While we all wish IRL that MerDer ended up together, Ellen Pompeo has her own real-life McDreamy that swept her off her feet. After all, Ellen Pompeo is a total catch, so we obviously had no worries that MerDer did not become an item in reality.
What most people do not know, however, is that our Grey's Anatomy leading lady is hitched to a man ― and they've been married since 2007.
For those of you who do not know much about the highest-paid actress on the show and her beau, to start you off, his name is Chris Ivery, and they met back in 2003.
They say love happens in places and times you expect it the least, and we're thrilled that Pompeo was at the right place at the right time. The Daily Mail reports that in 2003, Pompeo took a casual stroll in a grocery store in Los Angeles, and it was there that she bumped into Ivery, and the rest is history. Okay, we don't want to be cheesy, but it was!
The duo quickly learned that they had a lot in common and started dating. We do not doubt for a second the incredible bond these two have, but we are aching and itching to know more about the man who's Pompeo's very own McDreamy.
Here are 20 interesting facts about him.
20 Ivery Is Pompeo’s Destiny
Though the two met in a grocery store, they actually go way back. When they first met, the reason they had so much common ground was because they were both raised in Massachusetts, just outside of Boston.
However, things got even more real: the two ended up learning that they grew up only 10 miles away from each other, as Female First reports.
19 What Connects Them
Want to know the real reason Pompeo and her beloved husband fell for each other? It's because they both came from humble beginnings, sure, but it was much more than that.
The two had quite difficult childhoods. Pompeo has been quite candid about her childhood insecurities and having an absent mother.
Ivery was never embarrassed to mention that his life was fairly rough. What Pompeo must have really appreciated was that when the two met, and before they said their "I dos," Ivery was open and honest about his past.
Honesty is, after all, the key to a happy marriage.
18 Ivery Is A Working Man
Although the world knows about the real-life Meredith Grey, not much is known about her own personal McDreamy.
The man of her life is not some average guy. Instead, he is quite the successful catch.
Not much is disclosed about him, even though the two are not shy in front of the cameras, so it might surprise you to learn that Ivery lives his life as a music producer.
If you want to be somewhat familiar with his work, he wrote lyrics for the hit song "Cheers (Drink To That)" that Rihanna sings, which was featured on the American series Smash.
17 He Is Not An Actor, But…
With the hefty career he carries on his back, the father of Pompeo’s children effortlessly helps with the bills at home, as his net worth is around $10 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Ivery's occupation is certainly no joke, and the working man has racked up some precious belongings with his estimated $10 million net worth.
With a job like that, this comes as no surprise, but it surely does to those who thought Ivery was your regular Joe. Hard work totally pays off though, and in California, Ivery splurged on a mansion with a $6.5 million value, as Panda Gossips reports. Though his wife is one of the highest-paid TV actresses, Ivery does not step back and keeps on hustling.
16 Ivery Treats Pompeo Like a Diamond
Romance is not dead, and Chris Ivery and Ellen Pompeo are living proof.
When it came to making their relationship official, Ivery did not hold back and hit a home run ― go big or go home, right? With a net worth of $10 million, Ivery surely did not have troubles spoiling the love of his life when it came to committing to her.
On her 37th birthday, her life changed, as Ivery made it the greatest birthday ever by proposing to her. He got on one knee with an emerald-cut diamond worth $98,000
Evidently, she said yes ― who wouldn't?
15 Ivery Is Really Smart
Although he's not nearly as famous as his wife, there's a lot more to Chris Ivery than is known to the public.
As mentioned previously, they both grew up in Massachusetts, but it might surprise you to learn that he attended the prestigious Harvard University, Panda Gossips reports. Clearly, he had other plans in the works to give him a solid future.
14 Pompeo Sees Him For The Man He Is Today
He grew up only 10 miles away from his leading lady, but went through a difficult upbringing. Although not much is said about his difficult childhood, The Famous People reports that Ivery has claimed his time spent in the blue-collar suburbs of Boston contributed to his past troubles with the law. Luckily, Pompeo totally understood and accepted him for his past, without any reservations.
13 He Was A Troubled Twenty-Something
A man of distinction, Ivery had to go through trials and tribulations to get there.
In 1987 , when he was just 20 years old, it was the first time Ivery was caught for his wrongdoings and got in trouble with the law, as The Famous People reports. He was not let go, and consequently had to spend three months doing time. However, it did not stop there, as he got in trouble again a short while later for the same offence. He spent 15 months away.
12 Ivery Wanted A “Secret” Wedding
Pompeo has been in heaven since 2007, when she married her soulmate. Their marriage has been going strong since, and we are so thrilled for the couple that give us real #relationshipgoals.
However, Ivery is a low-key man, and so when he and Pompeo wed, they didn't get married like other Hollywood couples do. Ivery wanted a secret wedding, and so, the couple walked down the aisle at City Hall in New York, as Martha Stewart Weddings reports.
The wedding ceremony in Manhattan was the simplest celebration, but that is what they wanted for their special day. The humble man did not need a lavish ceremony to express his love for her ― aww. There to witness their wedding vows was the New York City mayor of the time, Michael Bloomberg.
