Edward Abel Smith is a British businessman and former Virgin Galactic executive who is best known as the husband of Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet. He is also the nephew of Sir Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group. Born in 1978, he famously spent several years legally known as Ned Rocknroll, before changing his name back to Edward Abel Smith in 2019. He and Kate Winslet married in 2012.

Although he comes from a famous family and married one of Britain’s biggest film stars, Edward Abel Smith has always preferred a life out of the spotlight, and he is now widely described as a devoted, stay-at-home father. This article looks at his background, his unusual name change, how he met Kate Winslet, and where he is today.

Edward Abel Smith: Quick Facts

Who Is Edward Abel Smith?

Edward Abel Smith is a British businessman best known as the third husband of actress Kate Winslet. He is the nephew of the billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, and he once worked for Branson’s commercial spaceflight company, Virgin Galactic.

For a period of his life he was legally known as Ned Rocknroll, a name that drew considerable attention once he began dating Kate Winslet. Today he is best known as a supportive husband and a hands-on father, having stepped back from his career to focus on family life.

Edward Abel Smith’s Family and Background

Edward Abel Smith was born in 1978 into a well-connected British family. His mother is a sister of Sir Richard Branson, which makes Edward the nephew of one of Britain’s most famous entrepreneurs. His father was Robert Abel Smith, and his parents divorced when he was young.

He was raised largely by his mother and stepfather in the Parsons Green area of southwest London. Growing up close to the Branson family, he was surrounded from an early age by the world of Virgin’s businesses and Sir Richard’s adventurous, entrepreneurial spirit.

Why Did Edward Abel Smith Change His Name to Ned Rocknroll?

In 2008, Edward Abel Smith legally changed his surname, becoming Ned Rocknroll. Ned had long been used as a nickname for Edward, and he chose the surname Rocknroll as a playful, free-spirited gesture that reflected his personality, rather than any serious statement.

He kept the name for over a decade, including in the early years of his marriage to Kate Winslet. In 2019, he changed it back to Edward Abel Smith. Winslet has joked that the name Rocknroll became impractical once he was married to a well-known actress, especially when filling in official forms for their child. He reportedly also added Winslet as a middle name, so the family could share a name when travelling.

Edward Abel Smith’s Career at Virgin Galactic

Before he became known as Kate Winslet’s husband, Edward Abel Smith built a career within his uncle’s business empire. He worked for Virgin Galactic, Sir Richard Branson’s ambitious commercial spaceflight venture, which aims to carry paying passengers into space.

His roles there were connected to marketing and the customer experience for future space tourists. In time, he chose to step away from that work. After marrying Kate Winslet, he moved with her to focus on family life, eventually becoming a full-time, stay-at-home father.

How Edward Abel Smith Met Kate Winslet

Edward Abel Smith and Kate Winslet met in August 2011 on Necker Island, Sir Richard Branson’s private Caribbean island, where both were among the guests. Their meeting quickly became dramatic. During Hurricane Irene, a lightning strike set fire to Branson’s Great House mansion.

In the chaos, Kate Winslet helped carry Branson’s 90-year-old mother to safety, an act of quick thinking that made headlines around the world. The intense, shared experience drew Kate and Edward together. Kate has since said it became clear to her that he was the person she was meant to spend her life with. They married in December 2012 in a highly private ceremony in New York, at which Kate was walked down the aisle by her close friend and Titanic co-star, Leonardo DiCaprio.

Edward Abel Smith and Kate Winslet’s Family

Edward Abel Smith and Kate Winslet have one child together, a son named Bear Blaze Winslet, who was born in December 2013. Edward is also stepfather to Kate’s two children from her previous marriages, Mia Threapleton and Joe Mendes, both of whom have pursued creative careers.

Kate has often praised Edward as the rock of the family. She has spoken about how he supports her work, even helping her rehearse her lines despite being severely dyslexic, and how he has embraced the role of a devoted stay-at-home dad. The family lives a quiet life at a country home in Sussex.

Where Is Edward Abel Smith Today?

As of 2026, Edward Abel Smith continues to live a private, family-focused life in Sussex with Kate Winslet and their son. He is known for a grounded, wellness-oriented lifestyle, and he remains far more comfortable out of the spotlight than in it, despite being married to a global film star.

His story sits alongside those of other people connected to fame who value their privacy, such as Lyndrea Price, the private sister of tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams. The Sheffield Magazine also profiles figures with a similarly adventurous, free-spirited streak, including the mountain biking legend Steve Peat.

Why Edward Abel Smith’s Story Stands Out

Edward Abel Smith’s life is a study in choosing your own path. Born into a famous family and married to a Hollywood star, he could easily have chased the spotlight. Instead, he changed his name simply to please himself, walked away from a high-profile career, and devoted himself to his family.

From Ned Rocknroll to a stay-at-home father in the English countryside, his journey shows a man determined to live on his own terms. It is a quiet story, but in its own way a memorable one, of someone who has consistently valued authenticity and family over fame and fortune.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Edward Abel Smith?

Edward Abel Smith is a British businessman, the husband of actress Kate Winslet, and the nephew of Sir Richard Branson. He was once legally known as Ned Rocknroll.

Why did Edward Abel Smith change his name to Ned Rocknroll?

He changed his surname to Rocknroll in 2008 as a playful, free-spirited gesture, then changed it back to Edward Abel Smith in 2019.

When did Edward Abel Smith and Kate Winslet marry?

They married in December 2012, in a very private ceremony in New York.

Do Edward Abel Smith and Kate Winslet have children?

They have one son together, Bear Blaze Winslet, born in 2013. Edward is also stepfather to Kate’s two older children.

What does Edward Abel Smith do?

He formerly worked at Virgin Galactic, his uncle’s spaceflight company. He is now a full-time, stay-at-home father.