Minoo Rahbar is the Iranian-American animal activist and cat rescue advocate married to Jackson Galaxy, host of Animal Planet’s hit series “My Cat From Hell.” While her celebrity husband has millions of followers, Minoo prefers working behind the scenes—rescuing stray cats, managing their shared business, and supporting animal welfare causes. Her remarkable journey from escaping war-torn Iran as a child to becoming a respected figure in Los Angeles’ cat rescue community deserves more attention than it typically receives.
Quick Reference: Minoo Rahbar Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Minoo Rahbar |
| Birthday | August 14 |
| Birthplace | Rural Iran |
| Nationality | American (Iranian descent) |
| Ethnicity | Persian |
| Education | University of California, Berkeley (Anthropology) |
| Profession | Cat Rescue Advocate, Former Puppeteer |
| Spouse | Jackson Galaxy (married June 29, 2014) |
| Height | 5’5″ (165 cm) |
| Estimated Net Worth | $1.5–2 million (combined with spouse) |
| Recognition | Kitten’s Rescue Award Advocacy (4th Annual Furball) |
Who Is Minoo Rahbar?
Minoo Rahbar is an American animal activist and feline welfare champion best recognized as Jackson Galaxy’s wife. Born on August 14 in Iran, she later became a naturalized U.S. citizen. Her zodiac sign is Leo—a fitting symbol for someone fiercely dedicated to protecting vulnerable animals.
Unlike her famous husband, Minoo avoids the spotlight. She doesn’t chase media attention or seek public recognition. Instead, she channels her energy into rescuing stray cats, nursing sick kittens back to health, and connecting them with forever homes. This deliberate privacy makes her even more intriguing to fans curious about the woman standing beside the “Cat Daddy.”
According to publicly available records, Minoo Rahbar has dedicated over a decade to organized cat rescue efforts in the Los Angeles area—a statistic that underscores her long-term commitment to animal welfare.
Early Life and Iranian Heritage
Minoo’s story starts in rural Iran, where she was born before her family relocated to Tehran. Her childhood changed dramatically when the Iran-Iraq War erupted in 1980. The conflict forced her family to flee the country when she was approximately ten years old.
They settled in Van Nuys, a neighborhood within Los Angeles. Adjusting to a new culture, language, and lifestyle presented significant challenges. However, young Minoo adapted successfully. She attended Grant High School and built a new life in America. This experience of starting over shaped her compassionate character—a quality she’d carry into her adult work with animals.
Her cousin, Mitra Rahbar, became a recognized author and spiritual teacher. The surname “Rahbar” translates to “leader” or “guide” in Persian—an apt description for someone who now guides lost cats toward safety and loving families.
Education at UC Berkeley
Following high school, Minoo pursued higher education at the University of California, Berkeley—consistently ranked among the nation’s top public universities. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, studying human cultures and social behaviors.
This academic foundation provided valuable insight into relationships between people and animals. Understanding how humans interact with pets prepared her for the animal advocacy work she’d eventually embrace full-time. Berkeley’s diverse campus also exposed her to various perspectives on social issues, including animal welfare and ethical treatment of all living beings.
Career as a Cat Rescue Advocate
Minoo Rahbar spent years rescuing cats from dangerous situations across Southern California. She located strays on urban streets, nursed sick kittens, and worked consistently to place them with adoptive families. Her dedication earned formal recognition: at the 4th Annual Furball event in Los Angeles, she received the Kitten’s Rescue Award Advocacy—an honor celebrating her sustained commitment to feline welfare.
She also volunteered internationally in Mexico, extending her rescue efforts beyond U.S. borders. Whether handling feral cats or abandoned kittens, Minoo approached every rescue with patience and genuine care. Her multilingual abilities—she speaks Spanish and reads Arabic—helped her connect with diverse communities during volunteer projects.
Before focusing exclusively on animal rescue, Minoo pursued a different career path. She worked as a touring puppeteer during the early 2000s, performing for Disney Junior productions including “Professor Crunch” and “Raffles.” This creative work took her across the country before she eventually returned to Los Angeles to pursue her true calling with animals.
Minoo Rahbar’s First Marriage
Minoo’s personal history includes a chapter that few articles adequately address. Before meeting Jackson Galaxy, she lived in Kenya for a period and married an Indian-Gujarati man. That marriage eventually ended in divorce.
After her first marriage dissolved, Minoo returned to the United States and redirected her energy toward cat rescue work. This difficult experience didn’t diminish her spirit—it refocused her passion toward helping animals in need.
How Minoo Rahbar Met Jackson Galaxy
The relationship between Minoo Rahbar and Jackson Galaxy began at a Kitten Rescue Gala in Los Angeles. Both attended the event because of their shared passion for saving cats. They exchanged contact information that evening, though their first meaningful conversation happened over coffee.
What was scheduled as a brief 15-minute coffee meeting transformed into something much more significant. They discovered an immediate connection built on mutual love for animals and aligned life values. Jackson, who had battled addiction earlier in his life, found in Minoo a partner who understood compassion and the importance of second chances.
Minoo Rahbar and Jackson Galaxy’s Wedding
On June 29, 2014, Minoo and Jackson exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony at Best Friends Animal Society’s sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. The location held special meaning—it’s the largest no-kill animal shelter in the United States, housing approximately 1,600 animals at any given time.
The wedding reflected their personalities authentically. Surrounded by family, friends, and numerous animals, they celebrated their union in a place dedicated to saving lives. Their dog Mooshka served as the ring bearer, adding a personal element that guests still remember fondly.
Note: Some online sources incorrectly list their wedding year as 2004, but verified records confirm 2014. Jackson publicly announced the wedding through Best Friends Animal Society’s official channels, confirming the ceremony took place at the Utah sanctuary.
Is Minoo Rahbar Still Married to Jackson Galaxy?
Yes, Minoo Rahbar and Jackson Galaxy remain happily married as of 2024. The couple resides in Los Angeles with multiple rescued cats and at least one dog. They’ve constructed a life centered entirely around animal welfare, sharing their home with pets they’ve personally rescued.
Both maintain a vegan lifestyle—a choice Jackson credits partly to Minoo’s influence and their shared ethical stance on animal treatment. They have no children together, instead devoting their parental energy to their growing family of rescued pets.
Jackson Galaxy Solutions: Their Shared Business
Minoo Rahbar plays an active operational role in Jackson Galaxy Solutions, the company she helps manage alongside her husband. The business sells cat products, holistic remedies, and wellness items designed to help cats thrive behaviorally and physically. The company has served pet owners for over 25 years.
Beyond commercial operations, the couple participates in rescue missions through programs like Operation Homeward Bound. These organized efforts transport cats from overcrowded shelters to rescue organizations with greater capacity. Minoo’s behind-the-scenes coordination keeps these logistics running efficiently.
Minoo Rahbar Net Worth
Financial estimates place Minoo Rahbar’s net worth between $1.5 and $2 million when combined with Jackson’s earnings. Her income derives primarily from Jackson Galaxy Solutions and their shared business ventures.
Jackson himself has generated substantial income from “My Cat From Hell” (which ran for 11 seasons from 2011-2018), multiple book publications, product lines, and speaking engagements. As his partner in both marriage and business, Minoo shares in their combined financial success. However, wealth clearly isn’t their
