Zach Roerig is best known for his TV roles most notably as Matt Donovan on The Vampire Diaries. While his onscreen life has been highly publicized, his private, personal life has often been under question. In particular: Is he married? Does he have children? What has his relationship situation looked like over time? This article aims to clarify what is reliably known, what’s rumored, and what remains private.
Early Life & Career Foundations
Before diving into his family life, a quick grounding.
- Zachary George Roerig was born February 22, 1985, in Montpelier, Ohio.
- He grew up with one younger sister.
- In high school, he was active in football and wrestling. After graduation, he attended modeling/acting training (e.g. Barbizon) and moved to New York to pursue acting.
These early years built up to his later TV success, but also set the stage for how he handles public exposure vs private life.
Does Zach Roerig Have a Wife?
A central question fans often ask: Is Zach Roerig married?
- Short answer: No, as of mid‑2025, there is no credible evidence that Zach Roerig has ever been legally married. Multiple sources confirm he has had serious relationships, but none that appear to have resulted in a documented marriage.
- Popular rumors and tabloid stories have sometimes mischaracterized his ex‑girlfriend, Alanna (or Alana) Turner, as his “wife.” But credible sources denote her as an ex‑girlfriend, not wife.
- There is a confirmed public relationship in 2025 with Arielle Kebbel, his former Vampire Diaries co‑star. The two confirmed their relationship at a fan convention in April 2025.
So, while “wife” is a term that sometimes appears in less reliable reports, the factual status is: he is not married but in a relationship.
His Child & Custody Battle
One of the more serious and private aspects of his life that has become public is his role as a father and the legal proceedings around custody.
The Child
- Zach Roerig has one daughter, born in January 2011, with Alanna Turner.
- The daughter’s name is not fully confirmed by all sources; some sources refer to her as “Fiona,” but that is not universally verified by official documents.
Custody Battle
- In 2013, when the daughter was about 2 years old, Zach filed legal papers in Georgia seeking sole custody of the child. This followed events in which Alanna Turner was incarcerated in federal prison after pleading guilty to various charges.
- The legal documents filed cited Turner’s multiple arrests and legal problems, which Zach argued made it necessary for him to have sole decision‑making authority over their daughter.
- Zach also requested child support in these filings.
Outcome
- Many sources state that in October 2013, a judge in Georgia granted Zach Roerig full custody of his daughter. This includes decision‑making in her care and upbringing.
- After that, Turner’s visitation or legal parental rights seem to have been significantly limited given her incarceration and legal history.
Relationships & Dating History
While he doesn’t have a wife, Zach has been in relationships that have been public to varying degrees. Below is a rough sketch with what’s known:
| Partner / Ex | Time frame / Notable facts | Any marriage? | Outcome or current status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alanna Turner | Met prior to 2011; had daughter in Jan 2011; custody battle in 2013. | No confirmed marriage. Some rumors call her his wife, but not verified. | Zach obtained full custody after legal proceedings; their romantic relationship ended. |
| Candice Accola (now Candice King) | They were linked around 2011‑2012. | No marriage. Purely dating. | Relationship ended. |
| Nathalie Kelley | Reports of dating. | No marriage. | It ended. She later married someone else. |
| Arielle Kebbel | Announced relationship in April 2025. | Not married | As of latest reports, dating. |
What Is Known vs What Is Speculative
In appreciating “the truth,” it’s helpful to separate verified facts from rumors or unproven claims.
Facts
- Zach Roerig has one daughter, born in January 2011.
- He filed for sole / full custody of his daughter in 2013 in Georgia.
- The mother, Alanna (or Alana) Turner, has been incarcerated on federal charges. Multiple arrests have been part of legal filings.
- He is not legally married as of the date of the latest reliable reports.
- He began dating Arielle Kebbel in 2025, which is confirmed publicly.
Speculation / Rumors
- Names of the daughter: while “Fiona” appears in some sources, it is not universally confirmed. Some reports use that name, others do not.
- That Alanna Turner is or was his “wife”: some outlets make that claim, but reliable sources do not confirm a legal marriage.
- Details about current parenting arrangements beyond custody (where the child lives, day‑to‑day schedule, etc.) are mostly private.
- Many minor personal claims (vacation photos, daily life, etc.) come from tabloids, fan sites, or less verified sources.
How Zach Roerig Handles Privacy & Publicity
One interesting aspect of his story is how much of his private life has been kept out of the spotlight, and which elements were forced into public view by legal or unavoidable circumstances.
- The custody case was a public matter because of court filings. That means many legal details could not remain private once filed.
- Outside of that, he has largely avoided over‑sharing. For example, he did not broadcast extensively about the relationship with Alanna Turner, nor confirm marriage, etc.
- More recently, the relationship with Arielle Kebbel was confirmed in a more public, mutually acknowledged way (via a fan convention and media coverage) rather than through scandal or rumor.
Key Takeaways: What Is the “Truth”
Putting all this together, here’s what is most reliably “true” about Zach Roerig’s family life as of mid‑2025:
- He is a father. He has a daughter born in 2011.
- He does not have a legal wife. Despite rumors, there’s no solid public document confirming he has ever been married.
- He gained full custody of his daughter around 2013 following legal proceedings involving the child’s mother.
- He has been in a number of romantic relationships—some with fellow actors but none that are confirmed as marriage.
- He is in a relationship with Arielle Kebbel since April 2025, which is publicly acknowledged.
Why Some Misinformation Persists
Misinformation and rumors often spread in celebrity culture. In Zach’s case:
- Sometimes tabloid or gossip sources mislabel Alanna Turner as his “wife,” perhaps because of confusion over “custody” filings or parental responsibility.
- Names of children, private details (where the daughter lives, etc.) are often guessed or taken from unreliably sourced blogs.
- Some outlets may repeat claims without verification, leading to a proliferation of incorrect statements.
Recognizing which sources are credible (court documents, mainstream press, interviews from the actor himself, etc.) vs which are not is key.
Final Thoughts
Zach Roerig’s family life is marked by genuine challenges, particularly the custody battle and legal issues involving his ex‑partner, and by a strong role as a father. At the same time, many rumors about being married, about daily personal details are not supported by solid evidence.
Here’s a concise profile of where things stand:
- Relationship Status: Dating Arielle Kebbel (2025); no marriage confirmed.
- Children: One daughter born January 2011; Zach has full custody.
- Public vs Private: Key legal proceedings are public; many personal life details remain private.
If you like, I can also pull together a timeline showing how information about his family life has come out over time (so you see how rumors arose vs what was confirmed). Would you prefer that?