Michelle Ziegler is the current wife of Kurt Ziegler, the father of world-renowned dancers and stars Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler. While many fans of the reality television phenomenon Dance Moms remember Kurt as the somewhat reluctant father figure during the show’s early seasons, his life has changed significantly since his high-profile divorce from Melissa Ziegler-Gisoni in 2011.

Today, Kurt Ziegler lives a life far removed from the flashing lights of Hollywood and the intense competition of the Abby Lee Dance Company. His marriage to Michelle represents a new chapter—one focused on privacy, a blended family, and a return to professional normalcy in Pennsylvania.

Who is Michelle Ziegler

Michelle Ziegler, formerly known as Michelle Zamerski, became a central figure in Kurt Ziegler’s life following the collapse of his second marriage. Unlike Kurt’s ex-wife Melissa, who embraced the spotlight and became a household name through reality TV, Michelle has maintained a strictly private profile.

The timeline of their relationship suggests they found common ground through their shared experiences as parents. Michelle brought three children of her own from a previous relationship into the marriage: daughters Paige and Tori Hillen, and a son, Christian Hillen. When Kurt and Michelle married—with records indicating the union took place around 2013 to 2017—they formed a large, blended family that includes Kurt’s four biological children and Michelle’s three children.

In the small circles of Murrysville and Pittsburgh where they reside, Michelle is known as a supportive partner who has stood by Kurt during his transition away from the "Dance Dad" label. She is not a public figure, and she does not participate in the entertainment industry, which seems to align perfectly with Kurt’s own desire to retreat from public scrutiny.

The Journey Through Kurt Ziegler’s Three Marriages

To understand Kurt Ziegler’s current life with Michelle, one must look at the trajectory of his previous relationships, which were often marked by the pressures of business and television.

The First Marriage: Lorri Ziegler

Long before the world knew the name Ziegler in the context of dance, Kurt was married to Lorri Ziegler. During this first marriage, Kurt became a father to two sons, Ryan and Tyler Ziegler. While Ryan and Tyler are the half-brothers of Maddie and Mackenzie, they grew up mostly outside of the reality TV bubble. Kurt’s role as a father began here, establishing his roots in Pennsylvania and his early career in the financial sector.

The High-Profile Second Marriage: Melissa Ziegler-Gisoni

In 2000, Kurt married Melissa Sulo. For a decade, they appeared to be a standard upwardly mobile couple in the Pittsburgh suburbs. Together, they founded and operated Custom Mortgages, Inc., a mortgage company that saw significant success before the economic downturn of the late 2000s.

However, the birth of their daughters, Madison (Maddie) in 2002 and Mackenzie in 2004, set the stage for a dramatic shift in their family dynamic. When Melissa enrolled the girls in the Abby Lee Dance Company, Kurt initially supported the hobby. But as the commitment grew and Dance Moms began filming in 2011, the strain became unbearable. Kurt famously stated that the intense focus on dance "ruined" his marriage. The couple filed for divorce in December 2010, and it was finalized in 2011, just as the show was catapulting his daughters to global stardom.

Finding Peace with Michelle

Following the tumultuous end of his marriage to Melissa—which included public bankruptcy filings and legal battles over custody—Kurt met Michelle. Their relationship was a departure from the chaos of the dance world. By marrying Michelle, Kurt chose a partner who valued a quiet, domestic life. This stability has been the hallmark of his life for the past decade.

The Blended Family Dynamic

One of the most complex aspects of Kurt Ziegler’s life is his role within a blended family that totals seven children across different households.

  1. Biological Sons: Ryan and Tyler Ziegler are now adults. They have maintained a relatively close relationship with their father, often appearing in rare social media posts that Kurt shares on his private accounts.
  2. Biological Daughters: Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler represent the more complicated side of Kurt’s family life. After the divorce, Melissa was granted legal custody, and the girls’ careers took them to Los Angeles. The physical and emotional distance created a rift. While there were periods of estrangement, particularly as the girls grew closer to their stepfather, Greg Gisoni, Kurt has made efforts over the years to reconcile and remain a presence in their lives during holidays and milestones.
  3. Stepchildren: Through his marriage to Michelle, Kurt became a stepfather to Paige, Tori, and Christian. Sources close to the family suggest that Kurt has taken this role seriously, participating in their school events and daily upbringing in Pennsylvania, providing him with a "second chance" at a traditional fatherhood experience away from cameras.

Why Kurt Ziegler Left the Spotlight

The primary reason Kurt Ziegler is no longer a public figure is a conscious choice for mental health and privacy. During his brief appearances on Dance Moms, Kurt was often portrayed as the "absent" or "unsupportive" father. However, from Kurt’s perspective, he was a man watching his family be dissected for entertainment value.

He once expressed deep concern that his daughters were being overworked and that the environment of reality television was toxic for young children. When he exited the show and the marriage, he also exited the public eye. He deleted most of his public social media presence and focused on rebuilding his reputation in the professional world.

