Howard Stern is a man of multiple characters. The self-proclaimed ‘King of all media’ has an array of personalities up his sleeve. The foul-mouthed radio show host could easily get into your nerves or worse bully the guests until they submit. And, still, he wouldn’t care less. But according to his recent interviews, it’s all in the past. The guy has transformed himself to a kinder and generous version. And, this is more or less down to his ex-wife, Alison Berns.
Stern was married to the former actress Alison Berns for over two decades before calling it quits in 2001. According to the 69 year old Stern, he was so shattered from his divorce that he vowed to never get married again. But that plan was quickly dropped to the sides when he married to Beth Ostrosky in 2008.
In his past interviews, Stern revealed that he visited psychotherapist four days a week after the divorce. So who is Alison Berns that caused a massive wave at the head of insecure narcissists?
Alison is a former actress popular for her roles in movies like ‘US Open Sores (1989)’, ‘Private Parts (1997)’, and ‘Negligee and Underpants Party (1988)’. Apart from this, she is known as the ex-wife of Howard Stern.
Contents
How old is Alison Berns?
She turned 69 on May 26th.
How did Alison and Howard meet?
They met when they both were under-grad at Boston University.
How many children does Alison have?
Three. Emily (1983), Deborah (1986), Ashley (1993).
Where is Alison Berns now?
Alison is married to David Scott Simon. And, according to many sources, David is a businessman living in New York.
How much is Alison Berns worth?
Estimated $50 million according to Celebrity Net Worth .
Early Background and Education
Going back to her early life, Alison Berns was born on May 26, 1954. She was born in Newton Center, Massachusetts, USA. The details regarding her parents and family are still under the veil. Therefore, not a single detail about them is available.
But, we do know about Alison’s educational background. She had attended Newton North High School in Newton, Massachusetts. Upon completion, she further went to Boston University to pursue a degree in Social Work. She graduated from the university in 1976. Alison further continued her education and attended Columbian University in New York. She graduated from the University with a Masters’s degree in Social Work with a specialization in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis.
Career Breakthrough
After graduating from Columbian University, Alison started her career as a social worker. She became a licensed clinical social worker and began practicing as a psychotherapist. The social worker apparently turned into an actress after she married radio jockey, Howard Stern. She already had debuted as an actress during college in the documentary made by her then-husband.
Following the release of the show, ‘The Howard Stern Show”, she appeared in three episodes in 1987. The same year she made her debut in the film industry with the comedy movie ‘Negligee and Underpants Party’. She then starred in ‘Us Open Sores’ in 1989.
Berns appeared in various episodes of ‘The Howard Stern Show’ from 1991 to 1993. Since her union with Howard, she has appeared in various talk shows including ‘The Geraldo river Show” on 8th November 1993. Further, she has appeared in E! Network show ‘Howard Stern’ between 1994 and 1998 just before their divorce.
Moreover, her credentials also include the biography comedy movie ‘Private Parts’ released in 1997. However, she didn’t continue the acting gig. A few years later after her marriage, she retired to the working world as a psychotherapist. This decision of hers is still believed to be one of the main reasons behind their divorce.
As of now, she is serving as a psychotherapist in Roslyn Heights in New York. Nevertheless, her career didn’t give her the recognition, she got as being the wife of Howard Stern.
Relationship with Howard Stern
Alison rose to fame not because of her acting, but because of her husband, Howard Stern. Howard Stern is a legendary broadcaster, radio host, writer, and actor. He gained much popularity through his show ‘The Howard Stern Show’ in America.
Their story dates back to the time before Howard’s fame of riches. The duo met at Boston University in 1974. Alison was a Social Work student while Stern was pursuing a degree in Communication media.
As reported, the duo met through their mutual friends. Stern was making a documentary in “Transcendental Meditation” and asked Alsion to be a part of it. Luckily, Alison agreed to be a part of the movie. Eventually, while working together Stern asked her out. Soon after, they began dating soon. The college sweethearts went to watch the movie ‘Lenny’ on their first date. The movie was based on the life of Lenny Bruce who would have a strong influence in Howard’s career.
From this point onwards, Alion became an important part of Stern’s life. She has been very supportive of Howard during his blooming career. and Within weeks of dating, Howard realized she was one in millions and he would marry her. She was his first real girlfriend. They had an offbeat sense of humor and shared a similar background.
The duo was in a relationship in their final two years of college. Stern and Berns continued their relationship after graduation too. After graduating from the University in 1976, Alison further went to Columbia University to have a master’s degree. Likewise, Stern pursued a radio career at the New York-based ad agency ‘Benton & Bowles’. They started living together in New York.
Alison waited until her graduation to marry her boyfriend. Soon after she completed her education in 1978, the duo tied the nuptial knot.
Marriage with Howard Stern
The college sweethearts dated for four years before taking their relationship to the next level. The couple got hitched on June 4, 1978. Their wedding ceremony was held at Ohabei Shalom temple in Brookline, Massachusetts. Their wedding wasn’t a star-studded wedding and only their nearest and dearest were invited for their big day.
