The Untold Story of Heidi Van Pelt: Taran Noah Smith’s Surprising Ex-Wife

Some names stay in the headlines for all the right reasons. Others stay there because their story is just too unusual to forget. Heidi Van Pelt is one of those names.

In the early 2000s, Heidi made headlines when she married a teen actor, someone 16 years younger than her. The actor was Taran Noah Smith, best known for playing Mark on the hit TV show Home Improvement. Their wedding shocked fans, the media, and even Taran’s family.

But there’s more to Heidi than just the drama. She is a real person with a surprising journey, full of struggles, dreams, and bold choices. In this article, we’ll explore her full story. From her early life in Missouri to her life after fame, here’s everything you need to know about Heidi Van Pelt in 2025.

Heidi Van Pelt Quick Bio

Who is Heidi Van Pelt?

Heidi Van Pelt is an American vegan chef, nutrition expert, and entrepreneur. She became known to the public in 2001 when she married Taran Noah Smith. The marriage caught everyone’s attention because of their big age gap — Heidi was 34, and Taran was only 18.

But Heidi is more than just a celebrity ex-wife. She spent years working in film, health, and food. She even started her own vegan businesses. She has also helped many people learn about healthy eating and plant-based living.

Today, Heidi lives a private life away from the media. But her story still gets people talking — because it mixes fame, love, controversy, and fresh starts.

Heidi’s Childhood and Family Life

Heidi was born on July 11, 1968, in Missouri, a state in the middle of the United States. Her childhood wasn’t easy. Her parents separated when she was very young, and she had to live with each of them at different times. This back-and-forth life wasn’t stable, and it made her grow up quickly.

Even though her family life was tough, her mom always supported her dreams. She told Heidi to follow the path she wanted, no matter what others thought. That advice helped shape Heidi’s bold personality — someone not afraid to take big steps, even if people talked.

This early part of Heidi’s life gave her strength. It also showed that she was independent from a young age.

Heidi Van Pelt’s Educational Journey

Heidi went to Blue Springs High School and then transferred to Oak Park High School. She finished high school in 1986. After that, she tried several colleges but didn’t find the right fit.

At first, she joined Stephens College to study fashion design. But it didn’t work out. She later went to the University of Missouri and studied German and philosophy. Still, something was missing.

Then, in 1988, Heidi surprised everyone. She decided she wanted to work for the CIA — yes, the spy agency. To follow this dream, she joined the University of Washington to study the Russian language and studies. But again, she dropped out just one semester before graduation.

It seemed school just wasn’t the right path for her. But Heidi never stopped trying new things. She was always looking for what truly felt right.

Her Life Before the Fame

After leaving school, Heidi moved to Los Angeles. She started a small company called Emergent Films. It was her first step into the film world. Sadly, the company didn’t last long. So she began working behind the scenes on film sets.

She worked as a production assistant and prop master, helping set up movie scenes. It wasn’t glamorous, but it gave her real experience in the film industry.

At the same time, she was searching for more. She wasn’t rich or famous yet. But Heidi kept exploring new ideas and meeting new people. That’s when her life took another big turn — this time, toward healthy living and vegan food.

How Heidi Van Pelt Became a Vegan Chef

In Los Angeles, Heidi met a group of animal rights activists. They were kind, passionate, and fully plant-based. Their lifestyle inspired her. She started learning about veganism and healthy eating. She liked how it made her feel — not just physically, but emotionally too.

To go deeper, Heidi took online classes at the American Academy of Nutrition. She became a certified nutritional counselor. She started giving health advice, cooking vegan meals, and even got her own radio show called “Raw Health.”

Heidi wasn’t just cooking — she was helping people live better. She became known in Hollywood for her vegan catering. She even made meals at parties for famous stars.

At one of these parties, her life changed again because that’s where she met a young actor named Taran Noah Smith.

Her Relationship with Taran Noah Smith

Taran was already a well-known name by then. He had spent his childhood acting on Home Improvement. At the party, he met Heidi. He was only 14 years old, and she was around 30. At that time, they only spoke as friends.

But they met again a few years later, around 2000. This time, he was 17, and they had both changed. They talked more, became close, and started dating.

