Stacey Weitzman is an American former public relations professional, podcast host, and longtime wife of Hollywood actor Henry Winkler, famous for playing Fonzie in Happy Days. Although her marriage brought her widespread attention, she established her own career before becoming part of one of Hollywood’s enduring couples.
Her story includes professional success, a blended family, charitable activities, health challenges, and nearly five decades of marriage. From her early work in fashion publicity to her later podcast with daughter Zoe Winkler, she has maintained an identity beyond her husband’s television fame.
Quick Bio
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Known As | Stacey Weitzman, Stacey Winkler |
| Profession | Former public relations professional, podcast host |
| Education | University of Southern California |
| Known For | Career in public relations and marriage to Henry Winkler |
| Husband | Henry Winkler (married 1978) |
| Previous Husband | Howard Weitzman |
| Children | Jed Weitzman, Zoe Winkler, Max Winkler |
| Notable Organization | Children’s Action Network |
| Podcast | What in the Winkler?! |
Who Is Stacey Weitzman?
Stacey Weitzman is best known as the wife of actor, producer, and author Henry Winkler. However, she had already developed a professional background in public relations before meeting the television star in the 1970s.
Her work involved fashion and retail businesses, requiring communication, client management, and relationships with brands. These experiences helped establish her professional identity before Hollywood audiences became familiar with her name.
Over the years, she has appeared alongside Winkler at entertainment events while also participating in family and charitable projects. Her story offers an interesting perspective on balancing an independent career, public attention, and personal responsibilities.
Early Life, Education, and Professional Background
Stacey pursued higher education at the University of Southern California, commonly known as USC. The university is a major institution in Los Angeles with longstanding connections to business, communication, and entertainment.
Specific details about her childhood and early family background have received less attention in established interviews than her professional achievements and marriage.
Following her education, she entered the public relations industry, eventually operating her own firm. This was an important step because it demonstrated her ability to build a business independently of her future husband’s celebrity status.
Stacey Weitzman’s Public Relations Career
Her public relations clients included luxury jewelry company Van Cleef & Arpels, clothing brand Jag, and Jerry Magnin’s, a Beverly Hills retail business.
Public relations work involves helping organizations communicate with customers, journalists, and the wider public. For fashion businesses, this can include coordinating publicity, managing brand image, and promoting products.
Her connection to Jerry Magnin’s would eventually change her personal life. The store became the location where she met Henry Winkler in 1976.
How Did Stacey Weitzman Meet Henry Winkler?
Stacey Weitzman and Henry Winkler met in 1976 at Jerry Magnin’s clothing store in Beverly Hills, California.
At the time, Winkler was enjoying extraordinary popularity because of his portrayal of Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli in the television comedy Happy Days. Stacey was working with the store through her public relations business.
Winkler visited while looking for clothing, and the two were introduced. He later returned to the store, where their conversation developed into a personal connection.
The pair went out for ginger ales, beginning a relationship that eventually led to marriage.
Their Memorable First Date
Their first movie date revealed just how recognizable Winkler had become.
Winkler later explained that he suggested sitting toward the back of the theater, but Stacey did not initially understand his concern. When other moviegoers recognized him, their evening attracted considerable attention.
The experience introduced her to the challenges of dating a television celebrity. Despite those complications, the relationship continued to grow.
Stacey Weitzman and Henry Winkler’s Marriage
After approximately two years together, Stacey Weitzman and Henry Winkler married in 1978 at a synagogue in New York City.
Their wedding took place during an important period in Winkler’s acting career. Happy Days had made him a household name, and the public fascination with Fonzie was still strong.
Celebrity attention sometimes created uncomfortable situations. Stacey later recalled how enthusiastic fans would approach her husband without always recognizing her personal space.
Nevertheless, the couple continued building their relationship and raising their family.
What Makes Their Marriage Last?
In interviews, both Stacey and Henry have discussed the effort required to maintain a lasting relationship.
Stacey has emphasized the importance of growing together rather than expecting two people to remain exactly as they were when they first married.
Winkler has similarly highlighted listening, enjoying shared activities, and maintaining companionship.
They have spoken about spending time together through simple interests such as fly fishing, watching movies, and enjoying their grandchildren. Their marriage illustrates how friendship and mutual understanding can remain important even after decades together.
Stacey Weitzman’s Children and Family Life
Stacey is the mother of three children: Jed Weitzman, Zoe Winkler, and Max Winkler.
Her family combines a child from her first marriage with two children from her marriage to Henry Winkler.
Jed Weitzman
Jed is Stacey’s son from her previous marriage to entertainment attorney Howard Weitzman.
He was approximately four years old when his mother began dating Winkler. Henry eventually became his stepfather, and they developed a close family relationship.
Jed has worked in the entertainment business, including music-related operations.
Zoe Winkler
Zoe was born in 1980 and initially worked in early childhood education.
She later became involved in humanitarian work and co-founded This Is About Humanity, an organization supporting families and children affected by immigration-related challenges.
Zoe also joined her mother in creating a podcast that explores family experiences, entertainment, and personal relationships.
Max Winkler
Max was born in 1983 and followed a creative path within the entertainment industry.
He became a director, writer, and producer, working on television projects including New Girl and American Horror Story.
