The Man Behind The Memoir: What Happened To Stephanie Land's Ex-Husband 'Matt' And Where Is He Now?

The story of Stephanie Land’s journey from a single mother working as a maid to a best-selling author and activist captivated millions through her memoir, *Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive*, and the subsequent blockbuster Netflix series. As of late 2025, the intense public interest continues to focus on the man at the center of her initial struggle: her volatile ex-partner, known only as "Jamie" in the show and "Matt" in the memoir. This deep dive explores the confirmed identity of her ex-husband, the nature of their tumultuous relationship that led to her poverty, and the current, vastly different life Stephanie Land now leads, including her marriage to Tim Faust and the release of her second memoir, *Class*. The powerful narrative of *Maid* is fundamentally rooted in the moment Land left her abusive partner, Matt, and was forced into the cycle of poverty and government assistance. The public’s curiosity about the man whose actions set the entire story in motion remains high, particularly since the Netflix adaptation brought the emotional and financial trauma to a global audience. While Stephanie Land has moved forward, her ex-husband's identity and current whereabouts have become a subject of intense speculation, symbolizing the hidden figures in stories of survival and domestic abuse.

A Full Biography of Stephanie Land and The Man Known as 'Matt'

The contrast between Stephanie Land's public success and the private, difficult past she shared with her ex-partner, Matt, is stark. She has become an influential voice for social and economic justice, while he remains a largely private, controversial figure.

Stephanie Land: Author, Activist, and Mother

• Full Name: Stephanie Land
• Born: September 1978 (Currently 47 years old as of late 2025)
• Place of Birth: Alaska (Spent childhood in Washington and Montana)
• Education: Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Creative Writing from the University of Montana.
• Memoirs: *Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive* (2019) and *Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education* (2023).
• Current Family: Married to Tim Faust (since 2019), with a blended family of four children, living in Missoula, Montana.
• Eldest Daughter: Mia (now goes by Story, and uses they/them pronouns), born from her relationship with Matt.

'Matt': The Ex-Partner and Father of Mia/Story

• Confirmed Name: Matt Boland (The name appears in some public records and reports related to the events described in the memoir).
• Relationship to Land: Ex-partner and father of her eldest daughter, Mia/Story. They were never formally married, though he is often referred to as her "ex-husband" or "ex-boyfriend."
• Relationship Status: Described in the memoir as emotionally and physically abusive, culminating in an act of non-deadly strangulation.
• Character in *Maid* (Netflix): Portrayed as the character "Sean" (played by Nick Robinson), though the memoir refers to him as "Matt."
• Current Status: Largely unknown. He is a private citizen and has made no public statements regarding the memoir or the Netflix series.

The Abusive Relationship and the Catalyst for 'Maid'

The relationship between Stephanie Land and Matt was the central catalyst that launched her into the desperate poverty documented in *Maid*. Land became pregnant with her daughter, Mia, at age 28, and the couple initially moved into a camper trailer, a situation that quickly deteriorated. The memoir details a relationship marked by escalating emotional and physical abuse, fueled by Matt’s resentment and struggles with substance abuse. Land describes the environment as one of constant emotional manipulation and control, which is often a hallmark of domestic violence. The narrative climaxes with a shocking moment of physical violence—an act of strangulation—that solidified Land’s decision to leave. Leaving Matt was not a path to immediate freedom, but rather a direct plunge into the bureaucratic nightmare of poverty. Land and her daughter, Mia, initially moved into a homeless shelter, a fact she poignantly shares in her writing: "My daughter learned to walk in a homeless shelter." This single decision—to prioritize her safety and her daughter’s well-being over financial stability—is what formed the basis of her life-changing memoir. The public nature of the memoir and the Netflix series created significant tension. It was reported that Matt, or his legal representation, attempted to prevent Land from writing about him. This highlights the complex ethical and legal challenges faced by survivors who choose to share their stories of abuse with the world. Land’s commitment to telling her truth, despite the potential backlash, underscores her dedication to activism and social justice.

Stephanie Land’s New Life: Marriage, Motherhood, and 'Class'

Today, Stephanie Land's life is a testament to resilience and the power of hard work, a stark contrast to the struggles she faced with Matt. Her journey out of poverty culminated not just in literary success but also in finding a stable, supportive family life.

A New Chapter with Tim Faust

In 2019, Stephanie Land married Tim Faust, a veteran who is also an advocate and author. Faust is eligible for disability payments through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which, combined with Land's writing income, provided a level of financial security she had never known. They live in Missoula, Montana, with their blended family, which includes Land's two daughters and Faust's children, totaling four children in their household. Land frequently shares glimpses of her current, more secure life on social media, often documenting her family life and her work as an author. This public sharing serves as a beacon of hope for others struggling with poverty and domestic abuse, proving that a path to stability is possible.

The Sequel to *Maid*: The Story of *Class*

Land's second memoir, *Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education*, released in late 2023, is the prequel and sequel to *Maid*. While *Maid* focused on her life as a housekeeper, *Class* delves deeper into her earlier life and the immense struggle of pursuing a college degree while navigating single motherhood and extreme poverty. *Class* details the extraordinary effort Land put into finishing her education at the University of Montana, often having to choose between food and tuition. This memoir further solidifies her authority on the systemic issues of poverty, the broken welfare system, and the challenges of being a working mother in America. The success of her writing has allowed Land to fully transition from a maid to a full-time author and public speaker, focusing her activism on economic justice, social safety nets, and the critical need for affordable higher education. Her work continues to shine a light on the "invisible" workers and the systemic failures that keep people trapped in cycles of poverty.

The Enduring Mystery of 'Matt Boland'

The man known as Matt Boland has successfully maintained his privacy since the publication of *Maid* and the release of the Netflix series. Unlike Land, who chose to make her life public for the sake of advocacy, Matt remains a private citizen, and there are no confirmed, recent reports on his current life or whereabouts. This lack of information is, in itself, a powerful part of the story. It underscores the fact that while Land’s life was irrevocably changed and made public by her struggle, the man who caused the trauma has largely disappeared from the public eye. For many survivors of domestic violence, the abuser fades into the background while the survivor is left to rebuild their life, often under the scrutiny of the public if their story becomes famous. Ultimately, the focus of the *Maid* narrative has shifted away from the man who caused the pain and toward the woman who survived it. Stephanie Land's story is one of triumph over adversity, a powerful testament that a difficult past does not define a person's future. Her work ensures that the struggles of millions of low-wage workers and single mothers are no longer invisible.