Heidi Van Pelt: Taran Noah Smith’s Ex-Wife

Heidi Van Pelt is an American vegan chef, entrepreneur, and former wife of actor Taran Noah Smith. She gained media attention due to their controversial marriage, which had a significant age gap. 

Despite this, she built a successful career in the vegan food industry. Over the years, she has owned multiple plant-based restaurants and promoted healthy living. Her journey includes academic struggles, business ventures, and personal challenges.

Who is Heidi Van Pelt? 

Heidi Van Pelt is an American chef and entrepreneur. She gained public attention due to her relationship with former child actor Taran Noah Smith. Despite her fame from this marriage, she has built a career in the vegan culinary industry. Her life has been full of twists, including a controversial marriage, a thriving business, and personal challenges.

Born in Missouri, Heidi pursued various academic paths before finding her passion for food. She eventually became a well-known vegan chef and restaurant owner. She dedicated herself to promoting plant-based diets. However, her personal and professional life has seen ups and downs. After her divorce, she continued to focus on her career, making a name for herself in the vegan food industry.

Taran Noah Smith’s Ex-Wife

Heidi Van Pelt is best known as the former wife of Taran Noah Smith. Taran rose to fame as a child actor on the hit TV show Home Improvement. Their relationship gained significant media attention because of their age gap. When they got married, Heidi was 33 years old, while Taran was just 17.

The couple married in 2001 when Taran was still a teenager. Their relationship faced criticism due to the significant age difference. 

Their marriage faced criticism from the public and media. Many questioned the legitimacy of their relationship. Despite the negativity, they stayed together for several years. However, their marriage eventually ended in divorce. The separation was widely covered in the media. Their personal and professional disagreements contributed to their breakup.

However, personal differences and business disputes led to their divorce. Their separation was finalized in 2007. After the divorce, Taran moved on to other ventures. He distanced himself from Hollywood and focused on his interests. Heidi, on the other hand, continued her work in the vegan food industry. Their relationship remains a significant chapter in her life story.

Heidi Van Pelt Age

Heidi Van Pelt was born on July 11, 1968. As of 2025, she is 55 years old. She has spent many years in the culinary industry, focusing on vegan food. Her experience and expertise have helped her build a successful career in this field.

Despite her past controversies, she has remained dedicated to her passion. She has worked hard to establish herself as a respected figure in the vegan food community. Her age and experience have played a crucial role in shaping her journey.

Heidi Van Pelt Early Life

Heidi Van Pelt grew up in Missouri. Her childhood was not easy, as her parents separated when she was young. She had to adapt to different family dynamics. This experience shaped her strong and independent personality.

She attended Blue Springs High School and later transferred to Oak Park High School. She graduated in 1986. After high school, she enrolled at Stephens College, where she studied fashion design. However, she later changed her academic direction.

She explored different fields of study, including German and philosophy at the University of Missouri. In 1988, she joined the University of Washington to study Russian. Her academic journey was diverse but lacked a clear focus. Eventually, she decided to pursue a different path.

Heidi Van Pelt Career

Heidi Van Pelt found her passion in vegan cuisine. She moved to Los Angeles, where she became a well-known vegan chef. She dedicated her time to creating healthy, plant-based dishes. Her commitment to veganism led her to open a restaurant.

She co-founded a vegan restaurant called Playfood. The restaurant specialized in non-dairy cheese and raw vegan food. It quickly gained popularity among health-conscious individuals. Her business grew, and she gained recognition in the culinary industry.

However, her business faced challenges, especially after her divorce. Despite this, she remained committed to her mission. She later moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and opened another vegan restaurant called Füd. This restaurant attracted a loyal customer base. However, it also faced internal difficulties, leading to its closure.

Net Worth

Heidi Van Pelt’s exact net worth is not publicly known. However, she made money from her vegan restaurants and other business ventures. Her restaurant Playfood was a successful business for a time. Her later venture, Füd, also attracted attention before closing.

Her financial situation remains private. She has chosen to stay out of the spotlight since her divorce. Her earnings likely come from her culinary work and other investments. While she is not as famous as before, she has built a stable career.

Heidi Van Pelt Children

There is no public record of Heidi Van Pelt having children. During her marriage to Taran Noah Smith, they did not have any kids. After their divorce, she has kept her personal life private.

She focused on her career and business rather than starting a family. Since she prefers to live away from the public eye, there is little information about her personal life today.

Heidi Van Pelt Family

Heidi Van Pelt’s family background remains mostly private. She grew up in Missouri and experienced a difficult childhood. Her parents’ separation affected her early life. She has not shared much information about her family in public. After her divorce, she chose to live a low-profile life. Her main focus has been her culinary career and business ventures.

Conclusion

Heidi Van Pelt has led an interesting and eventful life. From a difficult childhood to a controversial marriage, she has faced many challenges. However, she has always pursued her passion for vegan cuisine.

Her career as a vegan chef has made her a respected figure in the plant-based food industry. Despite personal and professional struggles, she continues to focus on what she loves. Her journey shows resilience, dedication, and a commitment to a healthier lifestyle.