Heidi Van Pelt: The Truth Behind Her Life and Marriage

Heidi Van Pelt is someone many people remember — not just because of her own life, but because of her very public and talked-about marriage to actor Taran Noah Smith. If you ever watched the show Home Improvement, you might know Taran as the youngest brother on that hit show.

But Heidi? She became well-known when she married Taran, even though she was 16 years older than him. That got a lot of people talking. Some were shocked. Some were confused. And many wanted to know more.

In this article, we’ll look at Heidi Van Pelt’s full story — from her early life and college days to her career, her famous relationship, and what happened next. Whether you’re curious about her past or just wondering where she is now, you’ll find all the answers here.

Heidi Van Pelt Profile Summary

Attributes	Details
Full Name	Heidi Van Pelt
Date of Birth	July 11, 1968
Age (as of 2025)	57 years old
Place of Birth	Missouri, USA
Nationality	American
Height	5 feet 8 inches (173 cm)
Weight	121 lbs (55 kg)
Hair Color	Blonde
Eye Color	Blue
Education	Oak Park High School, college dropout
Career	Vegan Chef, Nutritionist, Entrepreneur
Known For	Marriage to Taran Noah Smith
Marital Status	Divorced
Net Worth	Around $300,000 (est.)

Who Is Heidi Van Pelt?

Heidi Van Pelt is best known as the woman who married Home Improvement star Taran Noah Smith. But she’s also more than that.

She’s a certified nutritionist, a vegan chef, and someone who once dreamed of joining the CIA. Heidi has lived a unique life filled with many twists and turns. From starting her own film company to building a vegan business, she’s done a lot behind the scenes.

Most people didn’t know her until she was in the news for her relationship. But her story started long before that — and it’s actually very interesting when you look closer.

Heidi Van Pelt’s Early Life

Heidi was born on July 11, 1968, in the Midwest of Missouri, USA. She grew up in a very normal American town. But her family life wasn’t very easy.

When she was just a baby — only about one year old — her parents got divorced. That meant Heidi had to grow up spending time with both parents separately. She would visit one home and then the other. It wasn’t always stable, but she made it work.

Heidi finished school at Oak Park High School. Before that, she attended Blue Springs High School for a while. These early years helped shape who she would become — someone curious, creative, and always looking for something different.

Heidi Van Pelt’s Career

After high school, Heidi didn’t just settle for one simple path. She had big dreams, but her road was not a straight one.

At first, she went to Stephens College to study fashion and design. But she didn’t finish there. She left and moved to the University of Missouri, where she started learning German and philosophy. Still, she didn’t stay long.

Later, she went to the University of Washington and studied Russian Studies because she had a surprising goal — she wanted to work for the CIA. But once again, she left college just one semester before graduation.

Instead of working in politics or spying, Heidi tried something creative. She started her own small film company called Emergent Films. But the company didn’t last. So, she moved to Los Angeles to look for better work.

In L.A., Heidi worked on movie sets — not as a star, but behind the scenes. She worked as a prop master and production assistant, helping bring films to life. This gave her real experience in the entertainment world, even if she wasn’t in front of the camera.

Heidi Becoming a Nutrition Expert

While living and working in Los Angeles, Heidi started to change her lifestyle. She became interested in healthy eating — especially vegetarian and vegan food. This new passion would lead her down an exciting path.

She took online classes from the American Academy of Nutrition. With time and effort, she became a certified nutritional counsellor. She now had real knowledge about food, health, and plant-based living.

But she didn’t stop there. Heidi started working as a vegan chef and focused on raw food diets. She wasn’t just cooking — she was teaching people how to eat better and live healthier.

One cool thing? She even worked with well-known people like actor Woody Harrelson, who is also a big supporter of healthy and eco-friendly living. That shows how serious and connected Heidi was in the vegan world.

How Heidi Met Taran Noah Smith

Heidi met Taran in a very normal way — through a friend. That friend was Zachery Ty Bryan, Taran’s co-star from Home Improvement.

At the time, Taran was still a teenager, and Heidi was already in her early 30s. He would visit her home with Zachary, and they got to know each other. At first, they were just friends. Heidi was in another relationship, so nothing romantic happened right away.

But later, after Heidi’s previous relationship ended, her friendship with Taran started to grow. Slowly, it turned into a romantic relationship.

