An illegal same-sex marriage that lasted 18 years, the ‘mini-stroke’ in a flight that almost took her life in 2011 and her recent wife.

Kara Swisher, one of the most influential voices in tech journalism, has a rich and complex personal life that reflects her resilience, advocacy, and commitment to family.

Known for her sharp wit and fearless reporting, Swisher’s story also includes significant milestones in LGBTQ+ history, health struggles, and family life.

Kara Swisher’s Early Marriage to Megan Smith

In 1999, Kara Swisher married Megan Smith, an engineer and prominent technology executive, in Marin County, California. At the time, same-sex marriage was not yet legal in California. The couple’s commitment to each other led them to have multiple wedding ceremonies over the years:

2003: A legal wedding in Niagara Falls, Canada

2004: A ceremony during San Francisco’s historic 2004 same-sex weddings

2008: Another ceremony in San Francisco, just before the passage of California Proposition 8, which briefly invalidated same-sex marriages

Swisher and Smith had two sons, Louis and Alexander, and were recognized as pioneers in the LGBTQ+ community for their visibility and advocacy. The couple eventually separated in 2014 and finalized their divorce in 2017.

Marriage to Amanda Katz

On October 3, 2020, Kara Swisher married Amanda Katz, a respected editor at The Washington Post. Their marriage marks a new chapter in Swisher’s life, filled with personal growth and family joy. The couple has two children together, adding to Swisher’s family of four children total.

Katz brings literary and editorial expertise to their dynamic, and the couple has remained largely private, though they are known to be supportive partners both professionally and personally.

Kara Swisher’s Health Journey

In 2011, Swisher experienced a mini-stroke while flying to Hong Kong. She was immediately hospitalized and placed on anticoagulant medication. This life-altering health scare added another layer of depth to her public persona. Swisher later reflected on the experience in a piece remembering actor Luke Perry, who died after a stroke in 2019.

This health scare hasn’t slowed her down; in fact, it has made her more vocal about health awareness, particularly for women and those in high-stress professions.

Signature Style and Beliefs

Kara Swisher is famously known for wearing dark aviator sunglasses indoors, a choice she attributes to light sensitivity and personal preference. She told interviewers: “I just don’t like bright lights.”

Raised Catholic, Swisher now identifies as agnostic, showcasing her journey through faith and self-understanding in parallel with her public career.

Kara Swisher’s story is more than her influential journalism—it’s also about love, resilience, family, and advocacy. From her trailblazing same-sex marriages to her marriage to Amanda Katz, and her candid discussions about health and belief, Swisher continues to inspire. Her personal narrative mirrors the evolving cultural landscape of LGBTQ+ rights, same-sex marriage, and women in media and technology.