In a Hollywood world where ideal couples break up left and right, it’s a great feeling to know that there are still celebrity couples who do everything they can to stay together. True love does exist, even in the celebrity world. Meet them here!
1. Meryl Streep and Don Gummer
Meryl Streep and sculptor Don Gummer have been married for 40 years. They met when Meryl was still mourning the death of her boyfriend, John Cazale, and couldn’t stay at the apartment they shared together. Don, a friend of Meryl’s brother, offered his place while he traveled and Meryl accepted. Six months later, Meryl and Don were married at her parent’s house.
She told Yours, “I haven’t got over John’s death, but I’ve got to go on living and Don showed me how to do that.” They have four kids, all who have followed in their creative footsteps.
2. Denzel and Pauletta Washington
Denzel Washington and his wife, Pauletta, have been married for 36 years and are one of Hollywood’s lasting marriages. They first met on the set of the TV movie,
Wilma, in 1977 but they didn’t start dating until at least a year after they met. And when Denzel knew he wanted to marry Pauletta, he proposed to her three times because she said no twice! They finally got married on June 25, 1983.
When interviewed about the secret of their marriage, Denzel said to BlackDoctor.org, “I just think that you have to work at it. Not give up on each other. It’s a commitment…And hopefully you’re good friends first, that might help!”
3. Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell have been together for 35 years. They first met in 1966 on the set of
The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band. There was chemistry between them but it wasn’t going to work. Goldie had just turned 21 and Kurt was only 16. They wouldn’t be able to revisit that chemistry again until 17 years later on the set of
Swing Shift. Their first date was even more memorable. They didn’t want the night to end so they decided to move to Goldie’s house she was having renovated. The only problem is she forgot the key and they were forced to break inside. The cops came but, thankfully, didn’t ruin the night for them.
They’ve been together ever since, raising a family with their son, Goldie’s two children from her last marriage, and Kurt’s son from his last marriage. “I think the secret is to know when to depend on somebody and when not to,” she told Woman’s Day.
4. Oprah Winfrey and Stedman Graham
Oprah Winfrey and Stedman Graham started dating in 1986, around the time The Oprah Winfrey Show was born. At first, Oprah’s friends thought Stedman was either a jerk or wanted something from Oprah but she knew Stedman wasn’t both and continued to date him. In 1992, Stedman proposed to Oprah because “it was time.” And Oprah only said, “That’s great.” But the wedding never happened. And when they were asked about it in 2016, Oprah said that the subject just never came up again.
“The thing about our relationship is I want the best for her,” Stedman told Harpers Bazaar. “So I’m dedicated to her happiness.”
5. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have been married for 31 years. Tom Hanks first saw Rita Wilson on the small screen when she appeared in the sitcom,
The Brady Bunch in 1972. But they wouldn’t get to meet until nine years later on the set of
Bosom Buddies, where Tom was one of the stars and Rita was set to appear as a guest star. Once they met, they knew there was an instant connection between them. At that time, though, Tom was already married to his college sweetheart so they decided to remain friends. But his marriage was already on the rocks at that point. And by the time, Tom and Rita would work again, this time on the set of
Volunteers, Tom knew he needed to be with Rita.
Tom and Rita were married on April 30, 1988, a year after Tom’s divorce was finalized. “I wish there was a secret, you know. We just like each other. You start there,” Tom told People about the secrets to a successful marriage. He added, “No one should get married before they’re 30.”
6. Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan
Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan met on the set of
Family Ties, where Tracy played the girlfriend of Michael’s character, Alex. At the time though, sparks didn’t fly. In fact, they even barely spent time together off-camera because Tracy left as soon as filming shuts down to fly home to her then-boyfriend, Kevin Bacon. Their romance wouldn’t blossom until they worked together in the set of
Bright Lights, Big City in 1987. Michael proposed seven months later and were married on July 16, 1988.
When People asked what their marital philosophy was, Tracy said, “Just give each other the benefit of the doubt. He assumes I’m doing the best I can.” And Michael said, “Find the best things about you and the best things about life and celebrate them.”
7. John Travolta and Kelly Preston
It was love at first sight for John Travolta and Kelly Preston when they met on the set of the 1987 film
The Experts. But it was complicated because Kelly was still married to her first husband. Her first marriage was already broken at that time though and their divorce was finalized in 1987. She dated John eventually and married him in September 1991.
