When you hear the name Natasha Shishmanian, your first thought might be of her high-profile marriage to British television and radio broadcaster Chris Evans. However, her story stretches far beyond her role as a supportive spouse. She has built an impressive life defined by her own talents, passions, and dedication to her family.
Before stepping into the intense media spotlight that accompanies celebrity relationships, she made a name for herself in the sports world. She competed as a professional golfer, navigating a highly competitive landscape with skill and determination. Her love for the sport eventually transitioned into a successful writing career, where she shared her expertise with a wider audience.
Quick Bio
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Natasha Shishmanian |
| Date of Birth | 4 June 1980 |
| Place of Birth | London, United Kingdom |
| Profession | Former Professional Golfer, Writer, Ex-Model |
| Spouse | Chris Evans (Married 2007) |
| Children | Noah, Eli, Boo, Walt |
| Parents | Aram and Sarah Shishmanian |
Early Life and Background
Natasha Shishmanian was born on 4 June 1980 in London, England. She grew up in a supportive household with her parents, Aram and Sarah Shishmanian. Her father, Aram Shishmanian, is an Iranian-born businessman of Armenian descent who achieved significant success as the Chief Executive Officer of the World Gold Council. This mixed heritage gave Natasha a rich cultural background as she grew up in the UK capital.
From a very young age, she was introduced to the game of golf. She would frequently accompany her father to his golf practices, which sparked an intense, lifelong passion for the sport. Aram encouraged her developing interest, providing her with the foundation she needed to take the game seriously. Instead of simply playing for leisure, she began competing in junior-level tournaments.
Her dedication to improving her swing and mastering the rules of the game set the stage for her future professional pursuits. Golf quickly became more than just a hobby; it became a central focus of her early years and young adulthood.
Career Highlights and Achievements
After honing her skills on the junior circuit, Natasha Shishmanian made the leap to adult-level competitions and eventually turned professional. She played in numerous domestic tournaments across the UK, earning respect as a highly capable and brilliant golfer. She fully committed to the demanding lifestyle of a professional athlete, spending countless hours practising and competing.
Beyond the fairways, she also explored opportunities in modelling. Her athletic build and natural confidence led to various modelling assignments, including appearances in several golf-related television commercials. This exposure helped her bridge the gap between sports and media.
Perhaps her most famous professional venture outside of playing golf was her writing career. She worked as a regular columnist for the popular sports publication Golf Punk magazine. Writing under the clever pseudonym “Golf Nurse,” she provided readers with practical tips, professional tricks, and accessible advice aimed at helping amateur golfers improve their game. Her column was highly regarded for its approachable tone and genuine expertise. She officially retired from professional golf in 2010, choosing to shift her focus toward her family.
Education
Details regarding Natasha Shishmanian formal education remain largely private. It is known that she attended a local high school in her hometown of London, where she balanced her academic responsibilities with her rigorous golf training. While there are no public records detailing her university education, her articulate writing style in Golf Punk magazine and her success in the professional sports arena highlight her sharp intellect and strong work ethic.
Public Recognition and Media Presence
While she achieved a level of fame through her golfing and writing, Natasha Shishmanian : Golf Pro, Writer, and Family Woman public recognition skyrocketed when she began dating Chris Evans. Evans, a staple of British broadcasting, was already a household name. As a result, the British press took a keen interest in his new partner.
Despite the intense scrutiny that comes with dating a celebrity, she has always handled the media attention with grace. She rarely seeks out the spotlight for herself, preferring to let her husband take centre stage while she supports him behind the scenes. However, she frequently accompanies him to high-profile events, charity galas, and public appearances, where she is often photographed looking effortlessly stylish.
Interestingly, despite her mature approach to life and motherhood, she possesses a remarkably youthful appearance. Chris Evans once amusingly shared on his BBC Radio 2 programme that bartenders sometimes still ask his wife to show her ID when she attempts to purchase alcohol.
