Ina Garten's Life Without Children

Let me tell you something about Food Network star Ina Garten. She’s all about crafting delicious recipes that bring families together, but here’s an interesting twist—Ina, 74, and her husband, Jeffrey Garten, have been happily married since 1968, and they’ve chosen not to have children. Now, that’s a pretty bold move, right? But Ina is perfectly content with her decision and shares her perspective openly.

Back in April 2017, Ina Garten sat down with Katie Couric for her podcast and got really candid about her life choices. “It’s a choice, and that was the choice I made,” Ina shared confidently. “I truly appreciate that other people have kids, and we’ll always have friends who have children that we’re close to. But it was a decision I made very early in life.”

Ina Garten Jeffrey Garten — Shutterstock

Life Choices and No Regrets

Ina Garten explained that she felt her life would not have been the same if she had chosen to have children. “I really felt, and still feel, that I wouldn’t have been able to have the life I’ve had,” she revealed. Now, Katie Couric, who’s a proud mom to two kids—Elinor, 30, and Caroline, 26—asked Ina if she ever felt judged by other parents. Ina’s response was refreshing: she’s never felt judged, and she doesn’t think people looked down on her for this choice.

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“I never felt that people judged me,” Ina, the author of Make It Ahead, explained. “A lot of people’s social circles revolve around their kids’ friends’ parents. So, we never had that connection with other people that I see, that network. But no, I never felt judged by it—maybe people did, but I didn’t notice.”

Ina and Jeffrey: A Match Made in Heaven

For Ina, Jeffrey, 75, is all she needs. Their love story began when Jeffrey, the author of A Cold Peace, was still a student at Dartmouth College. He met Ina when she was visiting her brother at the school. Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Jeffrey saw Ina walking around campus and immediately took notice.