A new and effective asymmetric synthesis of anti-1,3-mercapto alcohols 3 from α,β-unsaturatedketones 1 utilizing tandemMichaeladdition–Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley (MPV) reduction is described. Transformation of the MPV products anti-4 via the Wagner–Meerwein rearrangement was optimized under acidic or basic conditions to afford 1,3-mercapto alcohols anti-3, depending on the substituent R2 of 4.