This surprised a lot of people. Why? Because of the huge age difference. Heidi was 16 years older than Taran. Many fans, and even his parents, were not happy about it. But the couple seemed serious — and they didn’t care what others thought.

Heidi Marriage to Taran Noah Smith

Heidi and Taran got married on April 27, 2001. That was a very special day — it was also the day Taran turned 18, which made the marriage legal.

At the time, Heidi was 33, and Taran Noah Smitharan had just become an adult. The news spread fast. People talked about it on TV, in magazines, and online. Everyone had an opinion. Some said it was wrong. Others were just shocked.

Still, Heidi and Taran stayed strong as a couple. They even started a business together, ran it as partners, and tried to live a calm, plant-based lifestyle.

Another thing to know: Taran had just gained access to his $1.5 million trust fund — money he had earned from acting. Earlier, he had accused his parents of mismanaging that money, but later he said they were only trying to protect him.

Heidi Van Pelt’s Divorce

After six years of marriage, things between Heidi Van Pelt and Taran Noah Smith started to fall apart.

They officially filed for divorce in February 2007. The reason they gave was “irreconcilable differences,” which simply means they couldn’t get along anymore. But there were more things going on behind the scenes.

Taran said that Heidi was moving business money into her own private account. Heidi, on the other hand, said Taran was partying too much and not acting responsibly. Both of them pointed fingers, and the situation got messy.

Their divorce was not just about their relationship. It was also about their shared vegan business, called Playfood. They had started this business together, and now they had to figure out who would keep it — or what would happen to it.

Since they were both public figures, the news spread quickly. Many people followed the story online and in magazines. The age gap, the money issues, and the business drama made it a big topic.

Even though it was a tough time for both, they went their separate ways and started living different lives.

Heidi Life After the Divorce

After the divorce, Heidi Van Pelt stepped away from the spotlight. She stopped appearing in public events, and there were fewer and fewer stories about her.

She did not talk much to the media. She did not go on TV. She did not give interviews. In short, she just quietly disappeared from public life.

For people who were following her story, this created more curiosity. They wanted to know — “Where is Heidi Van Pelt now?”

There are a few signs of her online. At one point, she had a small presence on Instagram and Twitter, using the names @heidivanpelt and @hlvanpelt. But she didn’t have many followers, and she didn’t post often.

She also didn’t remarry. There is no public record of her having any children — not before, during, or after her marriage to Taran.

So, what does she do now? That’s not very clear. Some believe she may still be involved in nutrition or vegan food, but no one knows for sure.

Heidi Van Pelt’s Net Worth

Even though Heidi is no longer in the news, people still ask about her net worth.

According to public sources, Heidi Van Pelt’s estimated net worth is around $300,000. But this number is not exact because she has never shared any personal financial details.

Most of this money likely came from:

Her work as a nutritionist and vegan chef
Her time as co-owner of Playfood, the business she started with Taran
Possibly other private work that isn’t publicly known

She did not appear in any major TV shows or movies. So, most of her earnings came from her business and wellness career, not from Hollywood fame.

Even after her marriage ended, Heidi did not go after media deals or reality shows. That’s why her money story stays quiet, just like her personal life.

Final Thoughts

The story of Heidi Van Pelt is not just about her marriage. It’s about a woman who lived a very different kind of life.

She moved from school to school, explored many paths, and tried to chase big dreams — including one with the CIA. She worked behind the scenes in film, became a certified nutritionist, and even co-owned a vegan restaurant.

Then she married a famous young actor, which brought her into the spotlight. But that spotlight also brought drama, public judgment, and a divorce.

Today, Heidi Van Pelt lives a quiet life, away from the cameras and gossip. Many people still search her name, trying to learn where she went. But sometimes, people just want peace — and it seems Heidi chose that path.

Her story is one of choices, changes, and a search for her own way. And even though she is no longer in the news, her life story still gets people curious — and keeps her name remembered.

(FAQs)

How old is Heidi Van Pelt?

She was born on July 11, 1968. As of 2025, she is 57 years old.

When did Heidi Van Pelt and Taran get married?

They got married on April 27, 2001, the same day Taran turned 18.

How long were Heidi and Taran married?

They were married for six years, from 2001 to 2007.

Why did Heidi Van Pelt and Taran Noah Smith divorce?

They divorced due to relationship problems, including arguments, money issues, and personal differences. Both had different views on life and business.