The blunt persona of the self-proclaimed “King of all Media,” Howard Stern, is perhaps his most striking trait. And while many found it averting, I’ve always liked his care-for-nothing “shock jock” approach to issues.
Speaking of issues, Stern was married to the former American actress Alison Berns. But after over two decades together, the couple abruptly decided to call it quits, confusing their fans.
Since then, the public has been wondering about the cause of their separation. And their mysterious divorce became the controversy that would follow Stern throughout his career.
But who is Alison Berns? What caused Alison Berns to leave Howard Stern? What happened to Alison Berns after their split? Let me answer all your queries about Howard Stern’s former wife below.
Alison Berns Profile
Here’s a glance at Alison Bern’s details:
Full Name: Alison Berns Simon
Age: 69 (March 2024)
Date of Birth: May 26, 1954
Place of Birth: Newton, Massachusetts, United States of America
Nationality: American
Profession: Former TV actress
Status: Married
Spouse: David Scott Simon
Children: 3
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Robert Berns
Siblings: Unknown
Education: Newton North High School, Boston University
Current Address: Old Westbury, New York, United States
Estimated Net Worth: $50 million (April 2024)
Who is Alison Berns?
As a former actress and radio personality, Alison Berns spent considerable time in the limelight. From her striking appeal and bubbly personality, Berns left an unforgettable mark in the industry.
Her life off the screen remained shrouded in mystery, though. So, here’s everything you should know about Alison Berns, from her childhood to the actress’s eventual split with Howard Stern.
Early Life
Alison Berns was born on May 26, 1954. We know her father’s name is Robert Berns, but we have little information about her mother or whether she has siblings.
Berns was born and raised in Newton, Massachusetts. She attended Newton North High School as a teen and graduated in 1972.
She studied at Boston University for a social work degree after high school. However, Berns later moved to Columbia University to continue her studies.
After receiving her bachelor’s, Berns began a career in social work. Details about the nature of her work vary, though. Some sources report her becoming a licensed clinical social worker practicing psychotherapy.
Rise to Fame
Berns started to become interested in acting when she was in college. She first debuted as an actor in a documentary film produced by her former husband.
However, her affiliation with the then-rising multimedia celebrity Howard Stern prompted Berns’s career to reach the big screen.
Stern began to carve a name in the entertainment industry after graduating with a specialization in communication.
He first worked as a radio host in New York but later decided to “mess around” with his wild antics on set. His bosses didn’t like Stern’s unique style as a deejay, which kicked him out of the payroll multiple times.
After getting fired from WNBC-AM in 1985, Stern signed with the New York City-based WXRK, launching his iconic “The Howard Stern Show” on air.
The release of Stern’s popular radio talk pulled her then-wife Alison Berns further into the spotlight.
In 1987, Berns appeared in three episodes of The Howard Stern Show. Immediately after her first appearance, she landed her first prominent role in the comedy film Negligee and Underpants Party.
She became a frequent guest and co-host in the show between 1991 and 1993. With significant public exposure in her resume, Alison Berns would receive several acting gigs, both TV series and films.
Beyond her husband’s, Berns also appeared in several talk shows, including The Geraldo Rivera Show in 1993.
Notable Works
Here’s a list of Alison Bern’s noteworthy works in the industry:
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- The Howard Stern Show (1987)
- Negligee and Underpants Party (1988)
- U.S. Open Sores (1989)
- The Geraldo Rivera Show (1993)
- Private Parts (1997)
Alison Berns Relationships
From an outsider’s perspective, everything would seem happy and perfect. Their relationship as a married couple was thriving, and the couple’s careers were soaring—sounds like a good deal, right? So what happened?
Let me take you on a brief stroll down the couple’s memory lane.
Meeting Howard Stern
It was 1974, and Alison Berns was a student at Boston University studying for her degree. Stern was majoring in communications at the same institution.
Like a cheesy novel plot, the two met in the most cliched way: on a rainy day.
Stern was with his friend on their way to a college party when it started pouring. Because of the downpour, they went to a friend’s house to dry their hair.
He was on his way to fix his curls when he saw Alison conversing with a friend. Recalling their first meeting, Stern admitted to finding Berns was “just [his] type” and “real cute.”
Berns, however, was repelled by Stern’s quirky personality. After their first meeting, she thought of him as the “largest asshole” in the room.
Stern, on the other hand, initially thought she was way out of his league. But after getting to know Berns, he steeled his courage to pursue her.
Dating Howard Stern
The relationship of the two started to change when they began working together for a documentary film.
Stern decided to make a junior film project around Bern’s interest in meditation. Committed to getting closer to Berns, he invited her repeatedly to feature in the documentary until she caved in.
The movie was a smashing success. With the project selected as the best in the block, Stern finally gathered the courage and asked the charming Alison Berns out.
Berns immediately agreed, and they started dating throughout their college years.
Alison Berns graduated from Boston University with her social work degree in 1976. She then moved to New York and pursued her master’s at Columbia University.
They tied the knot on June 4, 1978, after completing Bern’s master’s. Surrounded by friends and family, they exchanged their vows at the Temple Ohabei Shalom in Massachusetts.
Marriage with Howard Stern
The college sweethearts spent pleasant years as a husband and wife. Their union paved the way for countless opportunities, thrusting the couple’s careers at the forefront.