The couple continued practicing Transcendental Meditation what started for them in the University after marriage. After four years of their courtship, the duo was blessed daughter Emily Stern. Further, Alison and Howard went on expanding their small family and welcomed Deborah Stern and Ashley Jade Stern respectively.
Alison Berns’ Children: Emily, Deborah, and Ashley
Emily Stern was born on May 7, 1983, in New York, USA. Emily is an American actress and casting director who rose to fame following her dedication to her career. She went to New York University to achieve a degree in theater and acting. The actress has starred in movies like Remember Me released in 2017 and The Elevator Game in 2015. Furthermore, she turned into a singer with her first album ‘Birthday’ launched on October 23, 2013.
Deborah Jennifer was born on May 9, 1986. She tried doing some acting but didn’t reach any stardom as her father has. Deborah pursued her acting with an appearance in a single episode of the show called Parker Lewis Can’t Lose. She also played minor roles in the movies like For the Boys, Nudist Colony of the Dead, and Wide Awake.
Ashely Jade Stern was born on 24 January 1993 in Old West bury, Long Island, New York. Her fame has been only as of the daughter of her popular father, Howard Stern.
Ashley had a rough childhood due to her controversial father image and the divorce of her parents when she was only seven. Her parents Alison and Howard ended their two-decades-long marriage officially in 2001. Alison and Howard’s doomed marriage had a strong impact on their daughter’s life, especially on Emily.
Alison Berns and Howard Stern: Divorce
After being together for 23 years, Alison and Howard decided to end their relationship in October 1999 before making their divorce official in 2001. Alison said her husband made her feel that he was distant and cold. She began to feel alone and the relationship began to strain. Also, his workaholic nature became the prime cause of their separation.
Howard also agreed that he became so focused on work that he neglected his family. In fact, work became more important for him than his family and friends. In an interview with Rolling Stones magazine in 2011, Howard spoke about his divorce from Alison. He stated that:
“My marriage ending blew my mind. I was upset that I failed, let down my family, my kids, my ex-wife; it all was very painful.“
He also added:
‘I felt like such a failure. It’s so complicated, and it’s hard for me to even figure out at this point what went wrong and how things that were so good could go so bad. It’s tough. I think I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to analyze that.’
The other side of their divorce story was revealed by their eldest daughter Emily in an interview with the New York Post. She believed her parents were very much in love and divorce came out of nowhere. Emily further shared that her mom’s decision to be back in the working world broke Howard’s back. Perhaps he couldn’t handle it when she went back to serve as a psychoanalyst.
Alison’s divorce with Howard was one of the high-profile divorces in Hollywood. Many believed Alison walked away with at least Howard’s half wealth and full custody of three daughters including the child support. However, the details regarding their divorce settlement were never made public.
Why Alison Left Howard after 23 years of marriage?
Well, there are pretty convincing speculations on what led to Howard’s and Alison’s marriage downfall. The obvious one is still “Howard” himself. The obnoxious skinny brat was so full of himself that he wouldn’t even care about the sentiments of his wife. One can argue that the guy was sexist in many of his interviews. He even revealed the miscarriage of Alison in the show which was demeaning to her. The guy who made a living out of digging into other people’s private life just didn’t know how to keep his life out of the spotlight.
Then there was his big personality who wouldn’t cave in. In one of his oldest talk shows, he revealed he made his wife cry over a simple dress code.
“We had to go to a rain forest concert which was scheduled to be at 7:30 or 8. But my wife read the time wrong. It was 7 and she didn’t wake me up. Then, she wanted me to change to a black-tie attire as the theme of the concert. I was wearing a white sports jacket and green pants. Then there was a lot of yelling,” Stern revealed.
Stern would always let his professional life dictate his personal life. And, this was probably the start of the end for their 23 years of relationship. He used to work a lot from home. And, he also built a door vault in his basement to avoid distraction from family when he was working from home. Look, we aren’t relationship experts, but if you ask anyone that’s not how you sustain a healthy relationship.
Life Aftermath: Married David Scott Simon
Soon after getting divorced, Alison married David Scott Simon on November 23, 2001. Unlike Alison, David is not in showbiz. He is a businessman in New York. Nevertheless, Simon is only primarily known as the husband of Berns. Besides this, he has no other ties that would connect him with the celebrity world.
The duo doesn’t have children on their own. David has accepted Alison’s kids from her past relationship. Together now they are a family and are spotted celebrating moments together.
Meanwhile Alison’s ex-husband Howard Stern also moved on in his life and got married to Beth Ostrosky. Beth Ostrosky is an actress and a model.
After the divorce, Alison took a break from the spotlight. She became busy with her family and is began working as a Psychotherapist in New York.
