Wendy Ballew is the ex-wife of Steve Madden. Wendy Ballew’s former husband, Steven Madden is the founder of a publicly traded company that designs and markets shoes and fashion accessories called Steve Madden Ltd, based in New York. He is also known to have been jailed in 2002, for stock manipulation, money laundering and securities fraud.
In this article, we have all the information on the ex-wife of one the biggest fashion billionaires. We also have important facts about their marriage. Keep reading to be informed!!
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Wendy Ballew Age, Birthplace, Nationality, Wikipedia
Wendy Ballew was born in the United States, but her exact date and place of birth is unknown. Her nationality is American and her ethnicity is white. There is no available information on who her parents are or any close family relative.
From her ex-husband’s book titled The Cobbler, it was stated that she is from Oregon. She moved from her Oregon to the city to re-invent herself and create a life in the city. There is a possibility that her family were all from Oregon.
Wendy is described as someone with a beautiful green eyes and a quite countenance. She is also stylish and has big features, which makes her look exotic.
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She has not disclosed any information on her educational background. She seem like a very private and has kept most of her personal information away from the public.
Wendy Ballew started her career by working as her ex-husband. Steven Madden’s assistant. Though her designated role was to work as assistant, she also worked as customer service representative, office manager, secretary and receptionist, all in one. She eventually became the director of operations for Steve Madden Ltd.
She has good communication skills, and was there to solve issues between customers and her ex-husband, anytime issues arises. She looked for new ways to run her husband’s company.
Steve Madden in his book, The Cobbler, attributed the early success of his company to Wendy. He stated that ” Wendy smoothed everything over, kept me in line, organized the complicated shipping and receiving process”.
Wendy Ballew and Steve Madden marriage
Wendy met Steve when she was only 19 years old, at a time she had moved from her state Oregon to the city to reinvent her life. At the time they met. Wendy was dating a friend of Steve called Greg, so the idea of Steve dating her anytime did not cross his mind.
Their relationship was solely professional until Steve was jailed due to some financial crimes. During his stay in prison, Wendy visited him more often and the two fell in love.
‘The romance started when I was in prison,’ Steve said in a post prison interview with Page Six. ‘And I looked forward to her visits . . . it’s such a heartbreaking thing to be in prison. And she made it better for me.
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Steve proposed to Wendy in the visiting room of of Federal Correctional Complex Coleman in Ocala, Florida. In 2005, upon his release from prison, he went ahead to marry Wendy.
The two former lovers were married from 2005 to 2015, ten years. Their union produced three children The children are Goldie Ryan Madden, Stevie Madden and Jack Madden.
In an interview, Wendy Ballew revealed that she and her former husband divorced due to Steve’s obsession with female shoes. She also made it known that the only time she had the full attention of her husband was when he was in prison.
Their divorce was finalized amicably and both of them have stayed single ever since. ‘They have amicably and successfully formalized the dissolution of their almost 10-year marriage by way of agreement, the terms of which are private and confidential,’ Richard Johnson of Page Six, wrote after his interview with the couple.
How much is Wendy Ballew worth?
Wendy worked with her ex-husband since she was nineteen years old. She started as his assistant and also occupied many other roles which were vacant at that time till she became the director of operations
Her personal net worth has not been revealed, but that of her ex-husband, Steve is estimated around $300 million dollars. He makes his money solely from his shoe and fashion company, which he started in 1990 with only $1000.
Steve’s company now generates over $1.5 billion revenue per year, with a market value of $3.5 billion.