The truth about Don Lemon's first wife: who is Stephanie Ortiz?

The truth about Don Lemon's first wife: who is Stephanie Ortiz?

Stephanie Ortiz and Don Lemon were never together or married; rumours of a relationship or marriage between them are completely false. Stephanie Ortiz is an American model-turned-actress who gained recognition after appearing in award-winning films such as Inside a Change and A Kiss of Chaos. However, she rose to fame due to her affiliation with Don Lemon, an American journalist and television news anchor.

Don Lemon and his first wife, Stephanie Ortiz
Don and Ortiz were rumoured to be a couple, but neither confirmed nor denied their alleged marriage. Photo: @stephanieortiz (modified by author)
Source: UGC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key takeaways

  • Don Lemon and Stephanie Ortiz were never married. The rumours stemmed from tabloid sites in the early 2000s, but no proof was ever provided.
  • Don Lemon is gay and is married to real estate agent Tim Malone.
  • Stephanie Ortiz got married to Bryan in 2020. She has maintained a relatively private life with her new partner.

Stephanie Ortiz's profile summary

Full name

Stephanie Ortiz

Gender

Female

Date of birth

July 17, 1982

Age

44 years (as of 2026)

Zodiac sign

Cancer

Place of birth

California, USA

Nationality

American

Ethnicity

Caucasian

Religion

Christianity

Sexuality

Straight

Height

5 feet 9 inches

Weight

55 kg (approx)

Hair colour

Brown

Eye colour

Brown

Marital status

Married

Husband

Bryan

Children

1

Profession

Actress

Mother

Rita

Brother

Rene Battle

Education

Los Altos High School

Body measurements

34-26-37 inches

Famous as

Don Lemon's first wife

Social media

Instagram

,

(X) Twitter

Net worth

$2 million to $3 million

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Stephanie Ortiz' biography

Stephanie Ortiz is an American actress and former model who gained prominence due to her acting career and rumours of a relationship with American journalist Don Lemon.

When did the rumours about Stephanie Ortiz and Don Lemon start?

The rumours of Stephanie and Don Lemon dating first began around 2003. While the true origin of the rumours is unknown, tabloid-style sites began publishing claims of their marriage, but provided zero evidence or concrete proof.

How old is Don Lemon's first wife?

Stephanie, whose real name is Stephanie Rose Ortiz (age 44 years in 2026), was born in the United States of America on July 17, 1982, in California. Stephanie and her older brother were raised by their mother, Rita. She is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs around 55 kg.

Top 5 facts about Stephanie Ortiz
Top 5 facts about Stephanie Ortiz. Photo: Canva.com (modified by author)
Source: Original

Stephanie Ortiz's career

Stephanie is an American model-turned-actress. She started modelling at a tender age and worked for commercials such as Hellmann's Mayonnaise, Puma, Dr Pepper, and Benetton. Stephanie Ortiz eventually joined the entertainment industry in her early twenties.

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Tv host

Stephanie has also co-hosted the music show The Roof and hosted the program Know, Do, or Die on JuiceTV. She was also a renowned radio show host on La Kalle 105.9 FM, the number one Spanish-speaking station in New York City.

Actress

Stephanie discovered her passion for acting at a tender age. Below are her notable films:

  • 2013: Curdled as Surrogate
  • 2012: Los Blancos as Madeline Blanco
  • 2011: The Grasslands as Philly
  • 2010: The Love Potion as Jessica Bermudez
  • 2009: Inside a Change as Eve
  • 2009: A Kiss of Chaos as Tiffany
I'm passionate about bringing joy and laughter into people's lives. I love how a joyful heart makes a cheerful face. Every day is a blessing, so let's rejoice and be glad in it!

Reads an excerpt from her website.

Who is Stephanie Ortiz's husband?

Stephanie Ortiz got married to Bryan in 2020. She has maintained a relatively private life with her new partner.

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Does Stephanie Ortiz have children?

