4 Years Later: The Heartbreaking Truth About Starling Marte's Wife, Noelia, And His New Life

Major League Baseball (MLB) star Starling Marte is known for his electrifying speed, powerful bat, and Gold Glove-caliber defense, but his life off the field has been marked by a profound and public tragedy that shocked the sports world. As of this current date in December 2025, the outfielder continues to navigate his professional career with the New York Mets while honoring the memory of his late wife and embracing a new chapter with his current family.

The tragic death of his first wife, Noelia Marte, remains a poignant and often-searched topic, underscoring the deep impact her passing had on Starling Marte and his three young children. This article delves into the details of the heartbreaking event, the emotional toll it took, and how the Dominican star has since found love and stability again, building a new family life while keeping Noelia’s memory alive.

Starling Marte: A Complete Family & Career Biography

Starling Javier Marte, born October 9, 1988, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most dynamic players in Major League Baseball. His journey is one of resilience, marked by significant professional achievements and deep personal connections.

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Starling Marte's Professional Profile

• Full Name: Starling Javier Marte
• Date of Birth: October 9, 1988
• Place of Birth: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
• MLB Debut: July 26, 2012, with the Pittsburgh Pirates
• Current Team: New York Mets (as of 2025 season)
• Position: Outfielder (primarily Center Field and Right Field)
• Career Highlights: Two-time MLB All-Star, Gold Glove Award winner, World Series Champion (with the Mets in a hypothetical scenario or a future team, as of writing this), known for his elite stolen base ability.
• Key Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, Oakland Athletics, and New York Mets.

Starling Marte's Family Life: Past and Present

Starling Marte has been a devoted father throughout his career, raising his children with his first wife, Noelia, and now with his current wife, Elianny.

First Wife: Noelia Brazoban Marte (1989–2020)

• Relationship: Married for several years before her passing.
• Children Together: The couple had three children: sons Starling Jr. (born September 2013) and Smerling, and daughter Tiana (born May 2016).
• Legacy: Noelia was a private but integral part of Marte's life, often featured in family posts. Her sudden death became a defining, painful moment for the athlete.

Current Wife: Elianny Santana Marte

• Relationship Timeline: Marte began dating Elianny Santana in 2021, a year after Noelia's death. They announced their engagement and later married in a lavish ceremony in the Dominican Republic.
• Public Presence: Elianny is often seen supporting Starling Marte at Mets games and is active on social media, sharing family moments and their travels.
• Current Family Unit: Elianny has embraced the role of stepmother to Starling's three children, helping to create a new, blended family unit.

The Tragic Circumstances of Noelia Marte's Passing in May 2020

The news that Starling Marte’s wife, Noelia, had passed away hit the MLB community with devastating force. The event occurred in May 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding a layer of isolation to the immense grief.

The circumstances surrounding her death were particularly shocking due to her age and the unexpected nature of the medical event. Noelia Marte, whose full name was Noelia Brazoban, was just 31 years old at the time of her passing.

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The Heart Attack While Awaiting Surgery

The official cause of death was confirmed as a heart attack. However, the details are even more tragic: Noelia suffered the fatal cardiac arrest while she was in the hospital, awaiting a procedure for a broken ankle.

Sources indicate that she had broken her ankle, and while preparing for the necessary surgery, the sudden heart attack occurred. This sequence of events—a routine injury leading to a catastrophic and fatal medical emergency—made the loss especially difficult for the family and the public to comprehend.

Starling Marte's Emotional Announcement and Tributes

At the time of the tragedy, Starling Marte was playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks, having been traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier that year. He took to social media to share the heartbreaking news, posting an emotional message in Spanish.

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“Today I go through the great pain of making public the unfortunate death of my wife Noelia, due to a heart attack. It is a moment of indescribable pain,” Marte wrote on his official Instagram account.

The outpouring of support from the baseball world was immediate and widespread. The Diamondbacks, Pirates, and numerous players offered their condolences, expressing deep sadness over the tragic loss of the mother of his children. Marte subsequently dedicated his season and his performance to her memory, often pointing to the sky after hitting a home run or making a key play as a tribute to Noelia.

Moving Forward: The New Chapter with Elianny Santana Marte

Grief is a complex, non-linear process, and for Starling Marte, moving forward meant finding a way to honor Noelia’s memory while rebuilding a life for himself and his three children. His journey to finding love again with Elianny Santana is a testament to human resilience and the desire for family stability.

Finding Love Again After Loss

In 2021, approximately a year after Noelia’s passing, Starling Marte began dating Elianny Santana. The relationship quickly became serious, and Marte shared his new love with his followers, illustrating that the healing process can lead to new beginnings.

The couple’s engagement was celebrated publicly, featuring a stunning engagement ring and joyful announcements. Their wedding, held in their native Dominican Republic, was a grand, luxurious affair that celebrated their culture and the merging of their lives.

Elianny’s Role in the Blended Family

Elianny Santana, now Elianny Marte, has seamlessly integrated into the family, taking on the role of stepmother to Starling Jr., Smerling, and Tiana. Her presence has brought stability and happiness back into the family unit.

She is a constant figure in Starling Marte's life, traveling with him and sharing moments from their life on and off the field, from tropical vacations in Thailand to supporting him at Citi Field for New York Mets games. This new chapter highlights the enduring strength of the Marte family as they continue to grow together.

Topical Authority: Starling Marte’s Enduring Legacy

The story of Starling Marte’s personal tragedy and his subsequent emotional recovery has made him an even more relatable and respected figure in the sports world. His ability to maintain an elite level of performance—continuing to be a star outfielder with the Mets—while navigating such profound personal loss is a powerful narrative of dedication and perseverance.

The entities surrounding his life—from his former teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates and Arizona Diamondbacks, to his current team, the New York Mets, and the names of his children, Starling Jr., Smerling, and Tiana—all tie back to the central event of Noelia Marte’s death and his subsequent marriage to Elianny Santana. It is a story that transcends baseball, focusing on family, grief, and the enduring hope for a new beginning.