11 He Has Been The Center Of Controversy
Although the couple is happier than ever, there was heat that surrounded them in the past.
In 2009, Ivery was the target of an infidelity rumour. A restaurant hostess came forward to disclose she was having a relationship with the music producer.
Then in 2012, he was once again accused of betraying Pompeo, as sources claimed that he was seen flirting with another woman at a Guns 'N Roses concert, Your Tango reports.
10 Ivery Is Quite The Joker
Remember when Ashton Kutcher hosted the hilarious prank show Punk'd on MTV? Well, Ivery is quite the funny man. He pulled a prank on Pompeo on national TV with the help of Kutcher.
Ivery played the accomplice in the prank that definitely revved up Pompeo's engine. To prank Pompeo, Ivery took her to a diner where a gorgeous waitress was told to flirt with him a lot to rile Pompeo up, Wet Paint reports. It clearly worked!
9 Ivery Is Obsessed With Fashion
If you take a glimpse at just a couple of photos of Ivery, one thing will be clear: the man knows how to look dapper.
Whether he is at a basketball game or strolling the streets hand-in-hand with his children, his outfits are always top of the line.
When their daughter Stella was born, Ivery took a keen interest in her wardrobe. In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Pompeo claimed, "He loves dressing her up like him...He goes out and buys her clothes that look like his clothes," Hello magazine reports.
8 Ivery Is Supportive
Ivery is a prime role model for all fathers out there, so listen up folks. While being a music producer is no easy task, Pompeo, as the star of Grey's Anatomy, has a hectic and troubling schedule.
Because Pompeo is on set for numerous days in a row, it is a challenge for her to be around her children, but her very own superhero is always there for her. She has praised her husband on various occasions for being the greatest father one could only dream of. While she is not there, he has never missed a beat, and is truly family-oriented and supportive.
7 Ivery Is A Simple Dude
Pompeo and Ivery have quite the blissful relationship, and we believe that is because they keep things simple.
In many interviews, Pompeo has expressed how much of a modest man her one and only is. Though he has a beach house in Malibu, he is not big on extravagance, which perfectly suits Pompeo.
His simplicity is even seen in how he appreciates a natural wife. According to Wet Paint, Pompeo once said,
"I don’t really like a lot of makeup, and my husband doesn’t really like a lot of makeup."
She added that her husband is "so supportive. He's amazing."
6 Ivery Is A Confident Man
There is no kidding that Pompeo is a talented and head-strong woman, and no man would scurry from her. But it seems that her husband is the same.
In an appearance on Queen Latifah's now-cancelled talkshow, Pompeo openly spoke about how secure her husband is. "He’s just so secure that nothing shakes him," she said, as Bustle reports. "If it did shake him, I wouldn’t know."
5 Ivery Can’t Handle Everything
Even though Pompeo has been at the height of her career over the past few years, it has not been the easiest time at home.
Pompeo knows that her husband, like everyone else in the world, is not perfect and has his flaws. On multiple occasions, including in an interview with People magazine, Pompeo has mentioned his weakness, which is not being able to multitask.
Pompeo told People that she has no choice but to have an assistant, two nannies and two housekeepers. We previously mentioned that he has raised the children without her presence, but that does not mean he is an exceptional multi-tasker!
4 His Past Is Not All Rosy
Nobody is perfect, right? People make mistakes, but that does not define them.
Pompeo's husband has a record with numerous past convictions. Though Ivery cleaned up, in the past he committed fraud, trafficking, and counterfeiting documents, along with some other offences, Your Tango reports.
3 Ivery Has Ditched Meat
More and more people are becoming vegan, and Ivery is one of them.
When his wife jumped on the vegan wagon, Ivery instantly joined her. His plant-based diet is strictly incorporated into the household, which makes it easy to understand why Pompeo is so grateful for him. These two definitely support each other, as their entire family is now following a vegan diet, People reports.
2 Ivery Is Not The Outgoing Type
Do not expect to see Ivery out and about at the hottest Los Angeles nightclubs or posh restaurants. Despite having a hefty net worth, living in LA and having a sense of style, Ivery rarely goes out. If you see Ivery and his beautiful wife out on the town, it is perhaps in front-row seats at a basketball game.
Because Ivery often refuses to go out at night, it is rare that we get to see the couple together in action. If the paparazzi want a shot at seeing the happy duo, it is best for them to be around at lunchtime. They're often snapped going on lunch dates together.
1 Ivery Is A Fan Of The Celtics
If ever you want to snag the chance of meeting your favourite fictional surgeon, look no further than a Boston Celtics game. Both she and Chris are Celtic fans. Ivery adores his team so much that in 2010, when the Celtics lost in the NBA finals to the LA Lakers, he went to great lengths to protect his team. He went out of his way to remove an ad in the newspaper that was critical of the team, The Daily Mail reports. Now that's dedication, and Ellen was right by his side helping him.
References: The Daily Mail, Female First, Celebrity Net Worth, Panda, Your Tango
