The Real Mr. Big Lives off the Grid in Vermont, Is Happily Married, and Tames Hawks – Photos

The well-known American publisher began his path with little to his name. After losing his position, he quietly stepped back from a profession he had dedicated over 20 years to. Take a closer look at the real-life persona who inspired the character in the iconic "Sex and the City" series.

John James Preston, widely recognized as "Mr. Big," is a recurring character in the HBO series "Sex and the City." The role was brought to life by actor Chris Noth.

"Sex and the City" centers on four bold and savvy women — Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte — as they face the highs and lows of life in New York. Though their paths and romantic lives often differ, their friendship stays strong through it all.

The story behind "Sex and the City" goes beyond its glamorous scenes and sharp dialogue. At its heart lies the voice of the woman who created it all — Candace Bushnell.

She is the author, journalist, and television producer behind the original "Sex and the City" column in The New York Observer. Soon, her work evolved into a bestselling anthology and a cultural phenomenon. In a July 2017 interview, Bushnell reflected on the show's lasting appeal:

"Human nature. We all grapple with the issues in 'Sex and the City.' And now people grapple with them in a different way, maybe online.

She added that at its core, the desire to find a soulmate, or to choose solitude, along with the lessons learned through relationships, reflects human nature, which stays the same regardless of the times.

After explaining why the show's themes still matter, Bushnell shared her view on its ending. She believed that in reality, Carrie and Mr. Big would not have stayed together, but admitted the show had grown too popular to ignore what the audience wanted.

She said the couple became iconic, with people often saying, "I found my Mr Big" or "I just broke up with my Mr. Big." The phrase entered everyday speech, and decisions were made for the viewers. "It's show business, not show art," Bushnell added.

In another interview, Bushnell confirmed that Mr. Big was inspired by publisher Ron Galotti. She said, "I do stay in touch with Ron Galotti; he lives in Vermont."

Though the character of Mr. Big was portrayed as a playboy, the real-life inspiration, Galotti, led a different lifestyle. According to reports, his playboy period was brief, and he was largely known as a serial monogamist.

Galotti came from humble beginnings. Born in the Bronx and raised in Peekskill, New York, he helped out at a farm after his father died of a heart attack when he was just nine.

While he struggled in school, a deal with his principal allowed him to graduate in exchange for joining the Army. That decision led him to serve in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, where he was stationed in the Philippines.

During his service, Galotti married his first wife, Donna Kalajian. The couple later moved to Florida, where he worked as a waiter and attempted to run a heating and cooling business.

When the business failed, they returned to New York and lived in her mother's basement. Galotti found work at a trade publishing company connected to his mother's partner. Later, tragedy struck when their young son died in a car accident, and their marriage ended not long after.

Galotti's publishing career took off in the late 1970s when he joined Hearst. He became the publisher of Country Living and met his second wife, Lisa Wilcox, who also worked in the same industry.

In the years that followed, he took on leading roles at Condé Nast, heading magazines like Mademoiselle, Condé Nast Traveler, and Vanity Fair.

Despite early struggles at Vanity Fair under Graydon Carter's leadership, Galotti found himself rehired by Mr. Newhouse to lead Vogue, where he worked alongside Anna Wintour. Not long after his time at Vogue, Galotti's journey in publishing took another turn.

In 2003, while serving as publisher of GQ, he was let go. A year later, he announced he was leaving New York and settling in Vermont with Wilcox. Many believed he wouldn't stay, but more than 20 years later, he's still there.

That new life brought quieter, unexpected moments. On a quiet morning at their farmhouse, he once spotted a baby hawk in the fireplace. "He must have come down the chimney. Get me a towel," he told his wife. That moment captured the dramatic shift from the fast-paced city, far from boardrooms and fashion shows, surrounded instead by wildlife and fresh air.

Galotti now spends his time on the land, cutting wood, raising chickens, and keeping a slower pace. "I'm not sitting in the chair anymore," he said. "But it seems like the destiny is not good."

Ron Galotti's life moved from city boardrooms to quiet mornings in rural Vermont. He built a strong publishing career, faced personal loss, and later chose a simpler way of living.

Though his time in media left a mark, he no longer seeks that spotlight. The man behind Mr. Big now enjoys peace with his wife, Wilcox, surrounded by nature. His story shows how paths can change, even for those once at the center of it all.