Deborah Shiling lived without electricity in a Vermont sugar shack after marrying Bernie Sanders on September 6, 1964. Their home, situated on 85 acres of land, had water but lacked basic amenities most people consider essential. This simple lifestyle marked the early years of Sanders’ first marriage, a chapter in his life that remains largely unknown to the public.
Born in 1944, Deborah Shiling is now in her early 80s. As Bernie Sanders’ college sweetheart and first wife, she shared formative years with the future senator, including a honeymoon trip to Israel. So far, limited information exists about her current whereabouts. This article explores who Deborah Shiling is, her marriage to Bernie Sanders, and what became of her after their relationship ended.
Who Is Deborah Shiling and Her Early Life
Dr. Moses Shiling, a respected doctor, raised Deborah Shiling in a well-educated family environment. Details about her mother, siblings, or childhood remain scarce, reflecting her lifelong preference for privacy. This tendency toward a quiet existence predated her connection to Bernie Sanders.
Deborah Shiling pursued Political Science at the University of Chicago, a decision that revealed her interest in society, government, and social change. The university brought together students who shared similar intellectual pursuits and political concerns. At this institution, she met Bernie Sanders, another student engaged with ideas about transforming society.
Her commitment to social justice extended beyond classroom discussions. As a student civil rights activist, Deborah Shiling Messing joined the Congress of Race Equality in 1960. She participated in sit-ins at segregated restaurants in Baltimore, demonstrating her willingness to take action for causes she believed in.
The connection between young Deborah Shiling and Bernie Sanders grew from shared values and long conversations about the world around them. Their relationship developed naturally through common interests in political activism and social reform. Two students who spent hours discussing ideas and understanding each other’s perspectives eventually became more than friends, setting the stage for their future marriage.
Deborah Shiling and Bernie Sanders Marriage
The wedding ceremony took place in the garden of her parents’ home in Baltimore, where Deborah Shiling married Bernie Sanders. Her father, Dr. Moses Shiling, served as chief of pulmonary diseases at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore at the time. Three years younger than Sanders, she entered this marriage at age 20.
Following their wedding, the couple purchased property in Middlesex, a small hamlet outside Montpelier, Vermont. They paid $2,500 for 85 acres of land. The structure they called home was a former maple sugar shack with a dirt floor. Running water existed on the property, though Deborah later mentioned there was “too much” of it. Electricity remained absent from their dwelling.
This unconventional lifestyle continued for approximately 18 months. The marriage ended in 1966, lasting less than two years. No children resulted from their union. Reports clarifying this fact corrected earlier assumptions that Levi Sanders, Bernie’s son born in 1969, came from this first marriage.
The separation proceeded without public conflict or scandal. Deborah Shiling Messing, who remarried in 1967, maintained a supportive stance toward her former husband. She expressed her belief in Bernie Sanders and identified as a strong supporter.
Deborah Shiling Life After Bernie Sanders
Remarriage brought stability to Deborah Shiling Messing’s life. She married Bob Messing, whom she described as “a poet slash logger slash philosopher”. Their relationship has endured for decades, built on mutual understanding and shared values. They settled in a house on a steep hill less than a mile from the gold-domed statehouse in Montpelier.
Professional life anchored her daily routine. Deborah Shiling worked as a buyer at Hunger Mountain Coop for 20 years. This 20,000 square foot community-owned natural foods cooperative in Vermont’s capital provided her with meaningful work focused on healthy and local products. Her dedication to this role demonstrated commitment to values she held since her activist days.
Financial independence came through her own efforts. Her estimated net worth stands around USD 500,000, based on her long work life. However, money never drove her decisions. She chose simplicity over accumulation, privacy over attention.
As of 2026, Deborah Shiling remains in Vermont, believed to be living near Montpelier. She avoids social media, news coverage, and public events. Her stance toward Bernie Sanders remains unchanged. She told reporters she believes in him and identifies as a strong supporter. This quiet existence reflects choices made consistently throughout her life.
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Conclusion
Deborah Shiling’s story reveals a woman who chose meaningful work and privacy over public attention. Her early activism and brief marriage to Bernie Sanders shaped her values, yet she built an independent life centered on community service at Hunger Mountain Coop. Notably, she maintains her support for her former husband while avoiding the spotlight entirely. Her quiet existence in Vermont reflects consistent choices made throughout eight decades, demonstrating that personal contentment requires neither fame nor recognition.
FAQs
Q1. Who is Deborah Shiling?Â
Deborah Shiling is Bernie Sanders’ first wife, born in 1944 to Dr. Moses Shiling, a respected doctor. She studied Political Science at the University of Chicago and was an active civil rights activist in the 1960s, participating in sit-ins at segregated restaurants in Baltimore as a member of the Congress of Race Equality.
Q2. How long were Deborah Shiling and Bernie Sanders married?Â
Deborah Shiling and Bernie Sanders were married on September 6, 1964, in a garden ceremony at her parents’ home in Baltimore. Their marriage lasted less than two years, ending in 1966. They did not have any children together during their brief union.
Q3. What was life like for Deborah Shiling during her marriage to Bernie Sanders?Â
After their wedding, Deborah and Bernie lived in a former maple sugar shack on 85 acres of land in Middlesex, Vermont, which they purchased for $2,500. The structure had a dirt floor, running water, but no electricity. They lived in these unconventional conditions for approximately 18 months.
Q4. What did Deborah Shiling do after divorcing Bernie Sanders?Â
After her divorce, Deborah remarried in 1967 to Bob Messing, described as “a poet slash logger slash philosopher.” She worked as a buyer at Hunger Mountain Coop, a community-owned natural foods cooperative in Vermont, for 20 years. She built an independent life focused on community service and maintained her privacy.
Q5. Where is Deborah Shiling now?Â
As of 2026, Deborah Shiling is in her early 80s and lives near Montpelier, Vermont, in a house on a steep hill less than a mile from the statehouse. She maintains a private life, avoiding social media and public attention, while remaining a strong supporter of Bernie Sanders.