Anne Steves is best known as the former wife of Rick Steves. He is a famous American travel writer and TV host. He also created the travel company Rick Steves’ Europe. Anne spent many years beside him as his career grew.
The couple built their family life in Edmonds, Washington. They raised two children, Andy Steves and Jackie Steves. Anne also took part in local charity and housing work during the marriage.
Quick Bio
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anne Jenkins Steves |
| Known For | Former wife of Rick Steves |
| Former Husband | Rick Steves |
| Marriage Year | 1984 |
| Divorce Year | 2010 |
| Children | Andy Steves and Jackie Steves |
| Family Base | Edmonds, Washington |
| Community Work | Housing support for women and families |
| Related Groups | YWCA, Pathways for Women, and local Rotary groups |
Who Is Anne Steves?
Anne Steves became known through her marriage to Rick Steves. Rick built a major career in travel. His work includes books, tours, radio, and public TV. Anne stayed away from that public role.
The couple spent many years raising their family in Washington. Rick often traveled to Europe for work. His trips were part of his books, tours, and TV shows. Family life continued at home while his business grew.
Anne did not become a TV host or travel writer. She also did not seek fame after the marriage ended. Few details about her early life have been made public.
Anne Steves and Rick Steves Marriage
Anne Steves married Rick Steves in 1984. Their marriage lasted about 26 years. It covered much of the period when Rick became a major name in American travel media.
Rick wrote travel books and led European tours. He also taught travel classes and made TV programs. His small business later became Rick Steves’ Europe. The company grew from its base in Edmonds, Washington.
Rick’s work often took him away from home. He spent long periods in Europe for research and filming. He later said his strong focus on work hurt some of his close family ties.
Family Life of Anne Steves
The couple raised Andy Steves and Jackie Steves in Washington. Travel was a normal part of their family life. Both children visited Europe when they were young.
Andy often traveled in Europe with his family. Those trips gave him early knowledge of European cities and travel. Jackie also joined family trips and spent time abroad during her younger years.
The family had strong roots in Edmonds. Rick built his company there. The family also supported local causes near their home. Some of this work focused on housing for women and children.
Anne Steves’ Community Work
Anne Steves supported local charity work during her marriage. She and Rick helped programs for women and families. Their work had links with Pathways for Women, the YWCA, and local Rotary members.
One early project involved housing near their church. The family helped provide property for women who needed support. The goal was to give families a safer place to live.
This work later grew into larger housing efforts. Women and children could live in stable homes while rebuilding their lives. The projects became an important part of the family’s local charity work.
Anne Steves and Trinity Place
Trinity Place became one of the best known projects tied to the family. It was based in Lynnwood, Washington. Several local groups worked together on the housing project.
The project gave women and children a safe place to stay. Many residents were working toward a more stable life. Local volunteers also helped with repairs and care of the property.
The YWCA later became the owner of the housing complex. The property had already helped families for many years. The project became a lasting part of the Steves family’s local community work.
Why Did Anne Steves and Rick Steves Divorce?
The couple divorced in 2010. Their marriage had lasted for about 26 years. The split did not turn into a large public dispute.
Rick later spoke about the demands of his career. He said his work took a toll on his family life. Travel kept him away from home for long periods each year.
Anne did not give a detailed public account of the divorce. No joint statement gave one clear cause. Claims about affairs or secret partners have not been shown as fact.
Rick Steves and His Travel Career
Rick Steves is an American travel writer and TV host. He is also a radio host and tour operator. His company is known as Rick Steves’ Europe.
Rick is known for teaching Americans how to travel through Europe. His work includes guidebooks, TV shows, radio programs, and tours. He has spent decades teaching people about European culture and travel.
He has also supported many charity projects. His giving has included housing and hunger relief. He often connects travel with education and social awareness.
Rick Steves After the Divorce
After the divorce, Rick continued his work in travel. He remained based in Edmonds, Washington. His books, tours, radio work, and TV programs continued.
Rick later began a relationship with Shelley Bryan Wee. She is a Lutheran bishop. Their relationship began years after his marriage to Anne had ended.
Rick has also spoken about the cost of his work. He has said that his strong work drive helped build his career. He has also said it took time away from family life.
Anne Steves as a Mother
Anne Steves is the mother of Andy Steves and Jackie Steves. Both children grew up around travel. They later chose different paths in adult life.
Andy studied at the University of Notre Dame. He later entered the travel business. He created Weekend Student Adventures Europe for students traveling while studying abroad.
Jackie has kept a much lower public profile. She traveled in Europe with her family when she was young. As an adult, she has stayed more private than her father and brother.
Anne Steves’ Life After Divorce
Anne has stayed away from the public spotlight since the divorce. She does not have the same media presence as Rick. Her current daily life is kept private.
Reliable public details about her present work are limited. Her exact home and private relationships are also not widely shared. Anne has not used her past marriage to build a public brand.
Her low profile fits the way she lived during much of the marriage. She was known more through family and local work than through media. That pattern continued after the divorce.
Public Image
Anne Steves is often called Rick Steves’ former wife. Yet her public story also includes family and community work. She helped raise two children during the growth of Rick’s travel career.
Her local housing work also forms part of her public record. She supported projects for women and children in Washington. These efforts connected her family with groups such as the YWCA.
Anne has chosen privacy over fame. She did not turn her divorce into a public career. Her known story remains focused on family, service, and a quiet life outside travel media.
FAQs
Who is Anne Steves?
Anne Steves is the former wife of travel writer and TV host Rick Steves. She is also the mother of Andy Steves and Jackie Steves.
When did Anne Steves marry Rick Steves?
She married Rick Steves in 1984. Their marriage lasted about 26 years before they divorced in 2010.
How many children do Anne and Rick Steves have?
They have two children, Andy Steves and Jackie Steves. Andy later entered the travel business.
Why did Anne and Rick Steves divorce?
Rick later said his heavy work schedule hurt his family life. The former couple did not give one full joint reason for the divorce.
What is Anne Steves doing now?
Anne keeps her present life private. Clear public details about her current work and daily life are limited.