Heidi Van Pelt: Everything You Should Know About Heidi Van Pelt Family Life

Heidi Van Pelt is a name that gained considerable media attention, not only for her career and interests in health and wellness but also for her high-profile relationship with child actor Taran Noah Smith. While her professional ventures are notable in the world of raw food, nutrition, and alternative living, much of the public curiosity revolves around her personal and family life.

Quick Bio Table: Who Is Heidi Van Pelt?

Who Is Heidi Van Pelt?

Heidi Van Pelt is an American raw food chef, health consultant, and entrepreneur. However, she rose to national recognition due to her marriage to Taran Noah Smith, the former child star best known for playing Mark Taylor on the popular 1990s sitcom Home Improvement.

Their relationship sparked controversy due to the significant age difference—Heidi was 32, and Taran was just 17 when they began dating and eventually got married. This unusual union not only brought Heidi under the media spotlight but also led to extensive scrutiny of her personal and family life.

Early Life and Background

Heidi Van Pelt was born and raised in Missouri. From an early age, she showed a deep interest in alternative lifestyles, health, and nutrition. Growing up in the Midwest, Heidi’s background was fairly conventional, though she later gravitated toward more alternative paths, especially when it came to diet and wellness.

She studied German and philosophy at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, before transferring to the University of Missouri. Later, her academic journey took her to California, where she studied film production and nutrition, aligning with her evolving interests.

Her early life laid the foundation for her career in holistic health, and her interest in raw food diets and wellness soon became more than just a passion—it became her profession.

Age and Physical Appearance

As of 2025, Heidi Van Pelt is 56 years old. She has remained relatively private in recent years, but during her public appearances in the early 2000s, she was known for her striking features and bohemian style, which resonated with her alternative health persona.

Physical Appearance:

• Hair Color: Blonde (often styled naturally)
• Eye Color: Blue
• Build: Slim to average
• Height: Estimated around 5’6”

Her youthful appearance at the time of her marriage to Taran Noah Smith added to the public’s fascination with the couple, especially given the unconventional dynamics of their relationship.

Education

Heidi Van Pelt’s educational path has been eclectic, much like her lifestyle. She studied several subjects during her college years, including:

• German and Philosophy at Stephens College
• Film Production at UCLA
• Nutrition and Alternative Medicine through various programs

Her varied academic background reflects her diverse interests, particularly in holistic health, which later influenced her professional career and entrepreneurial ventures.

Her Marriage and Relationship with Taran Noah Smith

One of the most well-known aspects of Heidi Van Pelt’s family life is her marriage to Taran Noah Smith.

Timeline:

• Met: When Taran was around 16 years old
• Married: 2001, when Taran was 17 and Heidi was 33
• Divorced: 2007, after six years of marriage

This relationship drew significant media attention because of:

• The age gap (16 years)
• The fact that Taran was still a minor when the relationship began
• Legal concerns raised by Taran’s parents, who reportedly opposed the relationship

Despite the criticism, the couple started a business together—a vegan and organic restaurant and food company called Playfood, which specialized in dairy-free, organic, and health-conscious foods.

The marriage ended in 2007, and the reasons cited ranged from personal differences to business disagreements. Their split was public, and while Taran returned to a more private life, Heidi continued her work in alternative health.

Children

Heidi Van Pelt is reported to have one child with Taran Noah Smith, although specific details about the child’s name, age, and current status are not publicly confirmed. Due to the couple’s intensely scrutinized relationship and subsequent desire for privacy, information regarding their child is limited.

There are conflicting reports online about the existence of the child, and neither parent has publicly shared pictures or in-depth details. Out of respect for the child’s privacy, they have remained largely out of the public eye.

Family Life and Current Living

After her divorce from Taran Noah Smith, Heidi Van Pelt stepped away from the public spotlight. She has kept a relatively low profile in recent years, though her passion for health and wellness is believed to still play a large role in her life.

While there are few confirmed details about her current residence, it is widely believed that she resides in the Midwest or West Coast, continuing her work in wellness consulting, alternative diets, and possibly sustainable living.

Heidi has not remarried publicly since her split with Taran, and little is known about her romantic relationships following the divorce.

Career in Health and Wellness

While much of her public identity was tied to her marriage, Heidi Van Pelt built a reputation in the alternative health community.

Career Highlights:

• Co-founder of Playfood, a vegan/organic restaurant and food company
• Advocate of raw food diets
• Wellness coach and holistic nutrition consultant
• Known for promoting sustainable, healthy lifestyles

Despite the closure of Playfood, Heidi’s influence in the raw food and vegan community continues to be recognized, especially among those who follow alternative diets.

Controversies and Media Spotlight

Heidi Van Pelt’s life has not been free from controversy. Most of the media attention focused on her relationship with Taran Noah Smith, but additional scrutiny came during and after their business dealings. Some of the issues reported include:

• Alleged legal disputes over the Playfood business
• Public criticism of her age difference with Taran
• Questions about guardianship and consent, given that Taran was underage when the relationship began

Despite the public perception, Heidi has managed to maintain a degree of privacy and has avoided any major scandals since the divorce.

Where Is Heidi Van Pelt Now?

As of 2025, Heidi Van Pelt is believed to be living a quieter life, continuing her interest in health and wellness away from the limelight. She has not made recent public appearances, nor has she maintained an active presence on social media.

Those who follow the raw food and vegan movement occasionally reference her early contributions to the space, but Heidi herself has chosen not to return to a public platform in recent years.

Conclusion

Heidi Van Pelt remains an intriguing figure due to her unique lifestyle, career choices, and headline-grabbing personal life. While her name became widely known due to her controversial relationship with actor Taran Noah Smith, her background in wellness and health deserves recognition as well.

Her journey reflects a complex blend of unconventional choices, public scrutiny, and a commitment to personal values. Whether admired or criticized, everything you should know about Heidi Van Pelt family life reveals a woman who has navigated fame, family, and fortune on her own terms.

FAQ: Everything You Should Know About Heidi Van Pelt Family Life

1. Who is Heidi Van Pelt?

Heidi Van Pelt is an American wellness expert and raw food chef who gained media attention after marrying former child actor Taran Noah Smith.

2. How old is Heidi Van Pelt?

As of 2025, Heidi Van Pelt is 56 years old. She was born on July 11, 1968.

3. Was Heidi Van Pelt married to Taran Noah Smith?

Yes, she was married to Taran Noah Smith from 2001 to 2007. Their relationship was controversial due to a significant age gap.

4. Does Heidi Van Pelt have children?

Reports suggest she has one child with Taran Noah Smith, although details remain private.