Ani DiFranco is an American singer, songwriter, musician, poet, and activist. She has been a major figure in the independent music scene since the early 1990s. Over the course of her career, Ani has been married twice.
Ani DiFranco’s first husband
In 1998, at age 27, Ani DiFranco married her sound engineer Andrew Gilchrist in a civil ceremony at her Glen Ellen, CA home. Andrew Gilchrist had been working as Ani’s sound engineer since 1994. The two had met and started dating while working together on tours and in the studio.
Not much is publicly known about Andrew Gilchrist. He has stayed out of the spotlight and maintained his privacy over the years. Based on limited available information, here are a few key facts about Ani’s first husband Andrew:
- He was born in the late 1960s, a few years before Ani, making him in his late 20s when they married.
- He is from the Detroit, Michigan area originally.
- He started working as a sound engineer in the early 1990s, often doing live sound for punk bands in the Detroit music scene.
- He began working with Ani DiFranco in 1994 handling sound at her live shows. They dated for several years before marrying.
- Ani praised Andrew’s skills and dedication as a sound engineer. She said he took great care to meet her exacting standards for live sound quality.
Ani DiFranco and Andrew Gilchrist were married for about two years before separating. Their divorce was finalized in 2001. Neither has publicly discussed the reasons for their divorce. By all accounts, it was an amicable split and they have remained on good terms.
Ani DiFranco’s second husband
In January 2007, Ani DiFranco married her second husband Mike Napolitano. Unlike her first husband, Mike Napolitano is a fellow musician and has been a visible part of Ani’s public life over the past 15+ years.
Background on Mike Napolitano
Mike Napolitano was born in 1970 in Terre Haute, Indiana. He comes from a musical family – his father was a jazz musician. Napolitano picked up multiple instruments at a young age and was playing in bands by his teens.
In the early 90s, he moved to New Orleans and became an active part of the music scene there. He co-founded the band ViperHouse and played instruments including guitar, bass, keyboards, and trumpet with various jazz, funk, soul, and rock groups in New Orleans.
Meeting Ani DiFranco
Napolitano first met Ani DiFranco when she was looking for a new guitarist and bassist for her touring band. He impressed her with his versatility and range. She invited him to go on tour with her as a multi-instrumentalist in 2004.
Touring together sparked a romantic connection between the two musicians. Over the next few years, their friendship blossomed into a relationship. Napolitano continued touring with DiFranco and also began contributing to her studio albums as a musician, arranger, and producer.
Marriage and children
After several years together, Ani and Mike were married in a private New Orleans ceremony on January 20, 2007. Months later, in June 2007, they welcomed their first child, a daughter named Petah Lucia Napolitano.
The family made their home in Buffalo, NY to be closer to Ani’s parents. In April 2009, Ani gave birth to their second child, son Dante DiFranco Napolitano. Mike took a break from touring to be home with the kids during their early years.
Musical and business partnerships
Professionally, Mike Napolitano continued to collaborate closely with Ani DiFranco in the recording studio and on tour. He has contributed as a musician and producer on the majority of her albums over the past 15 years.
The two also co-founded the Righteous Babe Records label together in 2016 after Ani split from her original business partner. They run the company as equal partners handling both business operations and creative output.
Today, Napolitano balances touring, recording, running a record label, and parenting alongside his wife Ani DiFranco. By all accounts, they have a strong musical and personal bond that has stood the test of time.
Comparison of Ani’s two husbands
| Husband | Andrew Gilchrist | Mike Napolitano |
|---|---|---|
| Occupation | Sound engineer | Musician, producer |
| Hometown | Detroit, MI | Terre Haute, IN |
| Met Ani | 1994 working concerts | 2004 joined her tour band |
| Married | 1998 | 2007 |
| Children | None | Daughter and son |
In summary, Ani’s first marriage to Andrew Gilchrist lasted about 2 years. He was her sound engineer and they met when working together in the studio and on tour. Her second and current husband Mike Napolitano is a fellow musician who she collaborates closely with. They have been married 15+ years and have two children together.
Current relationship status
Ani DiFranco remains happily married to her second husband, Mike Napolitano. The musical and life partners celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary in January 2022.
The family continues to be based in Buffalo, NY. Ani and Mike balance high-profile careers in the music industry with raising their teenage daughter and son. They collaborate on new albums and run the Righteous Babe record label together.
By all accounts, Ani and Mike have a strong, stable marriage built on musical chemistry and deep mutual respect. After two very different marriages, Ani seems to have found an ideal partner and co-parent in Mike Napolitano.
Going on nearly 25 years together, their marriage shows no signs of slowing down. Ani frequently expresses her love and appreciation for Mike both on and off stage. It’s clear he is both her rock at home and her close creative collaborator.
Highlights of Mike Napolitano and Ani’s marriage
- Met in 2004 when Mike joined Ani’s touring band as multi-instrumentalist
- Married in intimate New Orleans ceremony in January 2007
- Welcomed daughter Petah Lucia in 2007 and son Dante in 2009
- Mike took break from touring to parent young kids while Ani toured
- Musical and life partners collaborate closely on albums and tours
- Formed Righteous Babe Records together in 2016
- Celebrated 15 year wedding anniversary in January 2022
- Continue to thrive both personally and creatively as a couple
Conclusion
After two marriages, Ani DiFranco found an ideal partner and husband in Mike Napolitano. The two musicians connected deeply both personally and creatively. Married since 2007, they raise a family and collaborate as artistic partners in Buffalo, NY.
Ani seems happier and more stable in her second marriage to Mike than she did in her brief first marriage to sound engineer Andrew Gilchrist. Mike shares her passion for music and performs by her side. By all accounts, their marriage is a lasting partnership filled with creativity and love.