For a man whose private financial struggles (the 2009 bankruptcy of Custom Mortgages Inc.) were once fodder for tabloid speculation, the anonymity of his life with Michelle is a hard-won sanctuary.

Professional Life: From Custom Mortgages to Three Rivers Lending

Kurt Ziegler’s career has been as resilient as his personal life. After the closure of Custom Mortgages Inc., a company he co-owned with Melissa, Kurt had to navigate the difficult waters of the post-2008 financial crisis.

He transitioned into roles as a senior loan officer, leveraging his deep knowledge of the Pennsylvania real estate market. He eventually found a professional home at Three Rivers Lending. In this capacity, he works as a mortgage professional, helping local families secure homes—a career that is grounded, stable, and entirely separate from the entertainment industry.

His professional peers describe him as a hardworking individual who prefers to be known for his expertise in lending rather than his connection to famous celebrities. This professional pivot has been essential in providing the financial stability needed to support his new life with Michelle.

The Role of Greg Gisoni: A Contrast in Fatherhood

It is impossible to discuss Kurt Ziegler’s current status without mentioning Greg Gisoni, Melissa’s current husband. To the public, Greg is often seen as the primary father figure for Maddie and Mackenzie, as he has been with them through their peak years of fame in LA.

Maddie has spoken in interviews about her "stepdad" being a pillar of support. This public narrative has sometimes been difficult for Kurt, who remains the girls' biological father. However, the contrast between Greg’s role and Kurt’s role highlights the reality of many divorced families. While Greg provides the day-to-day support in the girls’ Hollywood environment, Kurt offers a connection to their roots in Pennsylvania. Michelle Ziegler has played a crucial role in helping Kurt navigate these feelings of displacement, encouraging a "low-conflict" approach to the girls' public lives.

What is Kurt Ziegler’s Relationship with His Daughters Today?

The question of whether Kurt is "close" to Maddie and Mackenzie is one of the most searched topics regarding the family. As of 2024 and 2025, the relationship remains private but cordial.

Maddie and Mackenzie have both matured and moved beyond the drama of their childhood show. While they rarely post photos with Kurt on their massive Instagram feeds—preferring to keep their brand focused on their professional work—it is understood that they maintain contact. Kurt has been seen at occasional family gatherings in the East Coast.

Michelle Ziegler’s influence is often credited with softening the edges of the post-divorce bitterness. By creating a welcoming home in Pennsylvania, she has allowed for a space where the girls can visit and simply be "normal" teenagers or young adults, away from the expectations of their careers.

Where is Kurt Ziegler Now?

Kurt and Michelle Ziegler continue to reside in the Greater Pittsburgh area, specifically around Murrysville or Export, Pennsylvania. Their life revolves around local community activities, Kurt’s work in the lending industry, and the growth of Michelle’s children.

Kurt is nearing his 60th birthday (born January 10, 1965), and he appears to be embracing the role of a family man who has weathered the storm. His "new" life is not actually new anymore—it has been his reality for over a decade. The "new wife" the public searches for is actually his long-term partner in a life lived with quiet dignity.

Conclusion Summary

Kurt Ziegler’s life today is a testament to the fact that there is life after reality TV. While his marriage to Melissa Ziegler-Gisoni ended in a very public and painful way, his subsequent marriage to Michelle Ziegler has provided the stability he long craved. Michelle, a private woman with three children of her own, has helped Kurt build a blended family that balances the needs of seven children.

Kurt has successfully transitioned from a bankrupt business owner and "Dance Dad" to a respected senior loan officer at Three Rivers Lending. Though he may never be the primary father figure in the public eyes of Maddie and Mackenzie’s fans, he remains a vital part of their history and a man who has found peace in the quiet corners of Pennsylvania.

FAQ

Who is Kurt Ziegler's current wife?

Kurt Ziegler is currently married to Michelle Ziegler (formerly Michelle Zamerski). They have been together for over a decade, with records indicating their marriage occurred between 2013 and 2017.

Does Kurt Ziegler have children with Michelle?

Kurt does not have biological children with Michelle. However, he is the stepfather to Michelle's three children: Paige, Tori, and Christian Hillen.

What happened to Kurt Ziegler's mortgage company?

Kurt and his ex-wife Melissa owned Custom Mortgages, Inc. The company faced significant financial difficulties during the 2008 housing crisis and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2009.

Why was Kurt Ziegler not on Dance Moms often?

Kurt was vocal about his dislike for the show, believing that the high-stress environment and the hours spent at the dance studio were detrimental to his children and his marriage. He chose to limit his participation to protect his own privacy and express his disapproval of the show's dynamics.

Where does Kurt Ziegler work now?

Kurt Ziegler currently works in the mortgage industry in Pennsylvania, specifically as a senior loan officer. He has been associated with Three Rivers Lending.

Are Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler still in contact with their father?

Yes, while their relationship is private and they are often closer to their stepfather Greg Gisoni, Maddie and Mackenzie have maintained a relationship with their biological father, Kurt, over the years.