Since then, they’ve been through so many ups and downs and they even split up briefly a few years ago. But they’re back together again. “A relationship doesn’t just happen. You have to work at it. You’ve got to keep it fun and that’s what we do,” Kelly told US Magazine.
8. Sting and Trudie Styler
After 10 years of being together, Sting and Trudie Styler finally had their wedding in 1992. They’ve been married for 26 years and they’re still going strong. They might have had a rocky start to their relationship but they stuck through it together. And now, they have raised four kids together and built their own empires at the same time.
“We love each other — which is a given! — but we also like each other,” Sting told People. Styler added, “We have space apart because he tours and I go and do the things that I have to do with my films — we don’t live in each other’s pockets.”
9. Michelle Pfeiffer and David E. Kelley
Michelle went out on a blind date with David E. Kelley in 1993 but it didn’t go well. They went to a restaurant with a group and they didn’t even get to speak to each other that night. They tried to go on another date again, this time just the two of them and watched Bram Stoker’s Dracula. And they’ve been together ever since.
They got married a few months later, on the same day Michelle’s adopted daughter was christened. Yes, when they went on their first date, Michelle was in the process of adopting a child. And two months into their relationship, her daughter arrived. “We had this child with us right away, and most people don’t have that. But I really got to see him in a situation that certainly would separate the boys from the men,” Michelle told Good Housekeeping. “Life is made up of the choices and I’ve not always made good choices but I know I picked the right man. David and I work because we are really compatible,” she told Women Working.
10. Hugh Jackman and Debora-Lee Furness
When Hugh Jackman met Debora-Lee Furness for the first time, he knew she was the one he was going to marry her one day.
They met on the set of Corelli in 1995, which was Hugh’s first professional job. At that time, Debora was already a big star and everybody had a crush on her, including Hugh. But he didn’t want to be unprofessional so he kept his distance. Fortunately for him, Deb noticed and talked to him. He said he had a crush on her but he’ll get over it. And she said, “Oh? Because I’ve got a crush on you too.”
Four months later, Hugh proposed and a year later, they got married. What’s the secret to their union? “We’re really honest with each other, we talk about everything. If you’re in a situation where you can be yourself and really be honest, that’s a good start,” Hugh told Cinema Blend.
11. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith first met in 1994 when Jada auditioned for
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She didn’t get the role but she did get the attention of Will, especially when he saw her again on
A Different World. But Will was already married at that time, and even though he knew Jada was the one for him, he made a decision to stay with his wife. But when his first wife ended things with him, the first woman he wooed was Jada. They began to date when his divorce became final and married two years later.
It was definitely a marriage that had its fair share of trials, especially when Jada realized their whole life was about supporting Will’s dream. That was great, yes, but Jada also learned she had to “create part of this life that is designed and looks like me.” For Jada, she told Huffpost that Will “can do whatever you want as long as you can look yourself in the mirror and be OK.” And Will told People that “If [Jada] is straight, then everybody else will be. I am very clear at home that Jada’s physical, spiritual, mental health and comfort comes first.”
12. Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick
Sarah Jessica Parker’s marriage to Matthew Broderick is one of the few celebrity marriages that continue to inspire people and couples. The two met in 1991 when one of Sarah Jessica’s brothers introducer her to Matthew. Matthew was directing a play, at that time, for the Naked Angels Theater Company, which was founded by Sarah Jessica’s brothers. But it wasn’t until months later, on Feb. 1, 1992, to be exact, that Matthew called to ask out Sarah Jessica. They started dating after that call for five years until they got married on May 19, 1997.
When Sarah Jessica was asked on the Girlboss podcast what the secret to their marriage was, she said time apart is as important as time together. “I know this sounds nuts, but we have lives that allow us to be away and come back together.”
13. Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy
For Felicity Huffman, the first time she was William H. Macy at the Atlantic Theater Company in Manhattan in the early 80s, it was love at first sight. She made herself available to ask her out and when he did, “he was certainly worth it.” They eventually became a couple and William proposed to Felicity several times but she always said no. She was worried she’d lose herself in marriage. But on his last proposal, Felicity knew she couldn’t say no anymore. “I was finally smart enough to go: ‘I’m going to marry this guy or really lose him for good,'” she explained to
Woman’s Day.
They finally got married on September 6, 1997 and, despite trials and scandals, they’re still together 21 years later, stronger than ever. When Us Weekly asked William their secret, he said, “What’s the secret? I don’t think there is a secret. But mostly, I’m lucky. And no one has ever seen me the way she sees me.”
