In a poignant revelation during the season 22 premiere of *Deadliest Catch*, Jake Anderson, a familiar face on the show, announced that he is divorcing his wife Jenna Anderson after 13 years of marriage. The emotional moment unfolded as Jake shared insights into the difficulties of their relationship, set against the backdrop of his demanding career as a crab fisherman and ongoing personal challenges.
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“After 17 years together and 13 years married, Jenna and I have decided to part ways,” Jake stated in the episode. He attributed the split, in part, to the considerable time he spends away at sea. “The major reason is that I’m often away crab fishing, leaving little time for family,” he explained. “But I have three little ones that need to eat, go to school, and attend doctor’s appointments, and at this moment, I don’t have a job to support them.”
Filming for this season took place in the autumn of 2025, at which point Jake revealed the couple had already been living separately for eight months. They share three children: Aiden, 11, Cadence, who will soon turn 9, and Luka, aged 6.
In addition to the personal turmoil, the episode also highlighted Jake’s attempts to navigate financial and legal challenges amid his marital split. During a meeting with a lawyer, he received troubling updates about his stake in the Titan Explorer, his fishing vessel. The lawyer advised him against investing more into the vessel, as it could become an asset subject to division during the divorce.
Despite these hurdles, Jake stepped back into a familiar role, taking up the position of captain on the Cornelia Marie, an iconic fishing boat once helmed by the late Phil Harris. Reflecting on past experiences, Jake recalled, “I worked on it before. I was young and just met Jenna, facing many challenges at the time. Life was tough.”
Jake’s relationship with Jenna began in 2009 when they met at a festival in Seattle. He reminisced about their first encounter, where he was on “shipyard duty” when Jenna and her family approached him for autographs. “I signed it, ‘You’re beautiful,’” he remembered.
Encouraged by her nieces to reach out, Jenna quickly established a connection with Jake. “I was living on the boat, trying to save money and stay out of trouble. We started calling each other for weeks and eventually fell in love,” he recalled.
The couple tied the knot in 2012, with fellow fisherman Sig Hansen officiating their wedding. Jenna later shared the story surrounding Jake’s proposal, describing a romantic moment at a secluded lookout point as the sun began to set. She recalled the excitement and anticipation she felt as Jake professed his love and ultimately proposed. “Before I knew it, he was down on one knee asking me to marry him,” Jenna explained, recalling her ecstatic response.
Over the years, Jake has been open about his struggles with addiction and the significant support he received from Jenna throughout his recovery journey. In a touching tribute to her on Mother’s Day in 2023, he expressed his deep appreciation, writing, “I love you, Jenna. You’re the best mum! My mum and I never thought we’d see the day when I would have children of my own.”
He further reflected on the challenges he faced during his battle with alcoholism, stating, “I’ve been to hell, but then my mum came and picked me up.” His emotional gratitude towards both Jenna and his mother highlighted the importance of their support in his life during difficult times.
As Jake faces this new chapter, his commitment to his children remains steadfast, even amidst the instability of his personal life. Navigating both the emotional aspects of his divorce and the demands of his profession, Jake Anderson is a testament to the complexities of balancing family obligations and career aspirations in the unforgiving world of crab fishing.