Personal Life and Relationships
The story of how Natasha Shishmanian met Chris Evans sounds like it was pulled straight from a romantic comedy film. The pair first crossed paths in 2005 at the Newport All-Star Celebrity Tournament in Rhode Island, United States. The tournament rules dictated that a celebrity player must be paired with a professional golfer. As fate would have it, Chris was the celebrity, and Natasha was the assigned professional.
Evans was immediately captivated. He later admitted that he approached her after their match with motives entirely unrelated to their golf scores. The two struck up a close friendship, which eventually blossomed into a romantic relationship later that same year. After two years of dating, they decided to tie the knot.
They were married on 11 August 2007 in a modest registry office ceremony in Guildford, Surrey. The following weekend, they celebrated with family and friends at a beautiful reception in Faro, Portugal. Chris, who had been married twice before, has frequently spoken about the profound positive impact Natasha Shishmanian: Golf Pro, Writer, and Family Woman has had on his life. When he famously departed BBC Radio 2, he publicly described her as his “gravity compass and guiding light.”
Together, the couple has built a large and loving family. They welcomed their first son, Noah Nicolas Martins, in February 2009. The journey to expand their family further was fraught with difficulties, as Natasha suffered a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. Determined to have more children, the couple turned to In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). Through IVF, they welcomed their second son, Eli Alfred Michael, in June 2012.
In September 2018, the family grew again when Natasha gave birth to twins—a boy named Boo and a girl named Walt. Prior to their birth, Chris affectionately referred to the twins on air as “Ping and Pong.” The family currently resides in London, focusing on providing a grounded and private life for their four children.
Net Worth
Through her various professional endeavours—spanning her time as a professional golfer, a commercial model, and a magazine columnist—Natasha Shishmanian has built a respectable personal fortune. In 2018, financial estimates placed her net worth at approximately $700,000. While she now focuses primarily on her family rather than actively generating public income, her past career provided her with financial independence long before her marriage to one of the UK’s highest-paid broadcasters.
Impact and Legacy
Natasha Shishmanian represents a modern woman who successfully pivoted from a demanding athletic career to prioritising her family without losing her sense of self. Her time as the “Golf Nurse” left a positive mark on amateur golfers who relied on her advice to better their game.
More importantly, her legacy is deeply intertwined with her role as a mother and partner. By openly sharing their struggles with ectopic pregnancy and their subsequent IVF journey, she and her husband have helped normalise conversations around fertility challenges. She provides a stable, loving environment for her family, proving that a person’s greatest impact often happens away from the flashing cameras of the paparazzi.
Conclusion
From the greens of professional golf tournaments to the bustling streets of London, Natasha Shishmanian has navigated multiple life transitions with remarkable poise. She carved out her own professional identity early on, generously sharing her sporting knowledge through her writing. When she met Chris Evans, she seamlessly adapted to a life adjacent to massive fame, becoming a vital support system for her husband and a dedicated mother to her four children. Her story serves as a gentle reminder that true success is found not just in career accolades, but in the love, resilience, and quiet strength we bring to our everyday lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Natasha Shishmanian?
Natasha Shishmanian is a British former professional golfer, writer, and model. She is also widely known as the wife of British television and radio presenter Chris Evans.
What did Natasha Shishmanian write about?
Under the pseudonym “Golf Nurse,” she wrote a regular column for Golf Punk magazine. Her articles provided amateur golfers with professional tips, tricks, and advice to improve their skills on the course.
When did Natasha Shishmanian and Chris Evans get married?
The couple was officially married on 11 August 2007 in a civil ceremony in Guildford, Surrey. They held a larger celebration with family and friends the following weekend in Portugal.
How many children does Natasha Shishmanian have?
She has four children with Chris Evans. They share two older sons, Noah and Eli, as well as a set of twins, Boo and Walt, who were born in 2018.
Are Chris Evans and Natasha Shishmanian still together?
Yes, they are happily married. They recently celebrated over 15 years of marriage and reside together in London with their children.
