Let me tell you about Howie Mandel, the guy who cracks jokes on "America's Got Talent," and his incredible wife, Terry Mandel (née Soil). Now, this couple? They’ve got a bond so strong, it’s like they’ve been laughing at the world together since forever. Howie and Terry tied the knot way back in 1980, and ever since, they’ve been as inseparable as peanut butter and jelly.
The Sweet Beginning: How Howie and Terry Met
Alright, let’s rewind the clock. Howie Mandel and his wife Terry Mandel didn’t meet in some glamorous Hollywood setting. No, their love story started in the most unexpected place—a concession stand at a local youth center in Canada. Picture this: two teens hanging out, just living their lives, when destiny intervenes. They were just kids back then, but something clicked between them, and that connection has only grown stronger over the years.
Howie once shared a hilarious story about their first encounter during an appearance on "Today" in May 2022. He said, “I actually borrowed money from her. I didn’t even know her that well, and I was short a couple of bucks for some fries. She was 14 at the time, and she lent me the cash. And I’ve been paying her back ever since, in every possible way.” Isn’t that just the cutest thing? Love starts with a small act of kindness, and that’s exactly what happened here.
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But here’s the twist—Terry, who’s now a talent agent and television producer, didn’t immediately fall for Howie’s charm. In fact, she turned him down a few times. Can you believe that? But eventually, she gave in and agreed to go out with him. And boy, am I glad she did!
The First Date: Chaos and Chemistry
Howie recounted their first date in a December 2018 interview with The Wall Street Journal. He said, “We drove to the movies in my mom’s Cutlass Supreme. But here’s the kicker—we hit an ice patch, and the car started teetering on its side before it finally came back down on all four wheels. Talk about a wild ride!”
Even though their first date was a little chaotic, it didn’t stop them from falling head over heels for each other. Love, my friends, has a way of smoothing out even the bumpiest roads.
Fast forward a few years, and Howie decided it was time to pop the question. But this wasn’t your typical proposal. Oh no, Howie Mandel does things his own way. He told Streets of Toronto, “I was sitting in a deli, and I’d bought a loose diamond. I just put it on the table and said, ‘I’ve got to go to the bathroom, but if you want to make a ring, go ahead.’” Classic Howie—keeping things fun and unconventional.
Family Matters: How Many Kids Does Howie Mandel Have?
After tying the knot in 1980, Howie became a dad. Terry gave birth to their first child, daughter Jackelyn Shultz, in 1984. Then, in 1989, son Alex Mandel came along, followed by their youngest daughter, Riley Mandel, in 1992. That’s right—three beautiful kids who’ve grown up with a front-row seat to their dad’s incredible career and their mom’s successful work in the entertainment industry.
Through the years, Howie has always emphasized the importance of teaching his kids life lessons that go beyond fame and fortune. He once told Parade in October 2006, “What I try to teach my kids is that life isn’t about making money or getting famous. It’s about finding something you look forward to and enjoy doing. If you’re having fun, then you’ve made it. I’ve been lucky that way—the things I love doing are the things I do for a living.”
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And the Mandel family tree keeps growing! Howie and Terry are now proud grandparents to grandkids Abbey and Axel, who were born to Jackelyn and her husband, Alex Shultz. It’s safe to say this family knows how to keep the laughter going from generation to generation.
