Introduction
Mike Holmes, the Canadian builder and TV personality, has become a household name through shows like Holmes on Homes and Holmes Family Rescue. Known for his dedication to quality workmanship and his motto “Make It Right,” Holmes has inspired countless viewers around the world. Yet behind his fame lies a more personal story: his first marriage to Alexandra Lorex. Their relationship began in youthful love, grew into a family, and eventually ended under the pressures of life’s challenges. This article explores that chapter—how it started, why it ended, and the legacy it left behind.
1. Young Love and Marriage
Mike Holmes married his childhood sweetheart, Alexandra Lorex, in 1982 when he was just 19 years old. At that time, Mike was already learning the construction trade, working with his father, and gaining hands-on experience that would shape his future career. Their marriage represented youthful optimism and the dream of building a life together, both literally and figuratively.
2. Starting a Family
Not long after tying the knot, Mike and Alexandra became parents. Their first daughter, Amanda, was born in 1984. Over the next few years, the couple expanded their family with two more children: Sherry and Michael Jr. By his mid-twenties, Mike was a young father of three, balancing the demands of work and family life. Their household was lively, filled with the joys and challenges of raising children.
3. Hardships in the 1990s
The early 1990s proved to be a difficult time for Holmes and his family. Canada faced a recession, which hit the construction industry particularly hard. Mike’s business, which he had worked hard to build, began to struggle financially. At the same time, he endured personal losses, including the deaths of both his parents. These overlapping hardships created immense pressure on him and on his marriage.
The financial struggles, emotional toll, and overwhelming responsibilities eventually strained Mike and Alexandra’s relationship. Despite their best efforts, the marriage could not withstand the difficulties, and they ultimately divorced.
4. Co-Parenting After Divorce
Although their marriage ended, Mike and Alexandra remained committed to raising their three children. They worked together to ensure that Amanda, Sherry, and Michael Jr. grew up with love and support from both parents.
Today, the Holmes children have each taken their own paths, but construction and television remain central in the family:
- Amanda has lived a quieter, more private life, occasionally helping behind the scenes.
- Sherry Holmes became deeply involved in construction and often appears on her father’s TV projects, continuing the family legacy.
- Michael Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps as well, working in the building trade and co-starring in Holmes’s shows.
This co-parenting journey highlights how, even though the marriage ended, the family bond endured.
5. Alexandra Lorex’s Quiet Life
Unlike Mike, who embraced the public spotlight, Alexandra Lorex chose to live privately after the divorce. She has rarely appeared in media and keeps her personal life away from public attention. While much of her story after separating from Holmes remains unknown, it’s clear she played a vital role in the early part of his life, helping raise their children and supporting him during his formative years as a contractor.
6. Mike Holmes’s Career After Divorce
After facing bankruptcy and personal loss, Holmes slowly rebuilt his career. His craftsmanship and integrity eventually caught the attention of television producers, leading to the launch of Holmes on Homes in 2001. The show’s popularity made him a trusted name in home renovation and repair.
While Alexandra stepped away from public life, Mike’s career soared, allowing him to advocate for better building standards, mentor apprentices, and establish the Holmes Foundation, which provides scholarships to young people entering skilled trades.
7. Lessons From Their Story
The story of Mike Holmes and his first wife, Alexandra Lorex, offers several lessons:
- Young love can build strong foundations, but external pressures can test even the deepest bonds.
- Hardship does not erase legacy—their children embody the resilience and skills passed down through both parents.
- Privacy has value—while Mike embraced fame, Alexandra chose a quieter life, showing that not all meaningful contributions happen in the spotlight.
8. Family Legacy
Perhaps the most lasting impact of Mike and Alexandra’s relationship is their family. Sherry and Michael Jr. often work alongside their father, symbolizing not just professional success but the continuation of family tradition. Their teamwork on television demonstrates that, despite past hardships, the Holmes family has remained close-knit and resilient.
Amanda’s quieter life also reflects another side of legacy: that individuals can choose their own path while still being an important part of family history.
Conclusion
The marriage of Mike Holmes and his first wife, Alexandra Lorex, was filled with youthful optimism, early parenthood, financial challenges, and eventual separation. While it ended in divorce, the story is not one of failure but of resilience. Together, they raised three children who continue to honor their family’s values in their own ways.
Though Alexandra has chosen a private life, her role in Mike Holmes’s journey is undeniable. Without that early chapter of love, partnership, and parenthood, the story of Mike Holmes—the builder, father, and television personality—would be incomplete.
