All About Audra Mari: Model, Wife & Life Story
Who Is Audra Mari?
Audra Mari is a model, television host, and former beauty pageant winner from Fargo, North Dakota. She won Miss World America in 2016 after finishing first runner-up at both Miss Teen USA 2011 and Miss USA 2014. She is married to actor Josh Duhamel, and they have two children.
Mari’s story reaches beyond pageants. She has worked in modeling and hosting, used her platform to speak out against bullying, and stayed close to her North Dakota roots. This guide covers the career and family milestones that have shaped her life.
The Rise of Audra Mari: Early Life and Pageant Career
Born on January 8, 1994, in Fargo, North Dakota, Audra Diane Mari grew up immersed in the community-oriented culture of the Upper Midwest. She possesses a rich multicultural heritage; her maternal family has deep roots in North Dakota, while her paternal grandfather was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. Standing tall at 5 feet 10 inches (1.77 m), she brought a natural athletic presence to her early endeavors.
Long before stepping onto a pageant stage, Mari was an avid athlete. She grew up playing competitive AAA youth ice hockey, traveling across North Dakota, Minnesota, and Canada for tournaments, while also participating in soccer and volleyball. She attended Davies High School in Fargo, graduating in 2012, before enrolling at North Dakota State University (NDSU). At NDSU, she excelled as a Dean’s List student majoring in Public Relations and Communications, building skills in media and public engagement that later shaped her broadcasting work.
| Pageant Event | Title / Placement Earned | Special Awards / Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Miss North Dakota Teen USA 2011 | Winner | State representative for Miss Teen USA |
| Miss Teen USA 2011 | 1st Runner-Up | Highest placement for North Dakota in history |
| Miss North Dakota USA 2014 | Winner | State representative for Miss USA |
| Miss USA 2014 | 1st Runner-Up | Highest placement for North Dakota in history |
| Miss World America 2016 | Winner | Won Miss Top Model & Miss Interview |
| Miss World 2016 | Top 11 (6th Place Overall) | Named Miss World Americas 2016 |
Overcoming Bullying and Early Pageant Success
Mari’s entry into the pageant world was partly shaped by her experiences with adolescent bullying. During her sophomore year of high school, she faced intense peer bullying that shook her self-esteem. Looking for a constructive outlet to regain her confidence, she entered the Miss North Dakota Teen USA competition.
Her win at the state level led her to the national stage at Miss Teen USA 2011 at the Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas, where she placed as first runner-up. When asked an on-stage question about personal challenges, she spoke openly about her experiences with bullying. Her story gained national attention, leading to features in publications like Seventeen Magazine and appearances on television programs such as Dr. Phil. She became a national ambassador for the STOMP Out Bullying organization, turning personal adversity into an advocacy platform.
In 2014, she returned to the stage to capture the Miss North Dakota USA crown. At the national Miss USA 2014 pageant held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she repeated her historic achievement by finishing as first runner-up. Details from her competitive run can be seen in her Miss USA 2014 contestant profile.
Miss World America 2016 and Global Recognition
In 2016, Mari entered the Miss World America competition held at National Harbor in Maryland. She swept the preliminary categories, winning both the Miss Top Model and Miss Interview fast-track events before securing the national title.
Representing the United States at Miss World 2016 in Washington, D.C., she competed against delegates from over 100 countries. Mari advanced to the Top 11 finalists (placing 6th overall), making her the highest-ranking contestant from the Western Hemisphere and earning her the continental title of Miss World Americas 2016. Pageant analysts often highlighted her combination of poise and charitable engagement, as explored in profiles like Get to know Miss World America 2016 Audra Mari.
Career Beyond the Runway: Modeling and Media Hosting
Following her international pageant success, Mari transitioned into commercial modeling and television hosting. She relocated to Miami, Florida, signing with top agencies to appear in campaigns for global fashion brands such as H&M, Target, and Nordstrom, along with years of runway modeling for designer Sherri Hill.
Professional Ventures: Audra Mari in Modeling and Broadcasting
Her career soon expanded to Los Angeles, where she worked as a presenter for The Welcome Channel and appeared on national lifestyle programs such as Dish Nation and Entertainment Tonight.