Berns’s Net Worth
The former American actress’s net worth is estimated to be $50 million including the amount she earned from her career and divorce settlement with her ex-husband Howard. Their divorce was among the most expensive divorce in Hollywood.
Alison Berns is now living happily with her second husband David Scott Simon away from the limelight. She rarely makes public appearances nowadays.
Could you imagine living with Howard back in those days when he was a lunatic? I feel for his ex-wife.
TBF from all accounts the reason they broke up wasn’t because he was a lunatic it was more because they grew apart because he didn’t want to do anything. He was actually a bit boring off the radio and would just sit in his office all day and night reading. He put this down to his OCD and other problems. He wouldn’t want to go out or leave his office unless it was something extremely important. 🙁
I thought the reason why they finally separated was because Allison just had it with Howard talking about her on air and making jokes about her, and then continuing to joke that he’s going to be in big trouble if she was listening or if somebody they know tells her. I can remember her calling into the radio show being livid at some of the things he was saying.
Yes, I remember all you said! He would also humiliate her all the time and she’d call and cry about how horrible he was.
Then how he talked to the young girls on the show was disgusting. Now he can’t talk that way anymore so he’s gone woke on subjects .
Yes, I remember all you said! He would also humiliate her all the time and she’d call and cry about how horrible he was.
Then how he talked to the young girls on the show was disgusting. Now he can’t talk that way anymore so he’s gone woke on subjects .
I don’t know about that, as soon as he was divorced he was going out all the time and having a lot of fun. Gary said he was tearing all over town every night.
He obviously just wanted out of the marriage and wanted Alison to be the one to call it quits.
How can you day thats obvious? I didn’t know you were personally involved in there relationship. People handle stressful situations and different ways. He got out of a marriage after 20+ years. Of course he’s gonna go out and be adventurous.
I remember her being on the show back in the 90s. Glad to know she rebounded so quickly.
Glad she’s doing well.
It’s not like he left Alison FOR Beth. He actually said he would never get married again multiple times after divorcing Alison, but he ended up falling in love with Beth. ??♀️
Howard stern always asked famous male celebrities if they got married before or after they got famous. And he would then point out if you got married before, then you will leave your wife for a younger woman. Hence that’s exactly what he did, he went Hollywood. And what’s funny is he was quoted in this article as not knowing why they split. He obviously dose, maybe that’s why he spends so much time with a shrink.
He was out of his mind back then. (Howard’s excuse for everything he did that made him crazy wealthy.)
She left him, I believe. I liked him better back then, before the divorce. His aftermath radio persona was annoying. “Marriage is bad”, etc. He became what he once made fun of. He didn’t have to flipflop just because his wife left him.
Last time I listen to Stern he had nice things to say of His wife and their relationship. I’ve only listen to him a few times and thought he was a bit of a pig. I Wondered how anyone could live with his antics on the radio. Saying that, I’m not even sure why I read this article….
I followed Howard when he was trying to break through. I think he accidentally turned his marriage into the circus freak show that was his radio show and his television shows. Alison was unable to deal deal with it, and who would blame her?
Just somebody who started as a nobody with somebody who truly loved him. He got full of himself and turned narcissist. Didn’t care what he said or who he hurt. People loved it, but not his wife. I am sure he loved her at one point, but decided he deserved better, as lots of rich and famous men are looking for a younger woman and admiration. No one will ever love him like Allison. The new wife wouldn ‘t be there if he were not rich and famous. A person really has to have their head on straight to have a successful marriage after fame. Look at Donald Trump and so many others. I am sure some women do the same, but you just don’t hear of it much.
I always suspected things hit the skids after Dana Plato’s death. Howard seemed an egotistical night mare nakknv a living off if belittling and demeaning people particularly women. His wife us a psychotherapist. There’s no doubt that interview he did with Dana was a factor in her taking her life.
Howard has matured so much since his marriage to Beth. They seem very happy together, and I’m happy for them. Sometimes it takes a long time to figure out who we are and what we really want out or life. I’m proud of Howard, especially because my stepfather was very OCD and it was a difficult ride for my mom, but she just blew it off so that was awesome.
Way later than the majority of these comments……we all know that Stern sold out and has never been the same. He’s still Stern, but not the same. It’s actually an improvement for him as a human being, but all of his ego, narcissism, and humor have suffered. He moves ahead regardless….. fame is fame, and they still haven’t figured out how to “cancel” him (never will)…..it’s his demographic that’s changed. No matter the complaints, I can’t think of too many people who would shun a chance to be on the air with him. He has always had a sense of loyalty to the people he works with, so the decision to divorce is something I think HE will never understand. I’m glad they’ve both moved ahead and I hope the kids have dealt with it as best they can
Howard is NOT better now than he was before, he’s worse. He’s more selfish, and he’s more of the stay-home guy than he was with Alison. He doesn’t even go into the studio anymore. He’s Howard Hughes, basically. And once Allison was over, the show was over. Also, Alison, as it states in the beginning of your article, was NEVER an actress.