First Marriage and Public Divorce

Patrick Carney married his first wife, Denise Grollmus, in 2007. The couple divorced two years later. Their separation attracted media attention, due in part to public comments made by Grollmus in personal essays and interviews. According to accounts shared by Denise, the relationship deteriorated during Carney’s touring schedule, with increased drinking and frequent conflicts contributing to the breakdown. She has alleged that Carney expressed his desire to end the marriage during a late-night phone call.

Denise has also claimed that Carney admitted to infidelity, stating that he had been involved in an extramarital affair even before their official separation began. Though specific individuals were not named, she suggested that repeated infidelity played a major role in their divorce. Patrick Carney, for his part, has chosen not to publicly address these claims in detail.

Marriage to Emily Ward

In 2011, during the Grammy Awards season, Carney reportedly proposed to his then-girlfriend, Emily Ward. The couple married in 2012, marking Carney's second marriage and Ward’s first. Although specifics such as how they met or the exact details of the proposal have not been publicly confirmed, it is commonly believed that Carney proposed following a celebratory dinner after the awards ceremony. However, without confirmation from the couple, such stories remain speculative.

Emily Ward has maintained a low public profile, choosing not to make media statements about her private life or her marriage to Carney. Likewise, Patrick has refrained from sharing personal anecdotes regarding his relationship with Emily, opting instead to keep his marital life out of the public eye.