14. David and Victoria Beckham
When David Beckham saw Victoria Adams in the Spice Girls “Wannabe” music video in 1996, he told his Man U teammate, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry.” They finally met in 1997 while hanging out at the Man U players’ lounge but David didn’t have the courage to ask her out until the next time they would see each other. And Victoria made sure he got her number. They got married in a fairy tale wedding at a castle in Ireland on July 4, 1999.
Being a high-profile couple, there are a lot of people and publications determined to destroy them for money. But they have always worked through their problems together. “Of course you make mistakes over the years, and we all know marriage is difficult at times. It’s about working through it,” David said.
15. Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson
Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson got married almost 40 years ago and they have stayed together, despite all the break-ups in Hollywood. They met when they were still both in college and got married a few years after they graduated.
“You have to have a big heart and the Lord. You can’t do this without the Lord. You’re going to have to turn to somebody, something,” LaTanya told ESSENCE.
16. Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Guest
In May 1984, while Jamie was in her bedroom with her friend, Debra Hill, she pointed to a man on the pages of
Rolling Stones Magazine. “I’m going to marry that man,” she said. That man was Christopher Guest. Debra gave Jamie the number of Christopher’s agent. She called and left her number for Christopher to call but he never did. Disappointed, she began to date other men. Until one day, she went to meet friends at a restaurant in Hollywood and saw Christopher. They acknowledged each other with nods but didn’t talk. Christopher called the next day to ask her out and two months later, he proposed. Seven months after seeing him in the magazine, Jamie and Christopher got married.
When asked about how they made their marriage last, Jamie told Today, “Don’t get divorced… You think you’re having a bad week, but stay on the bus, because one of these days you’ll look out the window and it’ll be beautiful.”
17. Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick
Did you know that when Kyra first saw Kevin on the set of
Lemon Sky she thought he was a jerk? And Kevin thought she was beautiful and sexy and immediately fell in love with her. He knew she was the one and was willing to do the work to prove that to her. He kept inviting the whole cast to dinner every night, hoping she’d say yes and join them. “And I never said yes and he was always stuck with the check, poor guy,” she shared with
Conan. Eventually, Kevin’s plan worked after a perfectly timed gym (for him) and massage (for her) session. And they’ve been together ever since.
“We always knew that we were each other’s ‘one,'” Kyra told Redbook. “Both of us knew this was forever and we were going to work it out no matter what happens, so when we fight, it’s not so scary. You can’t be honest with someone if you think that they are going to leave.”
18. Hugh Laurie and Jo Green
Hugh Laurie and Jo Green met through a common friend in the early 80s and they started dating each other exclusively after that. They got married in June 1989 in Oxford, England, a few months after they welcomed their first child.
Despite being devoted to each other, they did experience marriage struggles, especially when Hugh was on The House, which required him to be in the US filming ten months out of the year for eight seasons. But they remained faithful to each other. “Jo and I complete each other perfectly, and I feel that over the years, we have become closer.”
19. Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze, Jr.
Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze, Jr. met on the set of
I Know What You Did Last Summer in 1996 but remained friends. They didn’t start dating until 2000. Freddie told
US Weekly, “From the first time we kissed, I didn’t go on another date — it was just Sarah.”
And they credit having a strong friendship before having a romantic relationship for the success of their marriage. Sarah told People, “Make the most of the time that you have. We’re pulled in so many directions, so make sure that, whichever one you are focusing on, you’re present.”
20. Robert Downey, Jr. and Susan Levin
When they first met, Susan Levin was not attracted at all to Robert Downey, Jr. In fact, she thought he was weird. They met on the set of
Gothika in 2002, where RDJ was one of the stars and Susan was the producer, and RDJ pursued her. She finally agreed to go on a date with him and, in the process, changed her mind about him. They began to date but kept it a secret from the production because Susan didn’t know how long the relationship would last. By November 2003, they were engaged. And in August 2005, they were married.
It’s been 13 years of marriage and they are still happy. “For whatever reason, when we came together, there was a sense of hope and excitement and possibility,” Susan said. “If there was no Hollywood, no next movie, no deal at Warner Brothers, no place in Malibu or Venice, I would still be really happy.”
21. Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard
When Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard first met in 2007, they were wary of each other at first. Dax was uneasy about her uninhibited happiness and thought she was in a cult. And he was her complete opposite. He was wild and a former addict while she went to Catholic school, did great in school, and was charitable. They were completely wrong for each other but they still fell in love. And now they’ve been together for 12 years and married for six years, raising two daughters.
