Last updated on: January 31, 2025

Michelle Cook is one of the wives of late-night TV show host David Letterman. Michelle and David married for nine years, and although they are separated, Michelle plays a significant part in David’s early life. Let’s know who Michelle Cook is and how her relationship with David Letterman shaped their lives.

Quick Facts About Michelle Cook

Full Name	Michelle Cook
Birthdate	N/A
Occupation	N/A
Husband/Wife	David Letterman (married 1968–1977)
Education	Attended Ball State University in Indiana
Age	70+ (as of 2025)
Parents	Not Known
Siblings	Not Known
Children	N/A
Net Worth	<$1 million

Early Life and Meeting David Letterman

While pursuing a degree, both Michelle and David Letterman crossed paths each other at the same Ball State University in the state of Indiana. They instantly grew close after enrolling; by the college time, their relation turned more than friendship through courtship; eventually, David fell in love with Michelle: End.

It was on July 2, 1968, that David, who was then 21 years old, married Michelle. It was indeed the biggest step they both took. They were beginning their lives together with full adventure ahead. At the time, David’s career had not yet bombed off. He was figuring out and trying to determine what he wanted to do in a world of comedy and TV.

Their Marriage

Michelle and David have been married for nine years, which was around the time he was starting to gain recognition for his comedy works. He spent a lot of time trying to make a better career for himself, but a bright future at that time could not be assured. They suffered through the period of balancing his marriage with David’s growing work. In essence, their relationship was put into the test over the demands at work.

David Letterman began hosting his show, “Late Night with David Letterman,” on NBC in 1982. By then, of course, everything was going a little sour on the homefront. Michelle and David had long since separated when he was accepted by NBC’s “Late Night” in 1977 – just three short years before landing the show and becoming a mainstay on national television.

Life After the Divorce

After the divorce, David’s career started booming. He became a house name as the host of “Late Night” and later “The Late Show with David Letterman.” Fame ballooned upon his face, but the emotional blow of that divorce lingered. According to David, the divorce from Michelle was something that stayed with him throughout his life. It made him wary of relationships in the future.

Michelle Cook, on the other hand, chose to live a more private life far from the limelight of the media. Not much is known about her life after being divorced as she tends to keep the issues in her personal life private. It does seem that she has opted to work towards one particular goal, away from the public eye.

David’s Relationships After Michelle

After Michelle, there were a few pretty notable relationships for David, namely his few year commitment to Merrill Markoe who was the head writer for his TV show.

In 1986, David met up with Regina Lasko. She remained his long-term partner. David and Regina tied the knot in 2009; they spent more than 20 years together as partners. They share a son. Evidently, David found far more stability with Regina than he ever did with Michelle in his early years.

READ ALSO: David Letterman Net worth, Age, Wife, Family, Facts & More

Legacy Michelle left in David’s Life

Although Michelle Cook is not a frequently headlined figure today, she is still a part of David Letterman’s personal history. Their marriage was an important part of his life. It took place during his younger years, before he became the famous TV host everyone knows today.

Michelle married David when he was just starting to begin his work. Their relationship is reflective of the many problems facing young couples in which one person is building a career. David was starting his career working in comedy and television, and Michelle was present from those early days.

While their marriage ended in divorce, Michelle played a role in David’s life that should not be forgotten, as she was part of his story at the time when everything was changing for him.

 

Source: celebs.infoseemedia.com