Early Years and Formative Influences
I often think of Erin Solaro’s beginnings as a seed planted in the fertile soil of Midwestern resilience. Born on October 11, 1966, in Bloomington, Indiana, she navigated a childhood laced with challenges that sharpened her edge like a blade on a whetstone. Growing up in a university town, surrounded by the hum of intellectual pursuits, Erin shared simple joys with her siblings: a brother and a sister who rode on her back during playful “horsey rides.” Their parents enforced structure, locking the kids out on Saturdays for a slice of quiet. These early dynamics built bonds that endured, though details remain veiled in privacy.
By age 13, Erin took her first job at local stables, hauling hay and building the physical strength that would later define her military path. Her family life, modest yet formative, instilled a sense of duty. I picture her as a young girl, absorbing the world’s complexities, from family routines to broader cultural curiosities. This foundation propelled her toward higher education: a Bachelor of Arts in History from Indiana University, where she joined ROTC, and a Master of Arts in Military Science and Diplomacy from Norwich University. These steps marked the dawn of her multifaceted journey.
Military Service and Career Pivots
Erin’s foray into the military unfolded like a tightly coiled spring releasing its energy. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1986 through ROTC, she served in the U.S. Army Reserves until 1988, reaching First Lieutenant in military police and infantry units. Yet, this chapter darkened with two assaults by fellow soldiers, leading to her discharge. The experience, raw and unyielding, fueled her advocacy, transforming personal scars into public calls for change.
Post-service, Erin’s career branched out wildly. She embraced roles as a radical feminist, defense analyst, historian, professional dog trainer, and even an overeducated secretary in Washington, D.C. These “odd jobs,” as she once called them, honed her adaptability. In the early 2000s, convinced the Iraq War would reshape women’s roles in combat, she embedded with troops in Iraq in 2004 and Afghanistan later that year. Funded by grants and accrediting with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, despite scant journalism experience, she documented servicewomen’s realities.
Her breakthrough arrived in 2006 with the publication of Women in the Line of Fire: What You Should Know About Women in the Military. This book, a clarion call for gender equality in the armed forces, drew from her embeds and personal insights. It advocated for women’s full integration, earning praise for its common-sense approach. By 2019, she contributed an oral history to the Pritzker Military Museum, reflecting on her arc from childhood to military disillusionment. In 2023, as writer-in-residence there, she published a prologue to a novel exploring military themes. Launching a Substack in 2024, she returned to writing after personal hiatuses, sharing reflections on life abroad and losses.
Today, as a sales executive for medical devices, Erin earns an estimated $100,000 to $200,000 annually, a stable thread in her tapestry. Her achievements extend to charity: in 2025, she completed the Scenic Shore 150 bike ride, raising over $1,000. These milestones paint her as a relentless force, bridging advocacy and action.
Personal Relationships and Marriages
Exploring Erin’s private life is similar to removing layers from an onion, each of which reveals more profound relationships. That unknown brother and sister were part of her early family; they were anchors from her childhood in Indiana. Although they are not publicly known, bonds created during those locked-out Saturdays probably still exist.
Erin’s path wound romantically via important couplings. She once got married to a Jewish person, which led to her exploring different cultures by going to seders, learning about Jewish history, and becoming friends with Israelis. She reflected on the complexities of faith at this phase, as she described in a blog post from 2015. She later married a Marine officer, whom she had broken up with for the sake of the relationship. According to her 2024 Substack, tragedy struck with a “late husband,” whose passing in the early 2020s caused a writing stop.
On October 31, 2020, she married Jennifer N. Pritzker in a private wedding in Chicago, marking the start of her current chapter. Born James Nicholas Pritzker in 1950, Jennifer had a gender transformation and amassed a $2 billion fortune via business and philanthropy. Jennifer, a former Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, established the Pritzker Military Museum and TAWANI Enterprises. Erin became the stepparent of Jennifer’s three children from previous marriages as a result of this union, creating a blended family.