When production opportunities slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mari returned to Fargo. During this time, she partnered with Click Content Studios to create and host Backroads with Audra Mari, an online video travel series highlighting independent craft breweries, family-owned restaurants, and artisan shops across the Upper Midwest. Her approach favored listening to local artisans over structured interviews, detailed in coverage of the Audra Mari local video project showcasing regional stops.
Philanthropy and Future Career Aspirations
Philanthropy has remained central to Mari’s career. As Miss World America, she traveled extensively to support Habitat for Humanity, helping build homes in underserved communities. She also partnered with the Starkey Hearing Foundation to deliver hearing aids to people with hearing loss and worked with the Miami-based Irie Foundation to support youth education.
Looking ahead, Mari has expressed an interest in sports broadcasting. From her background in competitive ice hockey, she has voiced an ambition to cover professional sports, aiming to bring insightful analysis to the NHL. Her career moves were highlighted when local news covered how Fargo’s Miss World America titleholder transitions across creative and broadcast fields.
Marriage, Family Life, and Overcoming Health Obstacles
Mari’s personal life is rooted in her connection to the Upper Midwest, a value she shares with her husband, actor Josh Duhamel. Duhamel, a native of Minot, North Dakota, shares her appreciation for the region’s culture and outdoor lifestyle.
Audra Mari and Josh Duhamel: A North Dakota Love Story
The couple met in 2018 at a casual backyard barbecue hosted by mutual friends. After dating for several years, Duhamel proposed on January 8, 2022—Mari’s 28th birthday—during a beach vacation, placing a handwritten proposal note inside a bottle that washed ashore.
On September 10, 2022, they married in their home state of North Dakota. The ceremony took place on the rooftop of the Jasper Hotel in downtown Fargo, followed by an impromptu stop at Duffy’s Tavern, where the newlyweds celebrated with friends and family. Photos and details of their celebration emerged in coverage of their wedding celebration in North Dakota. Today, the couple splits their time between Los Angeles and an off-grid cabin in the Minnesota woods.
Motherhood and Navigating Placenta Previa
Mari and Duhamel are parents to two children: a son, Shepherd Lawrence Duhamel (born January 11, 2024), and a daughter, Rocca de Leon Duhamel (born May 16, 2026).
During her second pregnancy with Rocca, Mari was diagnosed with placenta previa, a medical condition where the placenta covers the cervix, increasing the risk of maternal hemorrhage. The diagnosis required careful medical monitoring and a planned Cesarean section. After experiencing concerning symptoms that prompted an early hospital visit, she successfully delivered daughter Rocca via C-section, later sharing her experience to help demystify high-risk pregnancy complications for other expectant mothers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Audra Mari
What is the age gap between Audra Mari and Josh Duhamel?
There is a 21-year age difference between Audra Mari (born 1994) and Josh Duhamel (born 1972). Both have noted in interviews that their shared North Dakota values, Midwestern upbringings, and mutual lifestyle goals keep their relationship balanced and grounded.
How many children does Audra Mari have?
Audra Mari has two children with husband Josh Duhamel: son Shepherd Lawrence, born in January 2024, and daughter Rocca de Leon, born in May 2026. She is also a stepmother to Axl Jack, Duhamel’s son from his previous marriage to singer Fergie.
What titles did Audra Mari win in beauty pageants?
Mari won Miss North Dakota Teen USA 2011 (and placed first runner-up at Miss Teen USA 2011), Miss North Dakota USA 2014 (placing first runner-up at Miss USA 2014), and Miss World America 2016. She went on to finish sixth overall at Miss World 2016, earning the continental title of Miss World Americas 2016.
Conclusion
Audra Mari’s journey from Fargo ice rinks to national pageant stages and broadcast studios reflects a career built on versatility and steady focus. Whether advocating for youth, producing regional food-and-travel features, or navigating family life, she continues to pursue new creative projects while staying connected to her North Dakota roots.
At Hudson Valley Wine Magazine, we appreciate stories of individuals who honor their regional heritage while forging new paths. Much like artisans taking tradition forward at Angry Orchard Cider House right here in New York, Mari blends time-tested local roots with modern enterprise.
