Ina met Jeffrey Garten at 15, when he was a Dartmouth student and her brother’s friend. They married in December 1968, beginning a partnership that would weather military separations and dramatic career changes. She worked on nuclear energy policy in Washington before buying the Barefoot Contessa specialty food store in 1978. Jeffrey encouraged her new direction while building his own distinguished career in finance, government, and academia, eventually becoming dean of the Yale School of Management.

Their enduring appeal, however, lives in smaller moments: affectionate teasing, shared meals, and Jeffrey’s enthusiasm for Ina’s roast chicken. They chose not to have children, and Ina has described their relationship as central to her life. Her memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens, offered readers a closer look behind the familiar television warmth. Approaching their 58th anniversary, their bond remains a reminder that lasting devotion is nurtured through kindness, encouragement, and everyday appreciation.