Dr Mark Hyman’s First Wife: Who Is Sheryl Neuman and Why Her Story Matters

If you’re a fan of functional medicine, wellness advocacy, or just someone who enjoys a good health podcast, you’ve likely heard of Dr Mark Hyman. He’s the bestselling author of Food: What the Heck Should I Eat?, founder of The UltraWellness Center, and a trusted voice in the health world. He regularly shares tips on how to reverse chronic illness, optimize aging, and use food as medicine. But while his professional life is well-documented and highly public, his personal story is far more private. That’s why a question that occasionally arises among curious readers is: who was Dr Mark Hyman’s first wife?

The answer lies with Dr Sheryl Neuman, a fellow physician with her own impressive career. Although Dr Hyman has kept details of this past relationship relatively quiet, information reveals that Sheryl Neuman was more than a passing figure in his life. Their partnership began before his rise to national prominence and appears to have played a formative role during his early medical years. While she remains out of the spotlight, her influence and shared vision with Hyman give us a more complete picture of the man behind the wellness movement.

Who Is Dr Mark Hyman?

Born in 1959, Dr Mark Hyman has long stood at the intersection of traditional and integrative medicine. He trained as a family physician and later gravitated toward functional medicine, which seeks to address the root causes of illness rather than merely managing symptoms. Over the years, he has built a reputation as a trailblazer, speaking out about nutrition, environmental health, gut biology, and chronic disease prevention.

Dr Hyman’s body of work includes more than a dozen bestselling books, countless TV appearances, and hundreds of interviews. He is also a senior advisor at the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine and host of the popular Doctor’s Farmacy podcast. While his public voice is strong, he rarely brings personal relationships into his narrative—except when reflecting on growth, mistakes, or life lessons. That’s part of what makes his first marriage so intriguing.

Meet Dr Sheryl Neuman

Dr Sheryl Neuman is a California-based internal medicine physician who has built a respected career of her own. She earned her MD from UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine in 1985 and completed additional training in public health. She has practiced in the Los Angeles area and is affiliated with medical groups that emphasize long-term, patient-focused care. Those familiar with her work describe her as deeply committed to her patients, professional, and discreet.

While there is no official biography detailing her personal life, her name has surfaced in a few places, including charitable donations and acknowledgments linked to Dr Hyman’s family. Their joint philanthropic efforts—particularly through Jewish organizations—suggest a shared value system rooted in community, giving, and purpose. For example, during their son’s bar mitzvah, both Dr Hyman and Dr Neuman contributed to a family-based giving circle focused on causes in Israel. These shared efforts point to a deeper connection beyond professional overlap.

The Early Years of Their Marriage

Dr Mark Hyman and Dr Sheryl Neuman were likely married during the years when Hyman was still exploring his career path. At that time, he was working in family medicine, beginning to think beyond conventional treatment methods, and slowly shaping what would become his functional medicine philosophy. That kind of exploration requires emotional stability and practical support, which suggests that Sheryl was by his side during a pivotal period.

Though the exact timeline of their marriage remains private, it likely predates the publication of his first major book in 2006 (Ultrametabolism). By the time Hyman emerged on the national stage, he was no longer publicly partnered with Neuman, and she had already returned to a private, independent life as a physician.

Shared Vision and Values

Despite the lack of media exposure or joint interviews, Dr Hyman’s and Dr Neuman’s partnership seemed grounded in shared ideals. As physicians, they both committed their lives to healing others. As parents, they worked together to raise a child and engage with causes that aligned with their values. While their marriage didn’t last, the echoes of their shared vision still resonate in their separate careers.

Their family’s involvement in philanthropy—especially in Jewish giving initiatives—highlights a mutual belief in responsibility and contribution. These are values that continue to show up in Hyman’s professional life, from his involvement in the Eat Real campaign to his advocacy for food systems reform. It’s not unreasonable to believe that this mindset was nurtured, in part, during his marriage to Sheryl Neuman.

Respecting the Private Past

What makes this story particularly compelling is how little drama surrounds it. There are no tabloids, exposés, or messy public accounts. Instead, there is mutual respect, quiet professionalism, and a clear desire for privacy. Sheryl Neuman has never given an interview about her former marriage, and Dr Hyman has never spoken negatively about their relationship. This silence speaks volumes. It suggests maturity, boundaries, and an understanding that not every part of life is meant for public consumption.

In an age when oversharing is the norm, this respectful distance is refreshing. It reminds us that public figures can, and should, keep certain aspects of their lives personal. Dr Hyman has chosen to share plenty with the world—his philosophies, his health struggles, even his aging journey—but he’s drawn a firm line when it comes to past relationships. And that line deserves to be honored.