Who Is Alison Berns? Meet Howard Stern’s First Wife

Alison Berns is best known as the first wife of American radio host Howard Stern. The two met while studying at Boston University and were married for more than two decades. They had three daughters before separating in 1999 and divorcing in 2001. Alison has mostly stayed away from public attention since the divorce.

Quick Facts

Alison Berns’ Early Life

Alison Berns was reportedly born on May 26, 1954, in Massachusetts.

Little reliable information is available about her childhood. The names of her parents and siblings are not well documented in the available sources.

She later attended Boston University, where she met Howard Stern.

How Did Alison Berns Meet Howard Stern?

Howard described meeting Alison in his 1997 book Private Parts.

According to his account, Howard was heading to a party with friends when it started raining. The group stopped at the nearby home of a friend named Ilyse so Howard could dry his hair.

While walking through the house, he saw Alison talking in the kitchen. Howard was attracted to her but initially believed she was out of his league.

They later met again at Boston University’s Student Union.

Howard Stern Asked Alison to Appear in His Student Film

Howard was working on a junior film project at Boston University and used it as an opportunity to spend time with Alison.

He asked her to appear in the project. Alison initially declined because she had responsibilities involving children from a youth group.

She eventually agreed.

The project included scenes of Alison meditating on rocks. Howard later wrote that his professors selected the film as the best project in the class.

Howard then told Alison how he felt about her, and they began dating.

According to his account, he believed within about a week that they would eventually marry.

Alison Berns and Howard Stern’s Marriage

Alison and Howard married in 1978.

Their relationship began before Howard became one of the best-known radio personalities in the United States.

Their marriage lasted for more than two decades.

Howard later wrote extensively about Alison and their relationship in Private Parts. Their marriage was also an important part of the story presented in the 1997 film adaptation.

Alison Berns Experienced a Miscarriage

Several years into their marriage, Alison and Howard decided to have children.

According to an account based on Howard’s book, they tried to conceive while vacationing in Aruba.

Alison became pregnant, and they shared the news with her family in Boston.

At around six weeks, Alison suffered a miscarriage.

They later went on to have three daughters together.

Alison Berns and Howard Stern’s Children

Alison and Howard have three daughters:

• Emily Beth Stern
• Deborah Jennifer Stern
• Ashley Jade Stern

Howard has said that the children had a difficult time when their parents separated.

Alison has generally kept details about her daughters and family life private.

Alison Berns’ Career

Alison’s exact professional history is unclear.

Many online biographies describe her as a psychotherapist. Others describe her as a teacher or former actress.

The available sources do not provide enough reliable information about her professional qualifications, employers, or career dates to confirm all of these claims.

Some websites have also called her a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, and there is not enough reliable evidence in the available information to confirm that Alison held that profession.

Alison’s Appearances in Howard Stern’s Projects

Alison appeared in projects connected with Howard during their relationship.

Secondary sources link her to programs or projects such as Negligee and Underpants Party, U.S. Open Sores, and The Howard Stern Show.

She has also been reported as appearing in Private Parts.

However, some online accounts give inconsistent details about these credits. It is safer to describe them as reported media appearances rather than a major independent acting career.

Alison Berns and The Howard Stern Show

Alison was sometimes involved in Howard’s radio world during their marriage.

Reports say she would call into The Howard Stern Show when she believed Howard had gone too far.

She was sometimes unhappy when he discussed private details about their marriage or flirted with women on air.

Howard reportedly kept their daughters from listening to the more adult content on his show.

Who Is Howard Stern?

Howard Stern is an American radio and television personality, author, and entertainer.

He became widely known through The Howard Stern Show.

He has also written books, including Private Parts, which was adapted into a 1997 movie.

Alison knew Howard before he became wealthy and famous. Their relationship began during their college years and continued through much of his rise in radio.

Why Did Alison Berns and Howard Stern Divorce?

Alison and Howard separated in 1999 after about 21 years of marriage. Their divorce was finalized in 2001.

There is no single confirmed reason for their divorce.

One secondary source claims Alison’s work habits caused the breakup, but this is not well supported.

Howard has instead suggested that his demanding career and other pressures may have contributed to their problems.

In a 2011 interview, he said he still had difficulty understanding exactly what went wrong.

He also said that he felt he had failed Alison and their children when the marriage ended.

Howard Stern’s Comments About Alison After the Divorce

Howard has continued to speak respectfully about Alison.

In 2011, he described their marriage positively and said Alison was a good person.

He also explained that he did not like discussing the divorce in detail because it involved his former wife and their children, not just him.

Howard said their daughters had taken the divorce hard.

Alison Berns’ Reported Second Marriage

Secondary sources report that Alison later married David Scott Simon.

The commonly reported wedding date is November 23, 2001.

However, Alison has kept this part of her life private, and strong public information about David and their marriage is limited.

There are no publicly confirmed children from Alison’s reported second marriage.

Alison Berns After Her Divorce

Alison largely moved away from public attention after her divorce from Howard.

Some sources claim she continued working as a psychotherapist, while others say she became a teacher or focused on her family.

Her current occupation is not firmly established.

Her exact current relationship with Howard is also private, although they remain connected through their three daughters.

Alison Berns’ Public Appearances

Alison regularly appeared with Howard at events during their marriage.

Documented appearances include Howard’s Private Parts book signing at Barnes & Noble in New York City on October 14, 1993.

The couple also attended Donald Trump and Marla Maples’ wedding at the Plaza Hotel in New York on December 20, 1993.

Alison attended the premiere of the Private Parts movie on February 27, 1997.

She has maintained a much lower public profile since her separation from Howard.

Alison Berns’ Net Worth

Alison Berns’ personal net worth is not reliably known.

Online sources provide very different estimates. One source gives a figure of $50 million, while another section of the same source gives $20 million.

There is no reliable financial information supporting either estimate.

Howard Stern’s wealth should not be treated as Alison’s current personal net worth.

Is Alison Berns on Social Media?

No verified public social media account belonging to Alison has been identified.

She has largely kept her personal life outside the public eye since her divorce.

Interesting Facts

• Alison Berns was reportedly born on May 26, 1954.
• Massachusetts is reported as her birthplace.
• She attended Boston University.
• She met Howard Stern while they were in college.
• Howard asked Alison to appear in one of his student film projects.
• They began dating after working on the project.
• Alison and Howard married in 1978.
• She was Howard Stern’s first wife.
• They had three daughters: Emily, Deborah, and Ashley.
• Alison experienced a miscarriage before they became parents to their three daughters.
• She sometimes challenged Howard over things he said publicly on his radio show.
• Alison and Howard separated in 1999.
• Their divorce was finalized in 2001.
• Howard later spoke positively about Alison.
• David Scott Simon is reported to be Alison’s second husband.
• She has been described as a psychotherapist, but details of her professional career are limited.
• Her current occupation is not firmly established.
• Her personal net worth is not reliably known.
• She has no verified public social media presence.
• Alison has maintained a private life since her divorce from Howard Stern.

Explore More:

Cydney Bernard: What to Know About Jodie Foster’s Former Partner