Their friendship grew into something deeper. Soon, they were spending a lot of time together. Heidi even moved in with Taran and his family for a while. They kept their relationship mostly quiet — until something shocking happened.

On April 27, 2001, Taran Noah Smith and Heidi Van Pelt got married. The news spread fast. People couldn’t believe it. Taran had just turned 18, and Heidi was 34. The 16-year age gap became a huge media story.

Many fans and even Taran’s parents were upset. They thought Heidi was using him, especially because Taran had just gained access to his $1.5 million trust fund. At one point, Taran even accused his parents of misusing the money, but later took that back.

Despite the criticism, the couple stayed together. They smiled for cameras, gave interviews, and tried to show they were happy. But not everyone believed it. People kept talking about their age gap, the money, and whether the marriage would last.

Life Together as a Married Couple

After the wedding, Heidi Van Pelt and Taran Noah Smith started building a life together. They didn’t just want to be a couple — they wanted to run a business too. So, in 2005, they started a vegan food company called Playfood.

Playfood makes non-dairy cheese and other plant-based products. It was all about healthy, raw food. The business was small but unique. Many people in California loved it. Heidi and Taran worked side by side and tried to make it grow.

At the same time, they kept appearing at Hollywood events. They smiled for the cameras and looked happy together. But behind the scenes, things were not always so perfect.

Trouble and a Messy Divorce

In 2007, after six years of marriage, things fell apart. Heidi and Taran filed for divorce. They said it was because of “irreconcilable differences,” which means they just couldn’t fix the problems.

But the real story was deeper. Taran accused Heidi of taking money from their business and moving it into her personal account. Heidi said Taran was partying too much and wasn’t focused. It turned into a legal fight over money and business.

The media picked up the story again. People who once questioned the marriage now said they saw the breakup coming. It was messy, sad, and very public. The couple had no children, but they did fight over their business, and Heidi ended up keeping control of it.

What Heidi Van Pelt Did After the Breakup

After the divorce, Heidi Van Pelt left the spotlight. She moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where she started fresh. There, she opened a new vegan restaurant called Füd (pronounced “food”).

Füd was all about plant-based meals. It became popular with locals who loved healthy, creative dishes. Heidi was back doing what she loved — cooking, sharing good food, and living a vegan lifestyle.

But like many small restaurants, Füd faced challenges. Over time, it closed down. Even so, Heidi kept doing things she believed in. She focused on helping people eat well and live healthier lives.

Where is Heidi Van Pelt Now?

Today, Heidi Van Pelt lives a very private life. She doesn’t appear in the news anymore. She’s not active in Hollywood, and she doesn’t do interviews.

Still, some people say she works on small food projects or helps local groups with nutrition. Others say she may still be helping people as a nutritionist. But nothing is confirmed, and Heidi seems to like it that way.

She has chosen peace over fame. Even though she was once part of a big Hollywood story, she now stays far away from all that noise.

Final Thoughts

Even in 2025, people still search her name online. They want to know what happened to the woman who married a teenage TV star. Her story still feels shocking, even after all these years.

But there’s more to her than just the headlines. Heidi Van Pelt is someone who followed her heart. She made bold choices — some that worked, and some that didn’t. She built businesses, chased dreams, and tried to live on her own terms.

That’s why her story stays interesting. It’s not just about drama. It’s about taking chances, learning from mistakes, and starting over — even when the whole world is watching.

(FAQs)

Who was Taran Noah Smith’s wife?

Taran Noah Smith married Heidi Van Pelt in 2001 when he was just 18, and she was 34! Their 16-year age gap shocked fans and Hollywood.

How old is Heidi Van Pelt now?

Heidi Van Pelt was born on July 11, 1968. As of 2025, she is 57 years old.

Where is Heidi Van Pelt now in 2025?

Heidi lives a private life far from Hollywood. After her divorce, she moved to Kansas City and is believed to be quietly working in vegan food and wellness.

What is Heidi Van Pelt’s net worth in 2025?

Her net worth is estimated to be around $500,000, mostly from her vegan businesses and nutrition work.

Did Heidi Van Pelt ever remarry?

No, there are no public records of Heidi Van Pelt remarrying after her split from Taran Noah Smith in 2007.