<Tr> <Th> Relatives </Th> <Td> Camille Travis (niece) Arlene Travis (sister - in - law) </Td> </Tr> <P> Richard Webber, M.D. is a fictional character from the ABC medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy . The character is portrayed by actor James Pickens, Jr., and was created by Shonda Rhimes . He was previously the Chief of Surgery at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital for 11 years, and was replaced briefly by Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) and later permanently by Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd). </P> <P> Richard married his wife, Adele (Loretta Devine) on Valentine's Day . During their residency at Seattle Grace, he had an affair with Meredith's mother, Ellis Grey, although both were married . Although Ellis left her husband, Richard could not bring himself to leave his wife, Adele (he would learn decades later that Adele had known about the affair all along and stayed with him anyway). He confessed in a later episode that he ended the affair because he believed that Ellis deserved better and that he had too much baggage . After completing his residency, Richard left Seattle Grace to complete his fellowship . There are continuity errors regarding where exactly Richard built his career; at one point he states that with the exception of his fellowship, he spent his entire career at Seattle Grace . However, it is also established that he both taught and befriended Addison and Derek, presumably in New York (the majority of references within the show, as well as additional sources, indicate that a good portion of Richard's career was spent in Manhattan, rather than Seattle). He graduated from Northwestern University (as shown in the degree in his office) </P> <P> The enigmatic Chief of Surgery at Seattle Grace is a leading figure in the show . Always vigilant, seeking and trying new things, his ambition is to see Seattle Grace as the top surgical program in the country . This sometimes leads him to take daring decisions, at the beginning of the first season the Surgical Program is presented as one of the best in the United States . Later in the series his wife Adele asks him to retire, forcing him to choose between his career or their marriage . He tries to skirt around it, but Adele, tired of waiting, makes her choice and leaves him . He moves out and sleeps in his office for a short time . Since learning of Ellis Grey's illness, Richard had been visiting her regularly, but upon deciding to attempt a reconciliation with Adele, he realizes that he can no longer continue his emotional affair with Ellis . He attempts to patch things up with his wife, but is stunned to find out that she has apparently moved on to someone else . In the meantime, Richard makes plans to retire and must name his successor . He first thought of recommending Dr. Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington) as his successor, but after the secret of Burke's tremor and cover - up came out, that plan is put to a stand - still . Nevertheless, he tells the hospital board of his retirement but has yet to name his successor; Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), Preston, Dr. Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) and Dr. Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) are all eagerly clamoring for the post . Richard eventually chooses Derek, but Derek tells him that Richard should remain chief . </P>

Who is the chief having an affair with