Marta Fitzgerald lived much of her life outside the spotlight before her marriage brought her wider attention. She worked in different professional fields and built a life connected with journalism, publishing, and fitness.
She became widely known as the third wife of American radio personality Rush Limbaugh. Their relationship lasted for many years, including a decade of marriage, before the couple eventually divorced in 2004.
Her story also includes an earlier marriage, two children, career changes, and years of private living. This article explores Marta Fitzgerald’s background, relationships, professional journey, marriage, divorce, and later life.
Who Is Marta Fitzgerald?
Marta Fitzgerald is an American journalist, writer, former publisher, editor, and aerobics instructor. She was born on December 10, 1960, in Titusville, Florida, United States, and spent part of her professional life in journalism.
She is mainly recognized because of her former marriage to Rush Limbaugh. Marta became his third wife in 1994. Their relationship placed her beside one of America’s most recognizable radio personalities during an important period of his career.
Before Rush, Marta was married to Tom Fitzgerald and had two children from that marriage. Following her second divorce, she gradually moved away from public attention and began living a much quieter and more private life.
Marta Fitzgerald’s Early Life
Marta Fitzgerald was born in Titusville, Florida, on December 10, 1960. She is American and grew up before becoming connected with the entertainment and media world through her professional work and later marriage.
Her early years were largely separate from celebrity culture. Marta eventually developed interests in journalism, writing, publishing, and fitness. These different interests allowed her to experience several career paths instead of remaining in only one profession.
Before becoming widely recognized through Rush Limbaugh, Marta had already experienced marriage and motherhood. Her first marriage became an important chapter of her personal life because she welcomed two children during that relationship.
Marta Fitzgerald’s Age and Birthday
Marta Fitzgerald was born on December 10, 1960. Her birthday falls under the Sagittarius zodiac sign. She turned 65 years old in December 2025 and is 65 as of September 2026.
Her life has included several distinct periods. She worked as an aerobics instructor, entered journalism, became involved with publishing, married twice, raised children, and experienced years of considerable media attention during her relationship with Rush Limbaugh.
Despite being associated with a famous public figure, Marta eventually chose a different direction. Her later years have been much quieter, with her personal activities receiving far less attention than during her marriage.
Marta Fitzgerald’s Career
Marta Fitzgerald explored several professional fields during her working years. She has been described as a journalist and writer, while her career history also includes experience in fitness, editing, and publishing.
At one point, Marta worked as an aerobics instructor. Fitness was therefore part of her professional life before journalism became a stronger focus. In 1993, she secured an internship at the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville.
Her professional journey later moved toward publishing. Rather than being known exclusively because of her marriage, Marta attempted to establish projects of her own and gained experience working with written content and magazine publishing.
Her Work as a Publisher and Editor
One notable part of Marta Fitzgerald’s professional story came in 1997. She launched a magazine called Vent, which was created for young adults between the ages of 18 and 24.
The magazine represented Marta’s attempt to build something independently within publishing. However, Vent had a short run and stopped publication after only three issues. The project therefore never developed into a long-running publication.
After the magazine ended, Marta returned to teaching aerobics classes. Her career history shows movement between different interests, particularly journalism, publishing, writing, editing, and physical fitness.
Marta Fitzgerald’s First Marriage
Before meeting Rush Limbaugh, Marta was married to Tom Fitzgerald. This relationship was an important part of her earlier adult life and also made her a mother before she entered her second high-profile marriage.
Marta and Tom Fitzgerald had two children together. They welcomed a son and a daughter. Their children remained outside the celebrity attention that later surrounded Marta after she became romantically involved with Rush Limbaugh.
The first marriage eventually ended in divorce in 1992. By this point, Marta had already started communicating with Limbaugh, beginning a new chapter that would eventually lead to her second marriage.
How Marta Fitzgerald Met Rush Limbaugh
Marta Fitzgerald’s connection with Rush Limbaugh began in 1990 through CompuServe, an early online communication service. She reportedly used the screen name “Jacksonville Jaguar” when she first contacted the radio personality.
Her initial reason for contacting Limbaugh involved a disagreement concerning criticism of former President Ronald Reagan by one of her university professors. Marta wanted advice about how she could challenge the professor’s position.
Her first attempt apparently received no response. Marta contacted Limbaugh again and strongly criticized him for ignoring her. The second communication attracted his attention, leading to a reply and continued correspondence between them.
Marta and Rush Limbaugh’s Relationship
After their initial communication, Marta and Rush continued corresponding. What began through an online service gradually developed into a personal connection, making their relationship unusual for a period when online communication was still relatively new.
Marta divorced Tom Fitzgerald in 1992. She subsequently began dating Rush and became increasingly visible alongside him. Their relationship brought her into social circles and events connected with his growing public profile.
During their time together, Marta accompanied Rush to several notable occasions and destinations. These included the Super Bowl as well as trips to places such as Israel and New Orleans, giving her greater exposure to his public lifestyle.
Marta Fitzgerald and Rush Limbaugh’s Wedding
Marta Fitzgerald married Rush Limbaugh on May 27, 1994. She became Limbaugh’s third wife, beginning a marriage that would eventually last approximately ten years.
Their wedding took place at the Virginia residence of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Thomas officiated the ceremony. The occasion also included notable guests, including William Bennett.
Marriage placed Marta much closer to the public world surrounding Limbaugh. Rush was already a highly recognized radio personality, meaning interest in his personal relationships naturally brought additional attention to Marta during their years together.
