Katharine Wilder: Six Things You Need To Know About Gene Wilder's Daughter

Late Jerome Silberman, professionally known as Gene Wilder besides being known as a  screenwriter, director, producer, author, singer, and songwriter, is also known for being the father of the estranged daughter, Katharine Wilder.

Unfortunately, this great persona is no more among us. It has been almost a year since Gene Wilder died of Alzheimer's disease. However, his daughter is taking his generation forward. There is a lot of gossip about Katharine Wilder, but today we have brought you six major facts about this beautiful young lady. So, let's get started. Just stay with us.

1) Kathrine Wilder's Father Was Married to His First Wife Mary Mercier

You might not know but the father of Kathrine Wilder, Gene Wilder had been in four different marriages in his life. Gene Wilder was married to his first wife Mary Mercier whom he first met while studying at the HB Studio in New York. Well, the couple after dating for a brief period of time tied the knot on 22 July 1960.

Former husband and wife Gene Wilder and Mary Mercier

Source: Daily Telegraph

They enjoyed their marital relationship for a full five years and eventually divorced in 1965. It was a matter of surprise as celebrities are often known for their marriage failures. A few months after the split with Mary Mercier, Gene Wilder began dating Mary Joan Schutz who was a friend of his sister.

Also Read: All About Gene Wilder's Daughter Katharine Wilder: Details On Her Career, & Net Worth

2) Gene Wilder is An Adopted Child

The most interesting fact about Kathrine Wilder is that she is not the begotten daughter of Gene Wilder. Kathrine is from Gene's second wife Mary Joan Schutz previous relationship.

While Gene was dating Schutz, Kathrine Wilder also used to be with the couple. Gene Wilder later realized that he had developed a strong bond with Schutz's daughter. Later, when Kathrine started calling him DAD, he eventually got determined and decided to marry Schutz.

Gene Wilder exchanged vows with Schutz on 27 October 1967 and in the following year, he adopted Katharine officially. Little Katharine used to share a healthy bond with him at that time.

3) Separated From Her Father

Everything was going perfectly. The relationship between father and daughter was too strong that Gene even wrote the book Kiss Me Like a Stranger indicating Katherine Wilder, who might have received a fair amount after the death of her father Gene Wilder.

Unfortunately, after seven years of marriage, Gene Wilder and Schutz somehow parted ways. Later, Katharine suspected that her father was having an affair with his co-star from Young Frankenstein Madeline Kahn.

Soon, her doubt turned out to be the truth as Gene was found dating co-star Teri Garr which ultimately became the reason for his separation from his daughter Katharine Wilder.

In 2002, during an interview with Larry King, Gene Wilder revealed that he lost his relationship with his daughter when she was 23 years and that she broke all contact with him.

4) Gene Talked About Katharine Wilder: She Never Forgave Him

In 2005, during an interview with New York Daily News, Gene talked about his book Kiss Me Like a Stranger and he opened up about how obsessed he was with his daughter.

In the interview, he even shared the space with Kathrine Wilder and explained how his daughter who cared for him deeply, became “too crowded."

Gene Wilder said that Katharine Wilder never forgave him for what he did. One reason he wrote the book was just Kathrine and he said that he doubted that she would read it;

If she does (read my book), I hope it will explain some things she didn’t want to understand.

Must Read: Know About The Love Story Of Karen Boyer And Her Late Husband Gene Wilder

 5) Father Gene Wilder's Third Marriage and Fourth Marriage

After a decade the finalization of his divorce from Mary Joan Schutz, Gene Wilder got married to his third wife Gilda Radner in 1984. 

Well, later Gilda Radner was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and she was being treated for infertility. This is the reason why the couple couldn't have their own child.

Former husband and wife couple: Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner

Source: Pinterest

The couple was happily married until Gilda died of cancer in 1989.

After a couple of years of his separation from Gilda, Gene Wilder married Karen Webb Boyer in 1991, and they were enjoying their marriage until Gene Wilder passed away.

6) Katharine Wilder has a cousin

Despite his four marriages, Gene Wilder never had any children besides Katharine Wilder, who is not in a relationship currently. However, late Gene had a nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman with whom he was very close. Even at Jordan’s wedding, Gene Wilder served the role of the “parent” of the groom.

Jordan was distraught at his uncle’s death and when Jordan revealed a statement about Gene Wilder’s death, he was titled “Gene’s kid".

In addition, the celebrity daughter, Katharine Wilder is now an actress with multiple movie and tv projects in her hand. She has acted in movies and tv projects like All Is True, Frontier, Anatomy of a Scandal, Call the Midwife, Ready Player One, Adulting and more.

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