His experience demonstrates how the Winkler family’s connection to entertainment has continued into another generation.
Stacey Weitzman’s Podcast: What in the Winkler?!
An important development in Stacey’s public career came on October 30, 2024, when she and daughter Zoe launched What in the Winkler?! through iHeartPodcasts.
The mother-and-daughter series explores their experiences growing up and living around Hollywood fame.
Its conversations include family memories, relationships, parenting, and the unusual experiences associated with a famous household.
The podcast also featured appearances and discussions involving other members of the Winkler family and entertainment personalities.
Episodes released in 2025 continued exploring these subjects. The most recent episode listed by iHeartPodcasts is dated May 7, 2025. The program gave Stacey a more direct opportunity to share her perspective rather than appearing only through interviews about Henry Winkler.
Charity Work and Children’s Action Network
Stacey has also participated in charitable efforts centered on children’s welfare.
In 1990, she and Henry Winkler joined other entertainment-industry couples, including Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw, in founding the Children’s Action Network.
The organization has supported initiatives involving children’s health, immunization, adoption, and family welfare.
This involvement represents an important part of her public record beyond fashion publicity and celebrity appearances.
Rather than focusing exclusively on entertainment, she and her husband used their public connections to support causes affecting children and families.
Stacey Weitzman’s Connection to Marlee Matlin
Another meaningful chapter in her family story involves Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin.
Stacey and Henry developed a relationship with Matlin when she was young. Later, when the actress needed somewhere to stay, they welcomed her into their home.
What initially appeared to be a temporary arrangement lasted nearly three years.
Matlin has publicly credited the couple with offering meaningful support during an important period of her personal and professional development.
Their relationship demonstrates another side of Stacey’s family life: the willingness to extend care and support beyond immediate relatives.
Stacey Weitzman’s Breast Cancer Journey
Stacey faced breast cancer during the early 2000s, a difficult period that also affected her husband’s emotional well-being.
Winkler later discussed the experience publicly, acknowledging that he struggled to provide the emotional support he believed she needed during treatment.
He has spoken about attending chemotherapy appointments and subsequently pursuing therapy to understand his own emotional responses.
Stacey’s health experience became part of their broader family story, particularly as Winkler reflected on marriage, personal growth, and communication.
Her medical journey is a personal subject, and reported details should be distinguished from assumptions about her current health.
Did Stacey Weitzman Work as an Actress?
Although public relations was her principal professional background, Stacey also has limited entertainment credits under the name Stacey Winkler or Stacy Winkler.
Film and television databases list a voice appearance in the animated series As Told by Ginger and an acting credit in the 2005 drama The Touch.
She is also credited with casting department work on the 1995 film Safe.
These credits establish that she participated in screen productions, although they do not suggest an extensive professional acting career comparable to her husband’s.
Stacey Weitzman’s Life in 2026
In 2026, Stacey remains publicly associated with her longstanding marriage, adult children, grandchildren, charitable history, and past podcast work.
She and Henry have been married for 48 years, placing their relationship among the more enduring marriages associated with Hollywood.
In September 2026, Stacey and Henry appeared in an interview for In Depth With Graham Bensinger, reflecting on their longstanding marriage and their different approaches to fly fishing. The conversation offered another glimpse into their relationship after nearly five decades together.
Her public life has evolved considerably since the 1970s. She first attracted attention as an entrepreneur dating a famous television actor, later became a mother and children’s advocate, and eventually explored podcasting with her daughter.
Her story shows that she has taken on different roles throughout adulthood while maintaining close relationships with her family.
Conclusion
Stacey Weitzman’s life is about more than being Henry Winkler’s wife. Her professional career, charitable involvement, experiences raising a blended family, and podcast work demonstrate a personal story with several distinct chapters.
Her marriage has lasted through changing careers, family milestones, public attention, and personal difficulties.
Together, these experiences explain why readers remain interested in the woman who has shared nearly five decades of life with one of television’s most recognizable actors.
Also Read: Elisa Gayle Ritter: Family, Husband and Reba McEntire Mix-Up
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Stacey Weitzman?
Stacey Weitzman is a former public relations professional, podcast host, and wife of Happy Days actor Henry Winkler. She is also known for her children’s charity involvement and family life.
How old is Stacey Weitzman in 2026?
Entertainment databases, including IMDb, list her birthday as November 15, 1947, which would make her 78 in October 2026. However, the date has not been independently confirmed through a strong primary biographical source.
Who was Stacey Weitzman’s first husband?
Her first husband was Howard Weitzman, an entertainment attorney. They had a son, Jed Weitzman, before their marriage ended. She later married Henry Winkler in 1978.
How many children does Stacey Weitzman have?
She has three children: Jed Weitzman from her first marriage, and Zoe Winkler and Max Winkler with Henry Winkler.
What did Stacey Weitzman do for a living?
She operated a public relations business with fashion and retail clients. She later participated in charitable activities, made limited screen appearances, and co-hosted What in the Winkler?! with her daughter.
Is Stacey Weitzman still married to Henry Winkler?
Yes. As of October 2026, Stacey and Henry Winkler remain married. They married in 1978 and have maintained their relationship for more than four decades.
One Comment