Tal, Jennifer’s daughter, was born in 1982 after her first marriage to Ayelet ben Mordechai ended in divorce in 1987. Her second marriage, to Lisa I. Goren, ended in divorce in 1997. They had two boys, Andrew in 1993 and William in 1996. Grandchildren deepen the generational divide, but details are kept confidential. Erin’s position now, entering this prominent network, combines Jennifer’s military and charitable heritage with her advocacy background. They manage common interests together, such as polar trips and charitable events.
Family Members: A Detailed Overview
To grasp the full mosaic, let’s chart Erin’s family ties. Her biological kin remain understated, but her extended network through marriage shines.
| Family Member | Relationship to Erin | Birth Year | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother | Sibling | Unknown | Shared childhood in Bloomington; part of early family dynamics with “horsey rides.” |
| Sister | Sibling | Unknown | Grew up together; locked-out Saturdays fostered independence. |
| Late Husband | Former Spouse | Unknown | Death contributed to Erin’s writing hiatus; influenced her return in 2024. |
| Jennifer N. Pritzker | Current Spouse | 1950 | Billionaire philanthropist; retired Lt. Col.; founded TAWANI and Pritzker Museum; transgender advocate. |
| Tal Pritzker | Stepchild | 1982 | From Jennifer’s first marriage; details private. |
| Andrew Pritzker | Stepchild | 1993 | From Jennifer’s second marriage; part of the blended family. |
| William Pritzker | Stepchild | 1996 | Youngest stepchild; integrates into Erin’s life post-2020. |
| Ayelet ben Mordechai | Spouse’s Ex | Unknown | Divorced Jennifer in 1987; mother of Tal. |
| Lisa I. Goren | Spouse’s Ex | Unknown | Divorced Jennifer in 1997; mother of Andrew and William. |
| Grandchildren (Unnamed) | Step-Grandchildren | Various | Add layers to the family; numbers and names undisclosed. |
This table captures the web of relations, numbering at least 10 key figures. Erin’s journey from solitary advocate to family integrator underscores her resilience.
Recent Activities and Public Presence
In recent years, Erin’s life pulses with quiet momentum. Her 2024 Substack debut signaled a rebirth, posting after time abroad and personal grief. The platform allows raw reflections, drawing from decades of experience.
Charity remains a beacon: the 2025 bike ride, spanning 150 miles, not only raised funds but spotlighted her endurance. Tied to TAWANI, it echoes Jennifer’s influence. Social media mentions are sparse, often in LGBTQ+ contexts post-marriage, or niche military discussions. No scandals shadow her; instead, indirect links to Pritzker philanthropy spark debates on transgender issues.
Erin’s sales role provides financial grounding, augmented by her marriage’s vast resources. Her story, interwoven with family, continues evolving, a testament to adaptation.
FAQ
Who is Erin Solaro’s current spouse?
Jennifer N. Pritzker, a 1950-born billionaire and retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, married Erin on October 31, 2020. Their union blends military backgrounds with philanthropy.
What are the names and birth years of Erin Solaro’s stepchildren?
Tal, born in 1982; Andrew, born in 1993; and William, born in 1996. They stem from Jennifer’s prior marriages.
How did Erin Solaro’s military experience shape her career?
Serving from 1986 to 1988, including assaults leading to discharge, ignited her advocacy. It led to embeds in 2004, her 2006 book, and ongoing writings on gender equality.
What recent achievements has Erin Solaro accomplished?
In 2023, she served as writer-in-residence; launched Substack in 2024; and completed a 150-mile charity bike ride in 2025, raising over $1,000.
Does Erin Solaro have biological children?
No records indicate biological children; her family expands through steprelations and siblings.
What was Erin Solaro’s education?
She earned a BA in History from Indiana University and an MA in Military Science and Diplomacy from Norwich University.
How has Erin Solaro’s family background influenced her?
From a challenging Indiana childhood with siblings, it built resilience, echoing in her advocacy and personal explorations.
