Who is Shannon Elizabeth’s husband Simon Borchert? All about 'American Pie' actress’ personal life as she explains Hollywood exit

Shannon Elizabeth and Simon Borchert        Source: Getty    Photo by Gregg DeGuire
Shannon Elizabeth and Simon Borchert (Image via Getty/Gregg DeGuire)

Shannon Elizabeth's spouse, Simon Borchert, is a conservation specialist from South Africa. He is a seasoned strategist in sustainability and, like Shannon, is passionate about wildlife protection. Both of them run the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation, which is a non-profit organization focused on animal conservation.

This shared goal has prompted Shannon to leave her career in Hollywood and move to South Africa full time, where the couple now dedicates their effort towards preserving endangered animals, such as rhinos.

Shannon Elizabeth was the center of attention as one of the best performers of teenage comedies in the early 2000s because her performance as Nadia in the American Pie series remains unforgettable to this day. In her prime, she remained the darling of Hollywood after performing in many acclaimed films such as Scary Movie, Love Actually, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.


The Hollywood Exit

HempHera Kosmetikos Pre-Emmy Luxury Lounge Presented By GBK Brand Bar - Day 2 (Image via Getty)
HempHera Kosmetikos Pre-Emmy Luxury Lounge Presented By GBK Brand Bar - Day 2 (Image via Getty)

Now, she gives her full attention to protecting wildlife, and in a recent interview, Shannon discussed her drastic shift of interest from entertainment to conservation.

"I'm just really grateful that I had that opportunity and could create some things that people seem to like," she explained to E News.

Elizabeth offered a provision of animal welfare potential in 2001 when she started her non-profit organization aimed at rescuing dogs and cats, which she dubbed Animal Avengers.

"I started my charity, which was called Animal Avengers at the time. It's been going since then, it's just morphed over the years into conservation and wildlife from dogs and cats," she told in an interview with People Magazine.

Her focus has shifted with time, and as of today, she manages the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation, which concentrates on the global Wildlife Conservation Movement with a special emphasis on endangered species such as Rhinos.


Enter Simon Borchert: The Man Beside the Mission

Closer to the heart of her work, the life-changing city of Cape Town in South Africa became her place of residence in 2016.

Shannon’s new journey brings us to her husband, Simon Borchert, a Cape Town local renowned for his commitment to Wildlife Education and Strategic Planning.

Mr. Simon Borchert has years of experience within Conservation and Sustainability, whom she (Shannon) met in the year 2015. Together, they embarked on a mission to revolutionize environmental welfare policy, and within two years, got married in 2021.

"We're building a sanctuary," she revealed to People Magazine. "We have a blind black rhino we've been taking care of, and we're going to bring in more rhinos as soon as we can do an expansion."

Like any other strategic-orthodox thinker around the globe, Simon possessed incredible skills in marketing-driven business expansion. After working at Africa Geographic in their Commercial Operations Department, he founded a sustainability firm called Change. His innovative works toward the ever-changing gap between business and nature are determinedly on the rise.

In 2019, Simon expanded his responsibilities as the Chief Executive Officer of the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation, which now includes everything from fundraising and strategic partnerships to marketing and production. Shannon and Simon together form a power couple with a shared goal: conserving and safeguarding the wildlife of the world.


More Than Just Conservation

Shannon Elizabeth and Simon Borchert (Image via Instagram/@conservationguy)
Shannon Elizabeth and Simon Borchert (Image via Instagram/@conservationguy)

The couple’s conservation work goes beyond advocacy. With the help of the Foundation, they’ve implemented training programs for aspiring conservationists, anti-poaching legislative campaign initiatives, and global awareness media projects.

Shannon often promotes lesser-known endangered species using her celebrity status, while Simon supplies the logistical backing and strategic blueprints necessary to make it happen.

Their work has become a lifestyle—one that’s based on a particular cause, love for humanity, and care for every living organism. The couple also follows a vegan diet and routinely advocates for the ethical and environmental advantages of plant-based diets.


Life in Cape Town

Shannon Elizabeth (Image via Instagram/@conservationguy)
Shannon Elizabeth (Image via Instagram/@conservationguy)

Getting to South Africa brings Shannon a sense of peace and fulfillment, which she claims she hasn’t experienced in Los Angeles. The couple splits their time between Cape Town and the bush, interfacing with field workers, policymakers, and young conservationists.

However, Shannon still goes back to the U.S. for some family time and select projects but insists that her heart is firmly in Africa now.


Legacy in the Making

Shannon Elizabeth and Simon Borchert (Image via Instagram/@conservationguy)
Shannon Elizabeth and Simon Borchert (Image via Instagram/@conservationguy)

Shannon Elizabeth’s evolution from a screen siren to an environmentally conscious activist is more than just a career change, but a change grounded in a specific intent. With Simon Borchert alongside her, she not only found love but also a purpose that could change the tide for generations to come.

In a society that considers celebrity status synonymous with self-aggrandizement, Shannon and Simon take the lead in rewriting the narrative by showing how fame can, when coupled with integrity, be used for positive impact.

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Edited by Anshika Jain