During the season 22 premiere of 'Deadliest Catch,' the reality star revealed he and Jenna Anderson had been separated for eight months
Credit: JB Lacroix/WireImage
NEED TO KNOW
- Jake Anderson confirmed he and wife Jenna Anderson are divorcing after 13 years of marriage
- The pair share three children together and had been separated for eight months during filming
- Amid the split, Jake returned to captain the Cornelia Marie while facing financial and legal challenges
Jake Anderson has confirmed that he and wife Jenna Anderson are divorcing after 13 years of marriage.
The emotional revelation aired during the season 22 premiere of Deadliest Catch, as the longtime fisherman reflected on the breakdown of their relationship while facing uncertainty in both his personal and professional life.
“After 17 years being together, 13 years married, Jenna and I have decided to call it quits,” Jake says in the episode. “It's due to a lot of things. The major one is that I'm gone too much crab fishing.”
“But I got three little ones that need to eat, that have to go to school, that have to have doctor's appointments, and I don't have a job,” he continues.
At the time filming took place in fall 2025, Jake revealed that the pair had already been separated for eight months.
Credit: Discovery Channel
The former couple share three children together: son Aiden, 11, daughter Cadence, who turns 9 next month, and son Luka, 6.
The episode also documents Jake's efforts to rebuild his career amid the split. During a meeting with an attorney, he receives concerning news about his ownership stake in the Titan Explorer.
“I don't want you investing any more money in your ownership interest in the Titan Explorer because that could end up being an asset that needs to be divided in the case,” the lawyer tells him.
Amid the turmoil, Jake steps in as captain of the Cornelia Marie, the iconic vessel formerly captained by the late Phil Harris.
“I worked on it before,” Jake recalls. “I was young, had just met Jenna, was getting yelled at all the time. Life was hard for me.”
Jake and Jenna first met in 2009 at a festival in Seattle, according to Screener TV. Jake later recalled he was doing “shipyard duty” when Jenna and her family approached him for autographs.
“I autographed [to her], ‘You're beautiful,' ” he remembered.
After Jenna's nieces encouraged her to give him her phone number, the pair quickly developed a connection.
“I was trying to stay out of trouble, so I was living on the boat,” Jake recalled. “I wasn't going out and spending money; I was trying to save my money. She started calling me, and I started calling her, for a few weeks. We fell in love.”
Credit: Discovery Channel
The couple married in 2012, with his fellow captain Sig Hansen officiating the wedding ceremony.
Jenna later shared details of Jake's proposal during an interview with TLC.
“It was nearing sunset, and we arrived to the lookout point before dusk, up high in the clouds when no one else was around,” she recalled. “We began kissing and hugging each other, appreciating being away from the family for a moment, and he began to tell me how much he loved me and how wonderful the previous three years had been.”
“As he was doing this, I began shaking and praying to myself, ‘I really hope he's about to propose,' ” she continued. “Before I knew it, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I screamed with excitement, saying, ‘Yes, yes, of course I will. I love you!' I jumped on him, not even giving him the opportunity to pull out the ring.”
Over the years, Jake has also been candid about his past struggles with addiction and the support he received from Jenna throughout his recovery.
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In a 2023 Mother's Day tribute shared online, Jake wrote, “I love you Jenna Anderson your the best mom! My mom Donna Anderson and I never thought we would get to see the day where I had children of my own.”
“We both tragically assumed I would die of alcoholism long before,” he continued. “Mom I love you so dearly and have always said, ‘I've been to hell, but then my mom came and picked me up.' You both are my rocks.”
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