Who is Melissa Etheridge’s wife? All about Linda Wallem

Melissa Etheridge and her wife Linda Wallem were best friends for 10 years before they started dating.

In 2010, Wallem moved in with Etheridge’s family after the singer split from her partner Tammy Lynn Michaels. What began as a built-in support system for Etheridge and their four children – Bailey, Beckett, Johnnie and Miller – blossomed into a romance and eventual marriage in 2014.

“Even though we’ve been friends all these years, she still grabs me in the kitchen and we slow dance to whatever’s playing,” Etheridge told PEOPLE in 2015. “And if there’s no music playing, she sings in my ear and I feel like the luckiest girl ever.”

In May 2024, the couple celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary.

“(Linda and I) are so supportive of each other. It’s the best relationship I’ve had in my entire life,” the “Come to My Window” singer told PEOPLE.

So, who is Melissa Etheridge’s wife? Here’s everything you need to know about Linda Wallem and her relationship with the legendary musician.

She is showrunner and executive producer

Etheridge’s wife has built a career in Hollywood. She played the lead role in the romantic comedy Sleepless in Seattle and had a recurring role in the television series Cybil. She is also the producer of mega-popular shows like That 70’s Show, Whitney And Nurse Jackie.

The Emmy-nominated producer also has a famous brother, actor Stephen Wallem, who played the role of Thor in her series. Nurse Jackie.

“We are very close,” Stephen told the advocate their family ties. “And we were both lucky enough to come out to a family that supported us the most.”

Etheridge and Wallem first met in the early 2000s

After the great success of That 70’s ShowWallem led production on a new iteration of the series called The wild 80s. During casting, Wallem chose Etheridge for the role of a record store owner.

“I thought someone like Melissa would bring lightness and legitimacy to the role. I couldn’t believe she had never been on television before,” Wallem explained in a 2020 Q&A with diversity.

And although the role didn’t work out, the two remained close friends after Etheridge’s audition. “We had never met before, so she called me,” Etheridge added. “I couldn’t play the part. It didn’t work out, but we remained best friends for 10 years.”

You have the same birthday

Not forgetting her wife’s birthday is no problem for the legendary guitarist, who was also born on May 29, 1961.

“I can tell you, it helps. It helps a lot,” Etheridge joked to PEOPLE while promoting her docuseries. Melissa Etheridge: I’m not broken“We’re twins, so we just think we’re the coolest. We just have a lot of fun.”

Etheridge invited Wallem to move into her family home during her divorce

After her split from Michaels in 2010, Etheridge invited Wallem to move into her family home. At the time, they were just friends, but Wallem’s willingness to help Etheridge and her children was a source of comfort for the singer-songwriter.

With busy children’s schedules and weekday dinners, the two felt like they had naturally grown into the role of a married couple.

“I had so much fun with her as a person. We were able to slowly ease into it, and it was so perfect,” Etheridge told PEOPLE in 2024. “Life isn’t just about second chances – life is always about chances. There’s no ‘Well, that’s just how it is.’ We can always make a different choice.”

They got married in 2014

Etheridge and Wallem said “I do” just two days after her 53rd birthday, on May 31, 2014. They held an intimate outdoor ceremony at the San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, California, surrounded by the Santa Ynez Mountain Range.

All four of Etheridge’s children were in attendance, as were A-list celebrities Jane Lynch, Chelsea Handler, Whitney Cummings and Sia.

“The setting was perfect. This was something Melissa and Linda always wanted. It was as perfect as they imagined it,” a guest told PEOPLE at the time. “They were so happy. It was really beautiful.”

As for her vows, Etheridge sang a new love song that she wrote specifically for the wedding. “She sang her vows to me, which is pretty hard to follow,” Wallem said diversity“It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life.”

Etheridge attributes the success of their relationship to their long-standing friendship

“She was my best friend for nine years, so it’s an interesting relationship. I’ve never been friends with someone for so long and then entered into a romantic relationship,” said the musician revue in 2011. “Usually you enter into a romantic relationship and hope you can stay friends.”

But Etheridge prefers their friendship to be more like a romance. “This way, she already knows everything. She’s my friend and that’s really quite amazing. I’m happier than I’ve ever been,” she explained.

They worked together on a Broadway show

The pair joined forces to create Etheridge’s autobiographical Broadway show, Melissa Etheridge: My Windowwhich premiered at the Circle in the Square Theatre in 2023. The emotional musical was co-written by Wallem and featured some of Etheridge’s classic hits.

“It’s so great to have a sounding board that I really, really trust… I mean, she’s a master,” Etheridge told PEOPLE about working with Wallem.