Who was Mike Rinder married to? All about his wife and kids as former Scientology executive dies aged 69

Church of Scientology International and Sea Organization senior executive Mike Rinder unexpectedly passed away on January 5, 2025, at the age of 69. Apart from being active in Scientology, Rinder became a popular face for appearing in a documentary titled Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief and was the co-host of Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath.

Mike's wife Christie King Collbran revealed the news of his demise through an Instagram post on the same day. However, the cause of death was not disclosed.

Notably, Rinder was a father of four children: Shane, Jack, Taryn, and Benjamin. The children include a stepson alongside two kids born from the marriage to his first wife, Cathy.

Christie wrote on social media that Mike Rinder's courage, bravery, and integrity were an inspiration for everyone and he was always like a "pillar of stability."

Christie also added a long statement shared by Mike as per his wishes before his death. It reads:

"If you are reading this, I have shuffled off this mortal coil in accordance with the immutable law that there are only two certainties in life: death and taxes. My blog site will remain as an archive of more than 4000 posts and 300 thousand comments. It has been a labor of love and passion which has allowed me to speak my mind and offer my perspective with no outside filters."

It further reads:

"My only real regret is not having achieved what I said I wanted to — ending the abuses of Scientology, especially disconnection and seeing Jack into adulthood. If you are in any way fighting to end those abuses please keep the flag flying — never give up. And please, if you are able in some way, help Christie and the boys to move forward into the next chapter of their lives."

Furthermore, Mike requested everyone to send contributions to his son Jack's college fund by visiting a site and selecting the donation button.

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Christie King worked with Mike Rinder at the same place for many years

Also known as Michael John Rinder, he gained recognition as a member of the Church of Scientology for a long time until he was removed in 2009, as per Stand Magazine. He then came to other people who were similarly expelled from the Church and became the First Independent Scientology Minister the following year.

Apart from all these, Mike Rinder also had a big family where he raised four children. While his first wife Cathy's profession remains unknown, the duo's marriage was in the headlines when Mike reportedly abandoned Cathy and their children in 2007, as reported by Stand Magazine.

The pair's son Ben contracted cancer and a transcript by Ben on his father's self-titled official website says that Mike never contacted him when he was undergoing treatment for cancer. Ben also mentioned:

"He didn't offer to help pay the medical bills, he didn't maybe ensure that I was getting the best treatment that we could get. He did nothing. He was not involved at all. So I could have died. He wouldn't have even known."

According to Stand Magazine, Mike Rinder had allegedly attacked Cathy in 2010 when she came to visit him, leaving her with injured bones. The alleged incident was also witnessed by their daughter Taryn, and Cathy underwent surgery and physical therapy for several years.

Mike and Cathy were married for almost 30 years, and following their split in 2007, Rinder exchanged vows with Christie King Collbran around six years later in 2013.

Freedom Magazine stated that Christie's parents Ed and Liz were also active as scientologists and she became a part of the Sea Organization at the age of 13.

Before Mike Rinder, Christie was married to Chris Collbran, and the relationship was negatively impacted because of the former's job responsibilities. Christie was expecting her first child in 2006 and following her marriage to Mike, the duo continued living in Palm Harbor, Florida, with their children Shane and Jack.