Life During Her Marriage to Rush Limbaugh
Marta and Rush spent much of their married life in Florida. Their lifestyle included an impressive Palm Beach property that became closely associated with Limbaugh during the later years of his career.
Rush purchased his Palm Beach oceanfront compound in 1998 for approximately $3.9 million. Marta was married to him when the property was purchased, and the couple lived there during their marriage.
Marta also purchased a home at 108 Mediterranean Road in 2000 for approximately $2.3 million. By this stage, she had spent several years living alongside one of America’s most successful radio personalities.
Did Marta Fitzgerald Have Children With Rush Limbaugh?
Marta Fitzgerald and Rush Limbaugh did not have children together during their marriage. However, Marta was already a mother before marrying him because she had two children from her relationship with Tom Fitzgerald.
Her children are a son and a daughter. They did not develop the same public profile that surrounded Marta during her marriage to Limbaugh, allowing their lives to remain largely separate from media attention.
Motherhood therefore began during Marta’s first marriage rather than her second. Her family history is sometimes overshadowed by her connection with Limbaugh, but her two children remain an important part of her personal story.
Marta Fitzgerald and Rush Limbaugh’s Divorce
After approximately ten years of marriage, Marta Fitzgerald and Rush Limbaugh decided to separate. Their marriage formally came to an end in 2004, closing a relationship that had begun through online correspondence more than a decade earlier.
Rush announced their separation on his radio program in June 2004. He described the decision as mutual and said their separation was not connected with his legal difficulties or his acknowledged problems involving prescription painkillers.
For Marta, the separation represented her second divorce. She had previously ended her marriage to Tom Fitzgerald in 1992 before eventually marrying Rush two years later.
Marta Fitzgerald’s Life After Divorce
Marta Fitzgerald largely withdrew from public attention following her divorce from Rush Limbaugh. The media exposure surrounding her became significantly smaller as she stopped regularly appearing alongside a nationally recognized public figure.
This quieter lifestyle has made her later years different from the decade she spent married to Rush. Her professional activities and everyday personal life have attracted relatively little attention since the marriage ended.
Her decision to remain outside the spotlight also means that most discussions about her continue to focus on her earlier career, two marriages, children, publishing experience, and relationship with Limbaugh rather than her recent activities.
Rush Limbaugh’s Marriages
Rush Limbaugh was married four times during his life. His first marriage was to Roxy Maxine McNeely. They married in 1977 and divorced in 1980 after approximately three years together.
His second wife was Michelle Sixta. Their marriage began in 1983 and ended in 1990. Marta Fitzgerald became his third wife after their wedding in 1994, and their marriage ended in 2004.
Rush later married Kathryn Adams in 2010. They remained married until he died in 2021. Marta’s approximately ten-year marriage was therefore one of the significant long-term relationships of his adult life.
Marta Fitzgerald’s Net Worth
Marta Fitzgerald’s net worth has been estimated at approximately $5 million. Her financial story includes her own professional ventures as well as the years she spent married to Rush Limbaugh.
She worked in several areas during her career, including journalism, publishing, editing, writing, and fitness. Her attempt to launch Vent magazine also demonstrated her interest in creating an independent publishing venture.
Rush Limbaugh, meanwhile, accumulated considerably greater wealth during his broadcasting career. His fortune was estimated at approximately $600 million around the time of his death, reflecting his decades of success in American radio.
Where Is Marta Fitzgerald Now?
Marta Fitzgerald has maintained a low profile since ending her marriage to Rush Limbaugh. Unlike the years when she regularly appeared in connection with him, she has largely stayed away from sustained public attention.
Her quieter life has made her present-day activities less visible. She has not maintained the kind of public career that would regularly place details about her personal or professional life before a large audience.
As a result, Marta is still mainly remembered through earlier chapters of her life. These include her journalism background, work as an aerobics instructor, publishing career, two children, and decade-long marriage to Limbaugh.
Final Thoughts
Marta Fitzgerald is best known as Rush Limbaugh’s third wife, but her life includes much more than that relationship. She worked in journalism, publishing, writing, editing, and fitness during different stages of her career.
Her personal journey included two marriages and motherhood. She had a son and daughter with her first husband, Tom Fitzgerald, before beginning her relationship with Rush and marrying the radio personality in 1994.
After her second marriage ended in 2004, Marta chose a much quieter life. Her limited public presence since then has kept attention centered mainly on her earlier career, family background, and marriage to Rush Limbaugh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Marta Fitzgerald?
Marta Fitzgerald is an American journalist, writer, former publisher, editor, and aerobics instructor. She is widely recognized as the third wife of late American radio personality Rush Limbaugh.
How old is Marta Fitzgerald?
Marta Fitzgerald was born on December 10, 1960, in Titusville, Florida. She turned 65 years old in December 2025 and is 65 years old as of September 2026.
How long were Marta Fitzgerald and Rush Limbaugh married?
Marta Fitzgerald and Rush Limbaugh married on May 27, 1994. Their marriage lasted approximately ten years before they separated and divorced in 2004.
Does Marta Fitzgerald have children?
Yes. Marta Fitzgerald has two children, a son and a daughter, from her first marriage to Tom Fitzgerald. She and Rush Limbaugh did not have children together.
What does Marta Fitzgerald do now?
Marta has maintained a private lifestyle since her divorce from Rush Limbaugh. She previously worked in journalism, publishing, editing, writing, and fitness, including working as an aerobics instructor.
You May Also Read: Marilyn Nault: The Untold Story of Bill Russell’s Third Wife