Kristen and Dax shared their take on what makes their relationship work with Insider, including this one.”Know that everyone is doing the best they can with what they’ve got,” Kristen wrote on Instagram. “So get a bigger emotional toolbox to fix your problems.”
22. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi
Their story began in 2000 when Portia de Rossi saw Ellen DeGeneres at a party and knew she was in love with her at that moment. But she couldn’t do anything about it because she hadn’t come out to the public. Fast forward to 2004. Ellen and Portia reconnected at VH1’s Big in ’04 Awards. It wouldn’t be until 2005 when Portia would come out to her grandma and to the public about her sexuality and her relationship with Ellen. They moved in together soon after the announcement and were married in 2008 when same-sex marriage was made legal in California.
Since they got together for the first time, they have been inseparable and happy. “It’s good to be loved. It’s profound to be understood.” This is what Portia said to Ellen when they got married and what Ellen said to Portia when the latter surprised her with her 60th birthday gift.
23. Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel officially met at the 2007 Golden Globes. They flirted and sparks flew. But when Justin called to ask Jessica out, it took a lot of persistence from him for her to say yes. And it still wasn’t easy even when they finally became a couple. Justin was away for a few months to go on tour and they had to spend the early part of the relationship away from each other. That changed when Jessica flew to the UK to join Justin during the last leg of his tour.
Since then, they’ve been inseparable. Until they broke up in 2011. For two months. And they got back together and sealed it with a proposal. A year later, they got married. Justin explained to Bustle what makes their marriage work, “We have similar values; we believe in loyalty, honesty. We like to have fun. We like a lot of the same things… We’re all very career-oriented, and you have to be a little selfish… And if you can find that and someone who shares the same values as you, Score!”
24. Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos have been married since May 1, 1996 and more than twenty years later, they’re still going strong. Kelly shared that for her, it was love at first sight and it started with a photo. Kelly was already part of the cast of
All My Children when Mark joined as her love interest. And there was instant chemistry between the two of them. They started dating until, a year later, they got married.
People may think their life is picture-perfect since they’ve stayed together for so long but they’ve had their share of trials, too. Mark said in an interview with USA Today that he’s still learning even after more than 23 years of being together. And his advice for other couples who decided to end their marriages? “You wonder, ‘Really? You’re going to quit now? It’s just been a couple of years. Maybe you should try to stick it out,’” he said. “It’s kind of great to have a life together with someone.
25. John Legend and Chrissy Teigen
Unlike the other couples in this article, it wasn’t love at first sight for John Legend. They met when Chrissy Teigen was cast to star in John’s music video in 2007. John told
US Weekly, “I’m the kind of person who needs to grow into that feeling. It was probably a couple of years when I could already see us being together forever.” And it was alright with Chrissy since marriage was from her mind, anyway. And they were perfectly okay with just texting and talking on the phone with each other since John was out on tour.
And all that texting, talking on the phone and time apart led them to try dating when John returned from his tour. That’s when John knew there was a connection between that blossomed into a relationship, a marriage, and babies. “We actually really love and respect and admire each other. I think that’s the foundation of who we are as a couple and we actually enjoy each other’s company,” he shared with Martha Stewart Weddings.
26. Steve and Nancy Carell
Steve Carell knew early on that Nancy was the right one and he was going to marry her. But it didn’t seem like it when they first met. Nancy worked at the bar across the street from Second City, where Steve worked and Nancy studied. Steve liked her but was so shy, he didn’t know how to ask her out. So he kept asking, “‘Hey, you know, if I were ever to ask a woman out, it would be someone like you, exactly like you.” And she’d say, “If a guy like you were ever to ask a woman like me out, I would definitely do that.” This went on for weeks until they realized they liked each other and finally went out on a date.
And when they got married in 1995, he remembered standing by the altar and watching her walk down the aisle. A sense of calm just came over him and he knew this was the right thing to do. “It was very empowering knowing that person was going to be my partner and have my back,” Steve told Good Housekeeping. What’s the secret to their strong union? “There’s no secret,” Steve told The Guardian. “I think you get lucky.”
