Taika Waititi’s wife is Rita Ora, the British singer, songwriter and actress. The couple married in a private ceremony at their home in Los Angeles on August 4, 2022, after Ora proposed to Waititi. In an October 2026 interview, Waititi spoke about making time for each other and avoiding spending too much time apart, offering a recent glimpse into how they approach married life.
Who Is Taika Waititi’s Wife?
Taika Waititi’s wife is Rita Ora, the British singer, songwriter and actress known for songs including “How We Do (Party)” and “Anywhere.” The couple married on August 4, 2022, in a small ceremony at their Los Angeles home, after a relationship that began as a friendship and later developed into a romance.
Waititi and Ora have generally kept their relationship away from the constant attention of celebrity headlines. However, they have occasionally shared details about their marriage in interviews. In October 2026, Waititi discussed the effort required to maintain their relationship while both pursue demanding international careers. He said they try not to spend too much time apart and make a conscious effort to spend time together. Now to Love – New Zealand+1
The filmmaker’s marriage to Ora is also an important distinction in his personal history. Before marrying the singer, Waititi was married to New Zealand film producer Chelsea Winstanley. They separated in 2018 and share two daughters. Parade+1
Who Is Rita Ora?
Rita Ora is an internationally recognised British singer and actress. She was born in Pristina, in present-day Kosovo, and moved to the United Kingdom with her family when she was young. She grew up in west London and developed an interest in performing from an early age. Rita Ora+1
Ora became widely known in 2012 after appearing on DJ Fresh’s hit single “Hot Right Now.” The track reached number one on the UK singles chart and helped introduce her to a much larger audience. That same year, she released her debut album, Ora, which also reached the top of the UK Albums Chart. AllMusic+1
Over the years, she has built a career across music, television and film. Her work includes the albums Phoenix and You & I, as well as appearances in the Fifty Shades film franchise. She has also worked as a television personality and talent-show judge. AllMusic+1
Her career is separate from Waititi’s filmmaking work, but both have experience working in international entertainment. Their professional commitments often involve travel, filming schedules, public appearances and projects in different countries.
When Did Taika Waititi and Rita Ora Get Married?
Taika Waititi and Rita Ora married on August 4, 2022, at their home in Los Angeles, California. Their wedding was deliberately small, with approximately eight guests attending in person. Other family members, including their parents, watched the ceremony remotely. Los Angeles Times+2
The couple revealed details of the wedding during an interview with Vogue published for their first anniversary in August 2023. Their account cleared up earlier speculation about where the ceremony had taken place. Some reports had suggested London or France, but Waititi clarified that they married in Los Angeles.
The ceremony was planned quickly rather than as a large celebrity wedding. Ora’s sister, Elena, walked her down the aisle, while Waititi’s close friend and creative collaborator Jemaine Clement travelled from New Zealand to attend. The filmmaker’s daughters from his previous marriage were also present. Los Angeles Times+2
Ora wore a dress designed by Tom Ford, while Waititi chose a dark suit. The couple shared photographs and behind-the-scenes details from the day, giving fans a glimpse of an event they had initially chosen to keep private. Los Angeles Times+1
Who Proposed: Rita Ora or Taika Waititi?
Rita Ora proposed to Taika Waititi. The couple disclosed this detail when they spoke about their wedding with Vogue in August 2023.
Waititi said Ora asked him to marry her while they were on holiday in Palm Springs, California, during the summer of 2022. He accepted immediately. They then arranged their Los Angeles wedding for August 4, only a few weeks after the proposal. Los Angeles Times+1
The story offered a different picture from the traditional celebrity engagement narrative. Rather than a lengthy public engagement announcement, the pair made the decision privately and organised a small ceremony with close friends and family.
How Did Taika Waititi and Rita Ora Meet?
Waititi and Ora first met at a barbecue hosted by the filmmaker at his home in Los Angeles in 2018. At that point, they became friends rather than immediately starting a romantic relationship.
Their relationship developed later. They were both working in Australia in 2021, and dating rumours began circulating that year. They made their relationship more visible through public appearances, including their red-carpet debut at the premiere of The Suicide Squad in August 2021. People.com+1
Their connection also became familiar to entertainment audiences through joint appearances. In November 2022, they co-hosted the MTV Europe Music Awards, showing their easy public rapport and shared sense of humour. ITV News+1
The pair did not make every part of their relationship public. Ora later explained that keeping their wedding private had been important to her, even though she eventually decided to confirm the marriage in an interview.
What Has Taika Waititi Said About Married Life in 2026?
Latest relationship update
One of the most recent public insights into their marriage came in an interview published by Woman’s Day on October 15, 2026.
Waititi spoke about the challenge of maintaining a relationship when both partners have demanding careers and regularly travel internationally. He explained that they make a deliberate effort not to spend more than a few weeks apart. In his view, spending too long living separate schedules can make it easier for partners to become accustomed to being alone. Now to Love – New Zealand
He also described their relationship as reciprocal. Using a gardening metaphor, he explained that sometimes one partner needs more care and attention, while at other times the roles are reversed. His point was that both partners look after each other rather than expecting one person to carry the emotional work. Now to Love – New Zealand
The interview also offered a glimpse of Ora’s connection with New Zealand. Waititi joked that she has started picking up local expressions such as “yeah, nah.” He said she enjoys spending time in the country and treats it as a place to relax between work commitments. Now to Love – New Zealand
These comments are useful because they come directly from Waititi in a recent interview. They provide a clearer picture of how the couple describes their marriage than unverified online speculation does.
Are Taika Waititi and Rita Ora Working Together?
