George R.R. Martin, the celebrated author behind the "A Song of Ice and Fire" saga, has woven intricate tales of love, war, and power in his fictional worlds. In his personal life, Martin's romantic journey has been less tumultuous but equally significant, marked by two publicly known relationships that shaped different periods of his life, culminating in a lasting partnership. His story reflects a progression from an early marriage to a decades-long bond forged in shared interests and mutual support.
Martin's first significant public relationship began with Gale Burnick. The two reportedly met at a Philcon science fiction convention, with their romantic involvement solidifying at the 1974 Worldcon in Washington D.C. Burnick subsequently moved to Chicago to live with Martin, marking the start of their shared life.
The couple married in 1975, with some reports indicating the wedding took place on November 15 of that year. Their marriage lasted for four years, a period during which Martin was beginning to establish himself as a writer. Despite their union, Gale Burnick chose to retain her maiden name, a point she was reportedly adamant about.
Their marriage concluded in 1979 with a divorce. According to Martin's own reflections, the dissolution of their marriage was influenced by the stress of relocation, changes in his burgeoning career, and a separation from other aspects of their lives. This period marked a significant transition for Martin, both personally and professionally, as he became a full-time writer shortly after their separation. There were no children from this marriage.
Following his divorce, Martin's path crossed again with Parris McBride, whom he had initially met at the Kubla Khan Sci-Fi convention in Nashville in 1975, the same year he married Gale Burnick. At that time, Martin was in a relationship with Burnick, and while he and McBride were drawn to each other, they did not immediately begin dating. Their connection deepened after Martin's divorce in the 1980s, leading to the start of their romantic relationship.
Their relationship blossomed over the next three decades, a testament to their deep bond and shared interests within the science fiction and fantasy community. McBride, a blogger and philanthropist, became a steadfast presence in Martin's life, supporting his monumental literary endeavors. She is famously credited with making Martin promise he would never kill off the character Arya Stark in his "A Song of Ice and Fire" series.
After more than thirty years together, George R.R. Martin and Parris McBride married on February 15, 2011, in a small, private ceremony. This intimate event was later followed by a larger wedding reception held on August 19, 2011, at Renovation, the 69th World Science Fiction Convention in Reno, Nevada, allowing them to celebrate their union with friends and colleagues from the community where their relationship began.
Their marriage has been characterized by a strong partnership and mutual support. Parris McBride has been a significant figure in Martin's life, often accompanying him to public events and sharing insights into their life together through her own online presence. The couple has remained in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Martin has resided for many years.
George R.R. Martin and Parris McBride remain married to this day. Their relationship stands as a quiet yet enduring presence in the often-public life of the acclaimed author. They have no children together. Their journey together, spanning over four decades from their initial meeting to their current marriage, exemplifies a deep and private connection that has provided a stable foundation for Martin's prolific career. Their story highlights a preference for privacy while maintaining a public presence within the literary and fan communities that brought them together.