Bernadette Peters' Husband: The Broadway Star's Marriage to Michael Wittenberg and His Untimely Death

Though Bernadette Peters' husband, Michael Wittenberg, rarely frequented the spotlight, he was known for being content with cheering his wife on from the stage wings and sidelines. He was among the only two men Peters was ever romantically linked to and the only one she married. But, sadly and abruptly, their love story was cut short.

Bernadette Peters is a decorated actress, whose career kickstarted in her childhood. Born Bernadette Lazzara, she drew her first breath in New York City on February 28, 1948. She started performing in theater in the 1960s, branching off to film and television in the 1970s.

She dazzled audiences with her character portrayals in 1976's "The Muppet Show" and "Silent Movie," 1979's "The Jerk," 1981's "Pennies from Heaven" and 1982's "Annie." Peters smoothly alternated between film and Broadway, particularly in musicals, while building her profile as a Grammy-winning singer, working mainly with composer Stephen Sondheim.

There are several prestigious accolades under the now-75-year-old's name, including two Tony awards and three Drama Desk awards. She also dedicated her craft to giving back to her community in a non-profit she co-founded with her friend, the late Mary Tyler Moore.

When it came to her romantic life, Peters mostly kept it to herself. She was described as a woman who was "married to her career." Some feared that her work took up too much room in her life and left none for the actress to settle down. That all changed when Michael Wittenberg entered the picture.

Bernadette Peters Dated Steve Martin for Several Years

The two crossed paths several times before their romance ignited. Peters first met Steve Martin in 1977 through the comedian and actor's then-agent and again when they joined Kenny Rogers' celebrity softball league. Their third encounter occurred when they both appeared on "Hollywood Squares."

It was after that appearance that Martin finally pursued her. Although their relationship was known, the former lovers rarely spoke of each other publicly. However, in a 1982 interview, Martin talked about what attracted him to Peters, and he said it was her "independence," explaining:

"I respected her for it, and I knew it wasn't going to be, you know, 'Oh, Steve, what are we going to do now? Where're you going?' She was in show business, we could talk."

That year, the two presumably ended their relationship. According to some reports, they were talking about moving in together, but none revealed why they separated. Before then, Peters and Martin had collaborated on "The Jerk" and "Pennies from Heaven." Peters commended her former beau's talent decades later, saying he was a "comedic genius."

But she also remarked, "He can be wild and crazy, but basically, he's a very serious guy," during a 2019 chat with The Guardian. Martin later married Victoria Tennant in 1986. Following their divorce, he tied the knot with Anne Springfield in 2007. The couple welcomed their daughter, Mary, in 2012.

Bernadette Peters Was Married to Michael Wittenberg, but Their Love Story Ended in a Tragedy

Peters and Wittenberg met one night outside Peters' apartment as they were both headed out; Peters was off to a date, and Wittenberg attended a charity event. On a rare occasion of her opening up about her romantic life, the Broadway star spoke of her first encounter with her husband and recalled:

"So he walked up to me, a stranger, and said, 'Are we ready to go?' How's that for confidence and a sense of humor?"

It's unclear how long they dated, but the couple tied the knot at Moore's Dutchess County farm in July 1996. They rarely made public appearances together and guarded their romance against the Hollywood microscope. The lovers lived in a penthouse on the Upper West Side of New York City and frequented Miami as their favorite vacation spot.

On one occasion, while in Miami, they took salsa dancing lessons and returned to the Big Apple, where Wittenberg sought other dancing classes in the city. Wittenberg, who worked as an investment advisor, also accompanied his wife whenever she had shows out of town.

Her colleagues remembered him fondly as a man who exuded stability and calmness. In 1987, Peters publicly stated that she wasn't yet ready for marriage. And less than a decade later, when she finally found a life partner, she described her marital union with Wittenberg as a place that grounded her and provided security yet allowed her to "branch out."

Unfortunately, it would meet an untimely end in 2005. Wittenberg was on a business trip in Podgorica, Montenegro, inspecting properties, when he died in a helicopter crash with three other people. He was survived by Peters, as the couple had no children and only lived with their two dogs, Stella and Kramer.

Bernadette Peters Doesn't Like to Talk about Her Personal Life

Since before her husband's death and after, Peters has been tight-lipped about their relationship and even the impact of his death on her life and career. When questions surrounding Wittenberg arose during her 2018 interview with Vulture, she restricted her responses to two-word answers at most.

But apart from her personal life, Peters' career continued to thrive. She co-founded Broadway Barks with her friend, Moore, a non-profit annual event, also attended by other Hollywood stars, held to help cats and dogs from New York City local shelters find permanent homes.

Peters also authored three children's books, the proceeds of which have benefitted Broadway Barks. While maintaining her valued privacy, she joined social media, dedicating her social accounts to work-related content. But, now and then, the songstress shares snaps of herself on adventures in the wild and with her furry companions.