Who is Yalom's new wife?

Irvin Yalom’s New Chapter in Love and Life

Renowned psychiatrist and author Irvin D. Yalom, known for weaving deep psychological insight into compelling narratives, has quietly begun a new personal chapter. Longtime readers have long admired not only his work but also his enduring partnership with Marilyn Yalom, a distinguished historian and writer in her own right. The two shared decades of intellectual companionship and raised four accomplished children: Eve, a gynecologist; Reid, a photographer; Victor, a psychologist and entrepreneur; and Ben, a theater director.

Marilyn passed away on November 20, 2019, leaving a profound void. Her death marked the end of a remarkable partnership that had influenced both Irvin’s personal life and his writing. For years, he navigated life as a widower, continuing to write and reflect on the human condition with the depth only someone who has faced loss can convey.

Then, on January 11, 2024, Yalom took a quiet but meaningful step forward—marrying Sakino Sternberg, a clinical psychologist based in Berlin. The union, though low-key, signals a gentle reawakening. Sternberg, deeply immersed in the world of psychotherapy, shares a professional and personal understanding of the emotional landscapes Yalom has spent a lifetime exploring.

At over 90 years old, Yalom continues to defy expectations—not just in longevity, but in emotional openness. Marrying again after such loss speaks not only to resilience but to the enduring human need for connection. In many ways, this new bond reflects the very themes he's spent his career illuminating: meaning, intimacy, and the courage to embrace life, no matter the stage.