Stephanie and her husband welcomed their first child, a son, in March 2025.

Who is Don Lemon?

Don Lemon is an American journalist and television news anchor. His career has been marked by his dedication to journalism, versatility in covering various topics, and his role as a prominent news anchor and commentator on CNN.

How old is Don Lemon?

Lemon (age 60 years in 2026) was born on 1 March 1966, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. He is of American nationality and grew up in a working-class family.

Is Don Lemon gay?

Don publicly came out as gay in his 2011 memoir titled Transparent, where he shared personal reflections on his life and career, including details about his sexuality. Since then, he has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has been open about his experiences as a gay man in the public eye.

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Who is Don Lemon's partner?

Don Lemon is married to Tim Malone. They got engaged in April 2019 and subsequently married. Tim Malone is a real estate agent who has demonstrated his expertise and dedication to his work, helping clients navigate the complexities of the real estate market.

Tim Malone and Don Lemon at IFC Center
Tim Malone and Don Lemon are at the Cinema Society Screening of "Monica" at the IFC Center in New York City. Photo by Arturo Holmes
Source: Getty Images

How did Don Lemon meet his fiancé?

Lemon and Malone first met in 2015 at the lively French bistro Almond in New York. Their connection blossomed, and they began dating shortly after. The celebrity couple got engaged on April 6, 2019.

Don Lemon's career

Lemon began his career in journalism in the 1990s, working for local television stations in Birmingham, Alabama, and later in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Chicago, Illinois. During this time, he gained experience as a reporter and anchor.

NBC News (2003 - 2006)

Lemon joined NBC News as a correspondent and worked on various programs, including NBC Nightly News and Today. He covered significant events such as Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.

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Don Lemon at Jazz at Lincoln Center
Don Lemon at the 2023 TIME100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris
Source: Getty Images

CNN (2006 - 2023)

Don Lemon joined CNN in 2006. Over the years, he has become one of the network's prominent anchors. He has hosted several programs, including CNN Tonight with Don Lemon. In addition to hosting, Lemon has covered major news events, conducted interviews, and analysed various issues.

Authorship

In addition to his television work, Don Lemon has authored books. One of his notable books is Transparent, published in 2011, where he shares personal stories and reflections on his life and career.

What is Don Lemon doing now?

Don was fired by CNN on April 24, 2023, due to CNN's difficulties in securing guests to go on air with him. Don has attended various events, such as the Times 100 Gala in New York City, where he said he was not mad about his firing.

Don Lemon currently hosts his independent digital program, The Don Lemon Show, on YouTube and major podcast platforms while fighting federal charges related to his reporting.

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What is Stephanie Ortiz's net worth?

Ortiz's net worth ranges from $300,000 to $500,000, according to unconfirmed online sources. However, the actress has not publicly disclosed her net worth. She has amassed her wealth from her career in the entertainment industry.

Stephanie Ortiz having a good time
Stephanie is an American model-turned-actress. Photo: @stephanieortiz (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Above is all we know about Stephanie Ortiz. Stephanie and Don were rumoured to be a couple, and news about their alleged secret wedding took the world by storm. However, there is no evidence to support this claim. Also, neither Don nor Ortiz has confirmed or denied their alleged marriage.

Briefly published an article about Kris Kristofferson, an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actor famous for hit songs, including Me and Bobby McGee. He has also appeared in various films, including A Star Is Born (1976), for which he received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.

But beyond his successful 61-year-old career in the entertainment industry, the star is a loving husband and father. So, who are Kris Kristofferson's children?

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Bennett Yates avatar

Bennett Yates (Lifestyle writer) Bennett Yates is a content creator with over six years of working experience in journalism and copywriting. He graduated from the University of Nairobi (2017) with a Bachelor's in Information Technology. In 2023, Bennett finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. He has worked for Briefly.co.za for six years now. He specializes in topics like technology, entertainment, travel, lifestyle and sports. You can reach him via email at bennetyates@gmail.com.

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