Their relationship has also influenced their creative plans. A 2026 interview with The Times reported that Waititi was developing a romantic comedy with Ora. The project was described as a way for the couple to work together and spend more time with each other. The Times
The report does not mean that the film has been completed or that a release date has been confirmed. It is best understood as a project in development, rather than a finished production with a known release schedule.
The possibility of a joint film is notable because both have experience in different areas of entertainment. Waititi is known for writing, directing and acting, while Ora has worked in music, film and television. A collaboration would bring those professional backgrounds together.
Taika Waititi’s First Wife: Who Is Chelsea Winstanley?
Before his marriage to Rita Ora, Taika Waititi was married to Chelsea Winstanley, a New Zealand film producer.
Waititi and Winstanley married in 2011. They worked in the New Zealand film industry and were connected professionally as well as personally. Winstanley has produced films and documentaries, including projects associated with Waititi’s career. Parade+1
The couple separated in 2018, although the news became widely reported later. They have two daughters together, Matewa Kiritapu and Te Hinekāhu. Parade+1
It is important not to confuse Winstanley with Waititi’s current wife. Winstanley is his former spouse, while Rita Ora is the person he married in 2022.
Waititi has generally kept his children out of the public spotlight. The fact that his daughters attended his wedding to Ora was shared as part of the couple’s account of the ceremony, but that does not mean the family routinely discusses private details publicly. Los Angeles Times+1
Does Taika Waititi Have Children?
Yes. Taika Waititi has two daughters with his former wife, Chelsea Winstanley. Their names are Matewa Kiritapu and Te Hinekāhu. The couple’s daughters were present at Waititi and Ora’s 2022 wedding. Entertainment Tonight+1
Rita Ora is therefore their stepmother through her marriage to Waititi. The couple has not publicly announced having a child together in the sources reviewed for this article. It would be inaccurate to claim that they have children together without a reliable announcement or confirmation.
Are Taika Waititi and Rita Ora Still Married?
The latest public information located for this article supports that Taika Waititi and Rita Ora are married. In October 2026, Waititi spoke about their relationship and the effort they make to spend time together despite busy schedules. Now to Love – New Zealand
There is no substantiated announcement of a separation or divorce in the sources reviewed here. Online speculation should not be treated as confirmation of a change in their marital status.
The couple’s approach to privacy also helps explain why there may not be constant updates about their relationship. They have shared selected details through interviews, but have not made every aspect of their personal life public.
Why Taika Waititi’s Marriage to Rita Ora Attracts Attention
Interest in Taika Waititi’s wife comes partly from the couple’s high-profile careers. Waititi is an Oscar-winning filmmaker associated with projects such as Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder. Ora is a successful singer and actress with an international audience.
Their relationship also connects two different entertainment industries: film and music. Their appearances together, private wedding and occasional interviews have kept public interest alive without requiring them to share every detail.
The October 2026 interview added a fresh dimension to the story. Instead of focusing on wedding rumours or celebrity gossip, Waititi spoke about the practical work of maintaining a relationship across countries and demanding schedules. His comments suggest that, for the couple, making time for each other is a central part of married life. Now to Love – New Zealand
What Happens Next for Taika Waititi and Rita Ora?
The couple’s confirmed public plans and reported projects point toward continued work in entertainment. Waititi’s reported romantic-comedy collaboration with Ora is one development to watch, although a release date and production details have not been confirmed in the sources reviewed. The Times
Waititi is also continuing his filmmaking career, while Ora remains active across music and acting. Their international work schedules may continue to require travel and time apart, making the approach he described in the October 2026 interview relevant to how they manage their relationship.
For now, the clearest confirmed details are straightforward: Rita Ora is Taika Waititi’s wife, they married in Los Angeles in August 2022, and Waititi has recently spoken positively about the effort they make to stay connected.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taika Waititi’s Wife
1. Who is Taika Waititi’s wife?
Taika Waititi’s wife is Rita Ora, a British singer, songwriter and actress. They married in a private ceremony in Los Angeles on August 4, 2022. Los Angeles Times+1
2. When did Taika Waititi and Rita Ora get married?
They married on August 4, 2022, at their home in Los Angeles, California. The couple later shared details of the ceremony during their first wedding anniversary in 2023. Los Angeles Times+1
3. How did Taika Waititi meet Rita Ora?
They first met at a barbecue hosted by Waititi in Los Angeles in 2018. They became friends before beginning a romantic relationship in 2021. Vogue+1
4. Did Rita Ora propose to Taika Waititi?
Yes. Rita Ora proposed to Waititi while they were on holiday in Palm Springs in the summer of 2022. Waititi said he accepted immediately. Los Angeles Times+1
5. Who was Taika Waititi’s first wife?
His former wife is Chelsea Winstanley, a New Zealand film producer. They married in 2011, separated in 2018 and have two daughters together. Parade+1
6. Does Taika Waititi have children?
Yes. He has two daughters, Matewa Kiritapu and Te Hinekāhu, with his former wife Chelsea Winstanley. They were present at his wedding to Rita Ora. Los Angeles Times+1
7. Are Taika Waititi and Rita Ora still together in 2026?
The latest public information reviewed for this article indicates that they remain married. In an interview published on October 15, 2026, Waititi discussed how they make time for each other despite their international work schedules. Now to Love – New Zealand
8. Are Taika Waititi and Rita Ora making a movie together?
A 2026 report in The Times said Waititi was developing a romantic comedy with Ora. The project was reported as being in development; a confirmed release date was not available in the sources reviewed. The Times
9. Has Rita Ora changed her surname to Waititi?
In a January 2023 interview, Ora said she had considered changing her surname but had not made a decision. She also explained that she had worked hard to establish the Ora name professionally. The sources reviewed do not establish that she has since changed it.
