with cameras, lights, and a crowd watching? Sounds like something from a movie, right? Well, that really happened to Jill Diven.

In 1998, Brad Garrett, the actor who played Robert Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond, got down on one knee and proposed to Jill right there on the show’s set. It was sweet, romantic, and totally unexpected. Fans loved the moment. But behind that happy scene, Jill and Brad’s story had its own ups and downs.

In this article, we’re going to talk about Jill Diven’s real story. We’ll look at her life before she met Brad, their fast romance, their kids, why their marriage didn’t last, and what Jill is doing now. Let’s take a closer look at her journey — the parts many people never hear about.

Jill Diven Quick Bio

Who Is Jill Diven?

Before Jill Diven became known to the public, she lived a quiet and private life. She worked as a cocktail waitress in Las Vegas, just living a normal life like many others.

Not much is known about her early years, family, or childhood. Jill didn’t grow up in the spotlight, and she didn’t seek fame either. In fact, even after becoming the wife of a TV star, she stayed away from public attention as much as possible.

She only became known to many people after she met and married Brad Garrett, but her story is much more than just being someone’s wife.

How Jill Diven Met Brad Garrett

Jill met Brad Garrett in the late 1990s while she was working as a waitress. Brad was already becoming popular thanks to his role on Everybody Loves Raymond.

They quickly hit it off and started dating. Just three months into the relationship, Jill found out she was pregnant with their first child. This big news changed everything for both of them.

Brad wanted to build a real family — something he had always dreamed of. So, without wasting time, he planned a proposal that would be big and memorable.

Jill Diven’s Wedding to Brad Garrett

In August 1998, Brad proposed to Jill on the set of Everybody Loves Raymond. It was a sweet and public moment. Cast members, crew, and the live studio audience were all there to witness it.

The couple got married on May 18, 1999. Soon after, they welcomed their first child. Just a year later, they had their second child. They were growing their family fast and trying to enjoy their new life together.

For a while, it seemed like they had it all — a strong relationship, a loving home, and two beautiful kids.

Life During Everybody Loves Raymond

While Jill stayed at home with the kids and avoided the spotlight, Brad’s career was growing fast. He played Robert, the funny and awkward brother, on the hit show.

Brad became more and more famous. He was winning awards, appearing in interviews, and even acting on Broadway. But behind the scenes, things were not as perfect as they looked.

Jill Diven didn’t appear on the show, but her life was deeply connected to it. The fame, the busy schedule, and the pressure of being in the public eye affected their relationship.

Jill Diven and Brad Garrett’s Children

Jill and Brad had two children during their marriage:

• Maxwell Bradley Garrett, born in 1999

• Hope Violet Garrett, born in 2000

Jill focused on raising the kids with love and care. Even though Brad was working long hours, they tried to build a happy home together.

After the divorce, both parents worked hard to keep the children’s lives private. They wanted to protect them from fame and media attention. The kids rarely appear in public or online, and that’s exactly how Jill prefers it.

When Things Started Falling Apart

At first, everything seemed fine. But after about four years, their marriage began to change. In his 2011 book, Brad Garrett admitted that the relationship started to crumble.

He said he wasn’t a faithful husband, and both he and Jill became emotionally distant. They tried to make it work for the kids, but it became clear that they were growing apart.

Brad later said, “We were decent people who just didn’t belong together.” It was a sad truth that took them time to accept.

Jill Diven’s Divorce from Brad Garrett

In April 2006, Jill Diven and Brad Garrett quietly separated. At first, they kept the news private. They didn’t want their personal problems to be in the headlines. Later, in November 2007, their divorce was officially finalized.

Jill was the one who filed for divorce, and the reason given was “irreconcilable differences.” This simply means that they couldn’t fix the problems in their marriage. Brad later admitted in his book that he wasn’t faithful and that both of them had grown distant.

Even though the marriage didn’t work out, they both handled the split in a mature way. There was no drama in public. They focused on doing what was best for their children.

What Jill Diven Got in the Divorce

Jill Diven received a large settlement after the divorce, and it was public news because Brad Garrett was a well-known TV star.

Here’s what Jill received:

• $35,000 per month in spousal support (until December 2018, or until she remarried or either of them passed away).

• $20,000 per month in child support for Maxwell and Hope.

• Half of Brad’s earnings from Everybody Loves Raymond.

• Half of all retirement savings and money in their bank accounts.

• Two luxury cars (a 2007 Mercedes and a 2005 Cadillac).

• Half of the money from selling their home in Hidden Hills, California.

Even though the money details became public, Jill never used her fame to get attention. She stayed quiet and private — just like before.

Jill Diven’s Life After Divorce

After the divorce, Jill Diven stepped away from the spotlight completely. There are no interviews, no social media pages, and no public events with her name on them.

It seems she chose a simple life — one where she could raise her children away from cameras and gossip. And honestly, that’s something many people respect about her.

There is no news of her dating or getting married again. She simply focused on being a good mom and staying out of Hollywood headlines.

Co-Parenting with Brad Garrett

Even after their divorce, Jill Diven and Brad Garrett made a big decision — they would raise their kids together, as a team.

They shared joint legal and physical custody of Maxwell and Hope. Brad continued to pay child support and stayed close to his children. He often posted sweet birthday messages for them on Instagram, showing how much he loves them.

In one interview, Brad said,

“We will always be friends because we will never be single parents. We will always be two parents.”

Jill also said kind words about Brad, calling him her “best friend.” They didn’t fight or blame each other. Instead, they focused on their children and stayed strong for them.

Brad Garrett Moved On, But What About Jill Diven?

Brad Garrett found love again. He met Isabella Quella in 2008 at an art gallery in Boston. After dating for many years, they got married in November 2021. She is 24 years younger than Brad, but the two seem very happy together.

Jill Diven, on the other hand, never remarried — at least not publicly. There are no records, interviews, or photos showing her with someone new. It seems she made peace with her past and chose to live life quietly, focusing on herself and her kids.

Final Thoughts

The story of Jill Diven is not just about fame, marriage, or divorce. It’s about strength, privacy, and doing what’s best for family.

She was once in the middle of Hollywood attention — not because she wanted it, but because she married someone famous. Even then, Jill never tried to become a celebrity herself. She stayed true to who she was: a kind, private, and strong woman.

After her marriage ended, she didn’t speak badly about her ex-husband. She didn’t chase the spotlight. She simply moved on with grace. And that, in many ways, is what makes her story so powerful.

(FAQs)

How much money does Jill Diven have now?

Jill’s exact net worth is not known, but after the divorce, she got over $55,000 every month from Brad Garrett. She also got half of his TV money and savings, so she’s likely living a very comfortable life.

How tall is Jill Diven?

Jill Diven is about 5 feet 5 inches tall. Brad Garrett is much taller — 6 feet 8 inches — so there was a big height difference between them.

How old is Jill Diven?

Jill was born in 1964, so she is 61 years old in 2025.

What is the age gap between Jill Diven and Brad Garrett?

Jill is 4 years younger than Brad. He was born in 1960, and she was born in 1964.

Where is Jill Diven now in 2025?

Jill lives a very quiet and private life. She didn’t get married again and spends most of her time with her two kids, Maxwell and Hope. She stays away from the spotlight.