Who Is Anna Axster? The Forgotten Story of the Yellowstone Star’s First Wife
Anna Axster is an American filmmaker, entrepreneur, and devoted mother who quietly built a remarkable career in Hollywood. Most people only know her name because of her marriage to Ryan Bingham, the country singer and Yellowstone actor who plays Walker on the hit TV show. But Anna’s story goes far beyond that connection. She directed award-winning films, produced music videos, co-founded a record label, and now runs a whiskey brand that Forbes recognized as one of the most exciting in the industry. She raised three children, survived a public divorce, and came out stronger on the other side. This is the forgotten story of a woman who chose to let her work speak louder than her fame.
Detailed Bio Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anna Axster |
| Year of Birth | 1983 |
| Age (2026) | Around 43 years old |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Raised In | Germany |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | BA in Audio Visual Production (London Metropolitan University), MA in Filmmaking (London Film School) |
| Profession | Film Director, Producer, Writer, Entrepreneur |
| Notable Films | A Country Called Home (2015), Sweet Sting (2007), Souvenir (2006) |
| Music Videos Directed | Southside of Heaven, Bread and Water (for Ryan Bingham) |
| Ex-Husband | Ryan Bingham (married 2009, divorced 2021) |
| Children | Three (names kept private) |
| Business Ventures | Co-Founder of Lodestar Whiskey, Co-Owner of Axster Bingham Records, CEO of Axster Co. |
| Current Residence | Santa Monica, California |
| Recognition | Named by Forbes as one of “10 Women Changing the Whiskey Industry” |
| Estimated Net Worth | Around $15 million |
Early Life and Education
Anna Axster was born in 1983 in the United States and grew up in Germany as part of a big, close-knit family. She has kept most details about her parents and childhood private, but we know that creativity and storytelling were part of her life from a very young age. Her cousin Wendelin von Schroder, who later became her business partner, also grew up in the same family circle in Germany.
After growing up in Germany, Anna made a bold move and went to London to study film. She first earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Audio Visual Production from London Metropolitan University. She then completed a Master of Arts in Filmmaking from the prestigious London Film School between 2002 and 2004. These programs gave her strong skills in directing, writing, and producing. Her time in London became the foundation for everything she built later in her career.
Career as a Filmmaker
Anna Axster started small and worked her way up in the film world. Her first project was a short film called Souvenir in 2006, which she wrote and directed. The next year, she made Sweet Sting (2007), a short crime film that showed her growing talent. She also started directing music videos for Ryan Bingham during this period, including Southside of Heaven and Bread and Water, which gained attention in the country music world.
Her biggest achievement as a filmmaker came in 2015 with A Country Called Home. Anna wrote, directed, and produced this feature film, which starred Imogen Poots, Mackenzie Davis, June Squibb, and Ryan Bingham. The movie received positive reviews and was screened at the Los Angeles Film Festival. She also served as executive producer of Ryan Bingham Live, a concert film recorded at Whitewater Amphitheatre in Texas in 2016. Through these projects, Anna proved that she was a serious filmmaker with her own voice and vision.
How Anna Axster Met Ryan Bingham
The love story between Anna and Ryan began around 2006, and it started with music. Anna got hold of one of Ryan’s demo CDs while she was working on a film project. She heard a song that caught her attention and wanted to use it in her work. She reached out to Ryan, and that first meeting changed both of their lives forever.
What started as a professional connection quickly grew into a deep personal relationship. They began working together on music videos and creative projects, and they fell in love along the way. Anna later became involved in every part of Ryan’s career, from directing his music videos to designing his album art and handling his photography. After a few years of dating, they made it official and got married in 2009.
Marriage and Family Life
Anna and Ryan shared 12 years of marriage and built a beautiful life together. They settled in Los Angeles and later bought a home in Topanga Canyon, California. During their marriage, they welcomed three children. The kids’ names remain private, but all three carry Axster as their middle name, which shows how important Anna’s identity was within the family.
The couple also built a strong business partnership. They co-founded Axster Bingham Records, a record label through which Ryan released several albums, including Tomorrowland (2012) and Fear and Saturday Night (2015). Ryan often praised Anna publicly. In an interview, he called her his “biggest supporter” and said there was “no one who looks out for my best interest more than she does.” They were partners in love, business, and creativity for over a decade.
The Divorce
On June 29, 2021, Ryan Bingham filed for divorce, and the news shocked their fans completely. Nobody saw public signs of trouble in their marriage, which made the split feel sudden and unexpected. Neither Anna nor Ryan has ever shared the reason for their divorce, and they have both chosen to keep those details private.
In September 2021, the couple sold their Topanga Canyon home for $2.45 million after buying it for $1.36 million in 2013. Around the same time, Ryan filed to legally change his name from Ryan Axster Bingham back to his birth name, George Ryan Bingham. He later began a relationship with Hassie Harrison, his Yellowstone co-star, and they secretly married on October 7, 2023, in a Western-themed wedding at Harrison’s family estate in Dallas. Ryan’s three children with Anna participated in the ceremony as the flower girl, ring bearer, and dog walker.
Life After Divorce: Lodestar Whiskey
After the divorce, Anna Axster did not disappear from public life. Instead, she channeled her energy into a brand new chapter. Together with her cousin Wendelin von Schroder, she co-founded Lodestar Whiskey in 2023. The brand was backed by Diageo’s Distill Ventures Pre-Accelerator Program, which gave it serious industry credibility from the start.
Lodestar Whiskey is a blend of Straight High Rye Bourbon and American Single Malt Whiskey. It is a women-owned and women-operated brand based in California. Anna and Wendelin created it because they felt the whiskey industry was too male-focused and wanted to invite everyone to enjoy the spirit. Forbes named them among “10 Women Changing the Whiskey Industry,” and the brand has been featured in publications like Flaunt Magazine, BevNET, and the Santa Barbara Independent. Anna told one interviewer that their goal is to “follow the flavor, not the rules.” The brand is now available across California and ships to most U.S. states.
Anna Axster’s Net Worth
Anna Axster has built her wealth through a career that spans filmmaking, music, talent management, and business. Her estimated net worth is around $15 million as of 2026. This comes from her work as a director and producer, her co-ownership of Axster Bingham Records, her role as CEO of Axster Co., and her growing whiskey brand Lodestar.
She is a financially independent woman who earned her success on her own terms. Her ability to move from one industry to another and succeed every time shows real talent and determination. Anna does not depend on her ex-husband’s fame or money. She is building her own legacy, one project at a time.
Conclusion
Anna Axster is much more than Ryan Bingham’s ex-wife. She is a trained filmmaker, a successful entrepreneur, and a strong mother of three. From directing films to launching an award-winning whiskey brand, she has always followed her own path. Her story reminds us that quiet strength, hard work, and creativity can take you further than fame ever will.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Anna Axster?
Anna Axster is an American filmmaker, director, producer, and entrepreneur. She directed the film A Country Called Home (2015) and co-founded Lodestar Whiskey. She is also known as the ex-wife of Ryan Bingham, the Yellowstone actor and country singer.
2. Why did Anna Axster and Ryan Bingham divorce?
The exact reason has never been shared publicly. Ryan Bingham filed for divorce in June 2021 after 12 years of marriage. Both Anna and Ryan have decided to keep the details private.
3. How many children does Anna Axster have?
Anna has three children with her ex-husband Ryan Bingham. Their names have not been made public, but all three carry Axster as their middle name.
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