Ina Garten, the renowned cookbook author and television personality, has opened up about a significant challenge in her marriage to Jeffrey Garten that nearly led to their separation. In her new memoir, “Be Ready When the Luck Happens,” set to release on October 1, Garten reflects on a time back in the late 1970s when she was struggling to balance her burgeoning career with her domestic responsibilities.
According to excerpts shared by People, Garten, now 76, describes the emotional turmoil she faced when she first started managing her specialty food store, The Barefoot Contessa. At that time, her husband Jeffrey was working in Washington, D.C., which created a rift in their relationship. Garten recalls, “It was the hardest thing I ever did. I told him that I needed to be on my own.” She understood that the need for independence was essential, although she left the future of their relationship uncertain, admitting, “I didn’t say whether it was for now… or forever.”
In her memoir, Garten explains that as she dedicated herself to her business, the traditional roles within their marriage began to crumble. She states, “When I bought Barefoot Contessa, I shattered our traditional roles — took a baseball bat to them and left them in pieces.” With her intense work schedule, Garten found it increasingly difficult to fulfill the expectations often placed on her as a wife, leading her to request a “pause” in their marriage to seek clarity on her personal needs.
Garten shares how the expectations between them had become mismatched. “There was no expectation about who got home from work first and what they should do, because I never got home from work!” she writes, recalling that Jeffrey would visit her during weekends, becoming a distraction when all she wanted was to focus on her business.
Amid the challenges, Garten reached a low point and contemplated divorce as a potential solution. However, rather than taking that drastic step, she suggested a separation to give herself space to figure out who she was and what she wanted from life. “I wouldn’t be able to figure out who I was or what I wanted unless I was on my own. I needed that freedom,” she reflects.
Jeffrey, for his part, was supportive and respected her decision, packing his bags and heading back to D.C. with no immediate plan to return. He encouraged her by saying, “If you feel like you need to be on your own, you need to do it.” This gesture reflected his commitment to their marriage, and later, as they began to rebuild their connection, Garten requested that Jeffrey seek therapy as part of their healing process.
Their eventual reunion was marked by a newfound understanding of each other. The couple has been married for 56 years and has emerged from that tumultuous period stronger than ever. Garten admits that asking for that separation was pivotal in transforming both of their lives. “We wouldn’t have the relationship we have now if I hadn’t done it,” she says, appreciating the growth that followed.
“Be Ready When the Luck Happens” is available for preorder and is poised to offer readers a candid look into Garten’s life, her challenges, and the journey that has defined her marriage to Jeffrey.
