Who is comedian Howie Mandel’s wife of almost 45 years, Terry Mandel? She’s a talent agent and producer, and has worked with her husband on projects including his Live from Carnegie Mall TV special
These high school sweethearts’ love story began in Toronto before moving to Hollywood, and includes a quirky marriage proposal at a deli – today, they share 3 grown-up children and a talent agency
Having first met as teenagers, Howie Mandel and his wife, Terry Mandel, both 69, will celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary this year. Per People magazine, these two Toronto natives first crossed paths in high school, where a simple French fry run kicked off a lifelong partnership.
Howie Mandel first met Terry while waiting in line for French fries at their local youth centre. “I didn’t have enough money, so I borrowed a quarter from her, and I’ve been paying her back ever since,” he joked to Streets of Toronto.
From that moment, Howie was determined to take Terry out, though his early attempts didn’t go smoothly. “I think the first time I dated her, I was 19. She didn’t want to go out with me,” he confessed on Today with Hoda & Jenna.
Curious about Howie Mandel’s long-time partner? From their high school days to their lives in Hollywood, here’s what we know.
Howie proposed to her in the middle of a deli
Howie shared the story of his quirky – some would say, less-than-romantic – marriage proposal to Terry, in conversation with Streets of Toronto: “I was sitting in a deli, and I’d bought a loose diamond, and I put it on the table and said, ‘I got to go to the bathroom, but if you want to make a ring, go ahead.’”
After tying the knot in 1980, the newlyweds celebrated with a comedy gig at Canada’s Yuk Yuk’s club. “We barely had enough money to buy the plane tickets for the wedding, so I timed it as a business trip – although I didn’t have big business then,” he added wryly.
Terry and Howie Mandel’s family
