Laird Hamilton First Wife: His Life Before Gabrielle Reece

Laird Hamilton’s first wife is a search phrase that appears often because Laird’s marriage to Gabrielle Reece has been so public, while his earlier personal life has remained largely out of view. Before he became part of one of the most recognizable power couples in action sports and wellness culture, Laird was married once before. That first marriage played an important role in his life, particularly as it relates to his family, even though it has never been a major focus of media attention.

Who Is Laird Hamilton?

Laird Hamilton is one of the most influential figures in modern surfing. Widely credited with helping pioneer tow-in surfing, he pushed the limits of what surfers believed was possible in big-wave riding. Beyond surfing, he has built a broader public identity as a fitness innovator, waterman, and lifestyle entrepreneur.

As his reputation grew, so did interest in his personal life—especially after he married Gabrielle Reece, a former professional volleyball player, model, and media personality. Together, they became a well-known couple associated with health, training, and ocean-centered living. That visibility naturally led many people to wonder about Laird’s life before that marriage.

Who Was Laird Hamilton’s First Wife?

Laird Hamilton’s first wife was Maria Souza. She is often described as a surfer and clothing designer, though she has never pursued the same level of public attention as Laird or Gabrielle Reece. As a result, information about her tends to appear only in biographical references rather than interviews or feature stories.

Maria Souza is best known publicly because of her connection to Laird and because they share a child together. Beyond those core facts, she has remained a private individual, which explains why details about her life are limited and sometimes inconsistently reported online.

When Did Laird Hamilton Marry His First Wife?

Precise dates surrounding Laird Hamilton’s first marriage are not widely documented in reputable sources. What is clearly established is that the marriage occurred earlier in his life, before his 1997 marriage to Gabrielle Reece.

At the time of his first marriage, Laird was still building his reputation within the surfing world. He had not yet reached the level of global recognition that would come later, which is one reason this period of his life was never extensively covered by mainstream media.

Children From Laird Hamilton’s First Marriage

Laird Hamilton and Maria Souza have a daughter together named Izabella Hamilton, often referred to as Izabella or Bella. Izabella is consistently identified in family-related interviews and articles as Laird’s daughter from his first marriage.

Laird has spoken publicly about being a father to three daughters in total. Izabella is his eldest, while his two younger daughters were born during his marriage to Gabrielle Reece. Over the years, Izabella has been raised as part of a blended family, with Gabrielle Reece openly acknowledging and embracing her role in that family structure.

Why the Marriage Ended

There is very little publicly available information explaining why Laird Hamilton’s first marriage ended. Neither Laird nor Maria Souza has shared detailed accounts of the divorce, and reputable biographies do not attempt to speculate.

This lack of detail is not unusual. Many public figures choose not to revisit early relationships publicly, particularly when children are involved. In this case, the absence of commentary suggests a mutual decision to keep that part of their lives private rather than turn it into a public narrative.

Life After the Divorce

After his first marriage ended, Laird Hamilton’s life entered a far more visible phase. He married Gabrielle Reece in 1997, and together they built a family and a public brand centered on fitness, wellness, and outdoor living.

The contrast between the two marriages is striking. His first marriage took place largely outside the public eye, while his second unfolded alongside growing fame, media appearances, and shared business ventures. As a result, much more is known about his later family life than about his earlier one.

Comparing His First Marriage to His Marriage With Gabrielle Reece

The biggest difference between Laird Hamilton’s first and second marriages is public visibility. His first marriage is acknowledged as a fact but rarely discussed in depth. His marriage to Gabrielle Reece, by contrast, has been the subject of interviews, books, podcasts, and lifestyle features.

Another difference lies in timing. Laird’s first marriage occurred before he became a mainstream name. His later marriage happened when both partners already had public careers, making media attention inevitable. That difference alone explains why one relationship feels almost invisible while the other feels widely documented.