Four years into their marriage, Berns became pregnant with their first child. Unfortunately, they lost the baby from miscarriage after six weeks of pregnancy. The couple was heartbroken.
Stern and Berns didn’t let the tragedy harm their relationship, though. Ultimately, fate would bless them with three daughters: Emily Beth, Debra Jennifer, and Ashley Jade.
As with regular couples, Stern and Berns’s marriage wasn’t all candies and rainbows. Throughout their years together, they would fall into arguments and misunderstandings.
One particular incident occurred in 1994 when Stern was airing his take on their miscarriage. On the show, he rages at the possibility of his drug history causing the loss of their first child.
Berns was upset by Stern’s confessions in the show. According to reports, she spent the whole night shouting at his husband.
Their bitter-sweet marriage story became the basis for Howard Stern’s movie Private Parts, in which Alison Berns appeared as a cameo.
The Controversial Divorce from Howard Stern
Alison Berns had been with Howard Stern since his days at university, long before the radio star’s rise to celebrity status. As such, fans were shocked by their sudden decision to split. But is it?
On April 10, 1995, listeners of The Howard Stern Show bore witness to a vicious argument between the pair. The lover’s spat happened while Stern was on air and recorded by the studio.
The eventual divorce happened six years later. But sources speculated that the incident might be the tip of the iceberg, setting the stage for the pair drifting apart.
In that particular episode, Stern told his co-host, Robin Quivers, about their argument one night before. Disagreeing with their sleeping situation, Stern admitted throwing Berns out of the bedroom in the middle of the night.
After his live confession, producer Gary Dell’Abate called Alison Berns and put her on air, sparking the heated conversation.
“You have some nerve,” Berns told Stern, not listening to his explanation. “I am not going to be laughed at,” the furious Alison Berns added.
She then made a startling comment about his then-husband, naming him abusive, insensitive, and self-centered. “You think you’re the only one in the world,” continued Berns.
Then, venting her frustration, she exclaimed: “I never would have gotten involved with you if I knew you were going to change into this!”
During the scrabble, Stern would attempt to apologize to her livid wife. Berns dismissed his words of regret, calling him “insincere” and that he should “find a hotel” to sleep in.
From there, the relationship between Stern and Berns continued to turn sour. Alison Berns and Howard Stern finalized their divorce in 2001 after 23 years of marriage.
Howard Stern’s Reaction to the Split
Berns’s separation from Stern greatly affected the radio rock star. In a 2011 interview with the Rolling Stones, he revealed that his divorce from his wife of 23 years remains a painful and uncomfortable memory for him.
Stern noted that Berns was never a wrong person and was “really great” throughout their marriage. He pointed out his regret for the damage their separation caused their children.
Disappointed and miserable, the jock shock host feared how his children’s view of him would change. Finally, the dread of losing his children spurred Stern into a transformational journey.
The change is that Stern is now married to actress and model Beth Othrosky. They wed in 2008 at a restaurant in Manhattan, seven years after Stern and Alison Berns’s separation.
In 2019, Stern published another best-selling book titled Howard Stern Comes Again. In the new book, he dismissed his previous works and conveyed his desire to separate from his “nasty blabbermouth” persona.
What is Alison Berns doing now?
Alison Berns retired from her acting career in 1990. Using her social work degree, she started teaching and practicing psychotherapy.
After finalizing her divorce from Howard Stern, Alison Berns began dating David Scott Simon. They wed after a few months of dating, tying the knot on November 23, 2001.
Unlike Berns, Simon isn’t active in showbiz. Aside from being an entrepreneur based in New York, no further information about his life is available.
Alison Berns and Howard Stern’s Children
Before going their separate ways, Alison Berns and Howard Stern’s marriage resulted in three wonderful children. Here’s all you need to know about Emily Beth, Debra Jennifer, and Ashley Jade.
Emily Beth Stern
Emily Beth, the oldest daughter, was born on May 7, 1983. Growing up at the height of Stern’s career, her family discouraged her from listening to his father’s radio show.
In an interview with The Jewish Journal, Emily revealed her dislike after listening to the talk show for the first time. “That isn’t my dad. Who is this?” she remembered thinking.
That said, Emily was deeply heartbroken from her parent’s divorce. In a 2015 New York Post interview, she expressed her surprise at the split, saying it “came out of nowhere.”
Emily Beth Stern is a photographer, singer, and actress. She has a degree in theater arts and appeared in several stage productions. She likes to write poetry and shares her work on her website.
Debra Jennifer Stern
Debra Jennifer is the second daughter of Stern and Berns. She was born on May 9, 1986, in Long Island, New York.
Preferring peaceful living, Debra opted to stay out of the spotlight throughout her life. She’s currently married to Colin Christy and has one daughter.
Ashley Jade Stern
Stern and Berns welcomed their youngest daughter, Ashley Jade, on January 24, 1993. She was only eight when her parents filed for divorce.
Like her older sister, Debra, Ashley kept her life private and away from the media. She got married recently, which Stern described as a “very emotional” weekend on his show.
Final Thoughts
There you go! That’s the untold story of Alison Berns, from her destined meeting with Howard Stern up to their controversial separation two decades after a long, fruitful marriage.
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