Helen Morris: Her Lasting Relationship with Husband Martin Scorsese Began with an Interview

After a few marriages that did not last, Martin Scorsese found love again with his wife, Helen Morris, in the 1990s. The couple later welcomed a daughter, and Helen Morris has supported her husband throughout her battle with Parkinson's disease.

Martin Scorsese has made a name for himself as an Italian-American filmmaker — with multiple iconic movie titles under his belt and accolades. He took a fifth trip down the aisle in the late 1990s after meeting his wife, Helen Morris.

Like her famous husband, Helen Morris has spent years in the film industry but has had to balance her career with motherhood and Parkinson's diagnosis. However, Martin Scorsese's wife has not let the disorder slow her down.

Martin Scorsese and Helen Morris at the premiere of "Gangs of New York" on December 9, 2002. | Source: Getty Images

Who Is Martin Scorsese's Wife, Helen Morris?

After spending some time as an editor in the 1990s for Random House magazine, Helen began working in movie production for New Line Cinema in 1998. She held the position for years before moving higher up in the ranks.

Since leaving New Line Cinema in 2007, Helen has been based in Los Angeles and has worked as a Movie Production Executive at Paramount Pictures. Over the years, she has also earned her Master's Degree in Film, Cinema, and Video Studies from UCLA.

Martin Scorsese and Helen Morris at the premiere of "Silence" on January 12, 2017, in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images

How Did Martin Scorsese Meet His Wife?

Helen interviewed Martin during her time at At Random, and the couple later tied the knot on July 22, 1999. They also welcomed a daughter — the filmmaker's third — and named her Francesca, after Martin's maternal grandmother.

Despite her Parkinson's diagnosis, Helen has joined and supported her loved ones at public events.

According to reports, Helen and Martin's long-lasting marriage allowed the latter to play a more hands-on role in Francesca's life. Due to his past divorces, Martin could only get involved in his older children's lives at a later stage. However, that was not the case with his and Helen's daughter.

Martin Scorsese and Helen Morris at the 14th Rome Film Festival on October 21, 2019, in Rome, Italy. | Source: Getty Images

Helen Morris Has Had Parkinson's since She Was in Her 30s

During an interview, Helen's daughter revealed that the former editor, now in her 70s, has struggled with Parkinson's disease for over three decades and most of her daughter's life.

According to Francesca, sometimes her mother suffers moments of memory loss, "almost like dementia." However, after "periods of that," Helen "comes back" and is "fully there." Martin and Helen's daughter further shared:

"And my way of dealing with it is putting it into my art and trying to express those feelings through my work."

Martin Scorsese, Helen Morris and Francesa Scorsese at the 76th annual Cannes film festival on May 20, 2023, in Cannes, France. | Source: Getty Images

Helen's husband also spoke about her and her family's experience with her disorder. He shared that she drew great inspiration from Michael J. Fox, an actor and activist diagnosed with Parkinson's.

"He also became a real guiding light for so many others with Parkinson's — that includes my wife, Helen [Morris]. Michael, your support has meant the world to her and to me," Helen's husband said.

Martin Scorsese, Helen Scorsese and Francesca Scorsese at the 2023 Tribeca Festival on June 11, 2023, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

How Has Helen Morris Handled Having Parkinson's?

Despite her Parkinson's diagnosis, Helen has joined and supported her loved ones at public events. In 2019, Martin's wife looked timelessly elegant in an all-black ensemble while attending the 14th Rome Film Festival with her family.

In May of this year, she donned a patterned dress as she walked the carpet at the 76th Annual Cannes Film Festival with the support of her husband — who has worked with greats like Al Pacino, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Robert De Niro — and daughter.

Martin and his daughter — who was making her directorial debut — had films at the Cannes Film Festival this year. Helen also attended the 2023 Tribeca Festival in June, where her daughter's movie officially premiered.

ncG1vNJzZmimlazAb63MqKSapZFjsLC5jm1oa25nZXqpscuepWaln6e%2Fqr%2BMoZyrZZyWwLW1zaBkq52clsGqu82sn6KoXp3Brrg%3D