27. Emily Blunt and John Krasinski
Emily Blunt and John Krasinski met through a common friend. They were both having dinner at the same restaurant. John was with Justin Theroux and Emily was with a friend, who knew John. The same friend introduced them to each other and that was it. John abandoned Justin and just spent his time trying to make Emily laugh. John was actually really nervous and all he kept thinking was, ‘Oh God, I think I’m going to fall in love with her.’ And when he shook her hand, he told her, “I like you.” It may seem strange to other people but Emily liked it. She liked it so much that they started dating. And two years later, they were married in Lake Como, Italy.
And the secret to their union? “We really trust each other,” Emily told E! News. “We’re very honest with each other.
28. Chip and Joanna Gaines
Chip and Joanna Gaines have been married for 16 years but did you know the relationship almost never happened because of $50? Chip made a bet with a friend on who can hold out the longest before calling their dates again. It’s a good thing Joanna gave him another chance and a second date when he finally called months later!
Joanna took her time to get to know him and it paid off. They got married two years later and began their life of building an empire of design and renovation. Even the kids help with the renovations! But even though they make time for their kids, they believe in prioritizing their relationship above all. “Jo and I both made a commitment pretty early on that the two of us are the most important variable,” Chip told People. “If we can figure out how to be right as a couple, then obviously we a have a lot better opportunity to be right for our kids,” he added.
29. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban
When Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban met at the 2005 G’Day USA gala, Nicole was convinced Keith had no interest in her. She had such a huge crush on him but he didn’t pay much attention to her and didn’t even call her until months later. Keith disagreed and said he had her number in his pocket every day. But he couldn’t call her because he knew she’d answer the call. And when she answered, he wouldn’t know what to say so he didn’t call. He did call and they talked and talked and talked and the rest was history.
They got married a year later and have been together for 13 years. And they’re both so thankful because they met at the point in their lives when they could open themselves to each other. The secret to their marriage? “The greatest thing our family priest told us very early on in our marriage was, ‘Always kiss hello and kiss goodbye’,” Kidman told InStyle. It just keeps you connected.”
30. Faith Hill and Tim McGraw
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw are American country music sweethearts. They first met in 1994 at a Country Radio Seminar showcase for new artists. But it wasn’t until two years later when Faith joined Tim’s Spontaneous Combustion Tour that the sparks flew between them. Faith was engaged but broke it off to be with Tim. “I wasn’t about to let Tim slip through my hands,” she told
People. In October of the same year, they got married and have been together for 22 years.
When People asked what their secret was to a happy marriage, Faith said, “We each have our own space to retreat to so we do get time to ourselves.”
31. Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard
Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard are the next-door couple other couples dream they could be. They met in June 2002 through Maggie’s brother and Peter’s friend, Jake Gyllenhaal. They dated for a long time so they could get to know each other well first before making the decision to get married. When Peter finally popped the question in April 2006, Maggie said yes and they had a beautiful wedding in Italy.
The couple has managed to keep their lives very private for their daughters. According to the couple, “Relationships are a balancing act between focusing on your life as a couple and you as an individual.”
32. Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber
They say when you meet someone over alcohol, or in this case tequila, it won’t last. Well, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber just proved them wrong! Granted, they became friends first since they were still involved with other people when they met. When Cindy’s marriage ended, she turned to Rande for friendship and they ended up dating eventually. They got married in 1998 and now have two beautiful kids to complete their family.
So what’s the key to their long-lasting marriage? Cindy told Daily Telegraph that finding the right balance between work and family has been crucial to their marital bliss. “I make my husband a priority and don’t take things for granted.”
33. Elton John and David Furnish
Elton John and David Furnish have been together since 1993. At this point, Elton had been sober for three years,
had moved back to England and wanted to expand his social circle. So he called up a friend and invited him to dinner and bring new people. This same friend brought David to the dinner, who was prepared to have a dull evening. But when Elton and David met, there was an instant connection, which led to David coming back the next day for a more personal dinner with Elton. “We fell in love very quickly,” Elton said.
They were together for 12 years before Elton popped the question to David, who said yes! Since same-sex marriage wasn’t legal in the UK at that time, they entered into a civil partnership. But when same-sex marriage became legal in 2014, they quickly converted their partnership into a legal marriage. One of the keys to their lasting relationship is communication. “We go through difficulties as much as anybody else does in a relationship, but we sort through it by communication. And one way of communicating is writing down on a piece of paper or a card how you’re feeling,” Elton shared with Biography.
34. Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka
Neil Patrick Harris met David Burtka in 2004. “I just stammered around him. I couldn’t take my eyes off him,” Neil told
Out magazine. Since David was in a relationship, they were friends at first. But when David’s relationship ended, he and Neil had their first official date a week later. They hung out every single night after that. In 2007, David proposed to Neil at the same street corner in New York where they met. In 2008, Neil proposed to David in Santa Monica. They officially got married in September 2014 in Italy.
So, how do they make it work all these years? Neil told Entertainment Tonight, “Marriage isn’t always easy. I think the secret to a relationship is just perseverance.”
35. Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynold’s wedding news in 2012 took everyone by surprise. The media had reported that they were dating but both Blake and Ryan never confirmed it so people didn’t really believe it. That is until they announced that they had gotten married in September 2012. The couple first met on the set of
Green Hornet in 2010 but they were both involved with other people at that time. But when promotions for the movie started in 2011, they were both single and had developed a relationship that became more than friendship.
Since they got married, they’ve had two kids (with one more on the way!) and thriving careers. What makes them stay a family? According to Blake and affirmed by Ryan on Elite Daily, “What seems to make so many marriages positive is when a couple sees each other as their closest friend and goes to them for guidance.”
36. Barack and Michelle Obama
One of the world’s favorite couple, Former POTUS Barack Obama and Former FLOTUS Michelle Obama may not be in the White House anymore but they’re still very much in the spotlight. And almost everyone still loves them because they seemed like the perfect couple. But what they show in front of the cameras is very different behind the camera.
Having been married for 26 years, they’ve been through a lot and they’ve learned a lot about themselves, their marriage, and their family. “Marriage is a choice you make every day,” Michelle explained during Essence Festival 2019. “You don’t do it because it’s easy. You do it because you believe in it. You believe in the other person. That’s why it’s so important to marry somebody that you respect.”
37. Stephen and Ayesha Curry
Stephen and Ayesha Curry met at a church youth group when they were 15 and 14 years old, respectively. But it wasn’t years later when they would reconnect in Hollywood, where Ayesha was living at that time and Stephen was visiting for the ESPYs Ceremony. Sparks flew and they began dating. Four years later, they sealed their relationship in a beautiful wedding ceremony in the same church where they met.
Ayesha shared with Hello Giggles the advice her parents and in-laws gave to make their marriage last. “The one thing that they both shared with us is just making sure that we put each other first, even before the kids, as tough as that sounds,” she said. “Putting ourselves first, and making sure that we make time for date nights and for each other. That’s been very important.”
38. Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart
Despite their 22-year age gap, Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart have been together for 17 years and counting. Harrison had failed marriages and affairs in the past but he finally found love when he met Calista in 2002. For seven and a half years, they dated exclusively and shared a life together until Harrison popped the question in 2009 during their Valentine’s vacation. They were married in a very casual wedding in Santa Fe, New Mexico the next year. How casual? Harrison wore Wrangler jeans and Calista had on a white summer dress.
When asked about how they managed to stay together, Calista said that they make each other laugh. “Harrison and I laugh a lot, and humor is everything to me.”
39. Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones met at the Deauville Film Festival in France in 1996. Someone told Catherine that Michael wanted to meet her and she got nervous. ” I didn’t quite know what he wanted to meet me about,” she told
Larry King. They met at the hotel bar for a nightcap after all their press obligations, where Michael made a faux pas. He told after half an hour, “You know, I’m going to be the father of your children.” It had sounded good on his head but made Catherine say goodnight. He sent her flowers and an apology, which Catherine accepted. And now, they’ve been married for 17 years and have two kids together!
When asked about the key to their long and lasting marriage, Catherine said on Today, “Both Michael and I have a very open relationship. You’ve got to be open and honest and share things that probably people at the drug store wouldn’t share over the counter.”
40. Warren Beatty and Annette Bening
Warren Beatty used to be such a womanizer. He didn’t want to get married because he didn’t want to get divorced. That all changed when he met Annette Bening when he was casting for his movie,
Bugsy. They met up over lunch and Warren
said, “It took about 10 minutes [to fall in love with her]. Maybe five.” After that lunch, Warren
told Barry Levin, “I love her, and I’m going to marry her.” They tied the knot one year later.
Togerther now for 28 years and married for 27, Warren says the special factor in their marriage is Annette. And for Annette, she says their family gives her joy. “We have an incredible family,” she explained. “We have beautiful children. We’ve been through a lot. It’s the center of life. It’s the most important thing. It’s everything.”