Who Is Emily Riedel’s Husband? Meet Her Spouse Alex Trokey and Their Children

Emily Riedel made waves as the first and only female dredge captain on Discovery Channel’s Bering Sea Gold, a show that chronicles the high-stakes world of gold mining in the icy waters off Nome, Alaska. While her work at sea made her a household name, Emily’s life ashore paints a softer, deeply personal picture—one centered around love, family, and quiet resilience in Homer, Alaska. This is the story of Emily Riedel’s husband, their journey together, and the two children they’re raising far from the glare of the TV spotlight.

Who Is Emily Riedel’s Husband?

Emily Riedel is married to Alex Trokey (Alexander Matthew Trokey), born in January 1990 in Chicago. He moved to Homer, Alaska, in 2018 to do missionary work and quickly embraced the local community, laying the foundation for the life he and Emily would later build together. A finance graduate, Alex could have chosen a traditional career path in Washington, D.C., but instead took the road less traveled—literally. He drove up the Alaska Highway in a “barely road-worthy Astro van,” a choice that symbolized his deep desire to live a life of purpose, community, and challenge.

In Homer, Alex found a sense of belonging and purpose. He began working as a welder while simultaneously launching The Alaska Show, a podcast highlighting stories from Alaskans in the Kachemak Bay region. Through his long-form interviews, he became known for his thoughtful questions and grounded personality—a quality Emily would come to admire.

Alex met Emily in April 2020, introduced by her brother. Their relationship blossomed during the pandemic, with a shared love of Alaska’s rugged life and independent spirit.

Emily later described 2020 as “the best year of my life,” despite global uncertainty, because it was the year she met her future husband.

By January 2021, they were engaged, and on May 7, 2021, they exchanged vows in a joyful ceremony in Homer. Emily wore a classic white lace gown with a deep sweetheart neckline, delicate floral embroidery, and a fitted bodice that flared into a gentle A-line skirt. Her blonde curls were softly styled, and she carried a simple bouquet of greenery and white flowers. Alex, standing beside her, wore a tailored black suit with a white shirt and tie, accented by a boutonnière that matched Emily’s bouquet. Emily would later describe it as the “happiest day of my life,” sharing a wedding photo on social media with her followers.

Alex has since become a vital part of Emily’s mining operation. From managing logistics to co-running their website BeringSeaPaydirt.com, he’s helped steer Team Eroica behind the scenes—while also embracing the unpredictable rhythm of parenthood.

Meet the Children of Emily Riedel and Alex Trokey

Emily and Alex have two children, both born at home in Homer, in keeping with their low-key and self-sufficient lifestyle.

Evelyn Isobel Trokey

Born on March 29, 2022, at 9:00 PM, Evelyn Isobel Trokey—lovingly called “Evie,” “Evie Bell,” or “Baby Bear”—was welcomed into the world at their home in Homer, Alaska. Weighing 8 pounds, 8 ounces, she was described by Emily as “objectively the most beautiful girl” she had ever seen.

Her arrival was announced in a heartfelt message shared by Alex on Facebook:

“Hey everyone this is Alex – Emily’s husband. Emily had a baby girl two nights ago. She and baby are happy and healthy and home.”

Emily shared that the first few weeks of parenthood were a mix of awe, gratitude, and surprising calm:

“The last few weeks have been scary, incredible, and really, not that hard. I don’t know what everyone is going on about when they say newborns are tough! (calm down moms, I’m joking).”

She added that they were thrilled to spend uninterrupted time bonding with their daughter before gold season kicked off:

“I’m grateful that Alex and I have had some time to spend together with our daughter and learn how to take care of her before things get too crazy getting the Eroica in the water and hunting for gold.”

According to Emily, Evie was as healthy as any baby their OB-GYN had seen—feeding well, sleeping well, and growing quickly. The family was excited to introduce her to Nome as part of their seasonal rhythm.

Arthur Trokey

On January 15, 2024, Emily gave birth to their son, Arthur, a milestone she announced publicly:

“I want to announce the birth of our son Arthur on Monday, January 15th.”

With Arthur’s arrival, Emily offered an honest look into how parenting two young children reshaped her outlook on work and family. In one candid post, she discussed how gold mining had become more complicated—not just physically, but logistically and emotionally. She now had to account for nap schedules, feeding times, and the safety of having two kids in a high-risk environment. Emily began reevaluating the seasonal routine she and Alex had maintained for years—splitting time between Nome for mining season and Homer for the off-season. She questioned whether the long-distance hauls, the cold, and the unpredictable lifestyle were sustainable with toddlers in tow.

She summed it up memorably:

“It feels like slightly bad parenting to take a 1-year-old on a snow machine ride to our Bering Sea ice hole in -20 F.”

Her words reflected a growing awareness that what once felt adventurous now carried new weight in the context of motherhood.

Alex Trokey: Emily Riedel’s Partner in Family, Recovery, and Team Eroica

Emily Riedel and her husband Alex Trokey divide their time between Nome, where gold mining operations take place, and Homer, their off-season retreat. In Homer, they live with their children in a “funky little off-grid tiny home,” which Emily describes as peaceful, grounding, and full of meaning.

Their family life reflects a mix of rugged endurance and quiet resilience. Emily Riedel, who rose to fame as the only female dredge captain on Bering Sea Gold, spent over a decade relying on peak physical fitness to dive beneath sea ice, operate heavy machinery in Arctic conditions, and lead her dredging crew through some of the most demanding mining seasons on television. Although she officially stepped away from the show in late 2024, her legacy continues to shape how fans remember the high-stakes world of gold diving in Nome. But behind the scenes, she’s also faced deeply personal challenges.

In a 2021 statement, Emily opened up about why she missed one season of Bering Sea Gold: Under the Ice. In January 2020, she and then-fiancé Alex Trokey contracted COVID-19. While her symptoms were initially mild, the virus triggered a post-viral syndrome that left her with chest pain, fatigue, and recurring weakness. Unable to continue, Emily made the difficult decision to return to Homer—marking the first time she had ever stepped away from mining.

With rest, faith, and the support of Alex—whom she married in May 2021—Emily gradually recovered. She later wrote,

“A major factor in my return to health was overcoming the depression and anxiety this illness caused, which would have been impossible without the love and support of my husband, my family, and my church community.”

By 2023, their home life had flourished. On Father’s Day, Emily praised Alex’s parenting with their daughter Evelyn:

“Nothing could have convinced me more than being married to a man who is a wonderful father… it’s a joy to see Evie being raised by a dad who will always love and protect her.”

As their family expanded and routines changed, Alex began playing a central role in Team Eroica. By 2025, he was managing operations, modernizing safety protocols, and helping lead the team through new technical upgrades. One major initiative in April 2025 involved Nitrox (EANx) training for safer, extended dive missions. Alex led the project and oversaw equipment upgrades while balancing family life in Homer.

Today, the couple continues to navigate gold mining, parenting, and business together—with Alex deeply involved in every layer of Team Eroica’s success