How Everything Works

Stephen Hawking’s highly publicized 1995 marriage to his nurse, Elaine Mason, sparked significant controversy within his family and the scientific community. Prior to their relationship, Elaine was married to David Mason, the computer engineer who famously adapted the electronic voice synthesizer onto Hawking’s wheelchair. Hawking left his first wife of 25 years, Jane Wilde, in 1990 to move in with Elaine, a decision that his daughter Lucy and former wife publicly claimed isolated the renowned physicist from his children. 

Their 11-year marriage ultimately ended in divorce in 2006 following persistent allegations of physical abuse. Local police launched two separate criminal investigations into a series of unexplained injuries Hawking suffered—including a broken arm, a fractured wrist, and severe heatstroke after being left stranded in his garden. However, Hawking vehemently denied all abuse claims, labeling them “completely false,” and the investigations were officially dropped after he steadfastly refused to cooperate with authorities. 

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📸: Kalli Koning

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