Now, they are still gushing. When the couple showed up at the recent SAG awards, in honor of Michael Douglas’s best actor nomination for the Netflix The Kominsky Method, they simply doted over each other. “He’s the kindest man I ever met in my life,” Zeta-Jones told ET. She also said he’s her best friend.
Douglas made light of their age difference, a mere 25 years, and added, “We have the same birthday, few years apart,” going on to share, “The first time I ever met her I found out we had the same birthday and I told her, ‘I’m going to be the father of your children.’” Together they have two children, a son and a daughter, both teenagers.
Celebrities are always getting divorced. Or that’s how it seems. The limelight shines bright, their lives are under abnormal scrutiny, and the nature of their business drives them apart. It also provides a much higher degree of freedom. Getting divorced doesn’t come with common folk barriers. The rest of us have about a 40 percent divorce rate, while famous people probably have a 50 percent rate of divorce. But then non-celeb marriage is, more often than not, cash strapped; resulting in one out of five average American married people saying they would opt out of marriage, if only it wasn’t financially debilitating.
And sometimes couples defy the odds and live happily ever after. Most marriages aren’t fairy tale endings. Here are some high profile matches to celebrate. Some through thick and thin and others through happiness, actually.
Let’s see how they looked then - and get a peek at how they look now.
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick
Aww! Sarah Jessica Parker and Mathew Broderick looked absolutely adorable then.
And now, 21 years later, their charming marriage has endured and aged sweetly. The lovebirds met in 1991, waited until 1997 to get married, and put off having kids until 2002. They’ve managed two careers and they try to keep things private.
However, they do keep a few date sites they are known to frequent near their home in NYC’s West Village. Broderick offered this adoring comment upon marital bliss: “We really are friends beyond everything else and we talk a lot,” adding, “She’s really funny, she makes me laugh.”
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith Then
They met on the set of Fresh Prince of Belaire. Jada Pinkett auditioned but was passed over for the TV version of Will’s girlfriend. That’s okay. She landed it in real life.
Today they have two children together and lead busy career lives as life partners. And, though it pops up time and again, they’re tired of tabloid divorce gossip. Will’s response: “Stop the divorce rumors and mind your damn business!”
They hit a bumpy spot after 21 years into their marriage but worked it out to find they’re a lifetime couple, also known as life partners, and there is no end in that. According to Will, “’Cause I’ve never met anyone like [her], and I knew if I wasn’t with [her], I’d be searching in vain for the rest of my life.”
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw Then
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw were two country music rock stars who fell madly in love while on tour together, a roller coaster ride leaving two exes behind. It almost sounds like a country music song.
Faith and Tim fell in love while being engaged to other people. This all went down during Tim McGraw’s 1996 aptly named Spontaneous Combustion tour. Faith Hill was the opening act. Over 20 years of marriage later, they’re still madly in love.
Faith said, “I watch him perform and still to this day I’m awed by it.” Their side by side mega careers in country music hold the cornerstone to their relationship.
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Then
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos then, in 1996. They met on daytime soap opera All My Children as co-stars and love interests. (Not much acting necessary!)
Kelly and Mark’s careers have not gotten in the way of their marriage of 23 loving years. As a family of five, the TV star couple have three children together and maintain an openly spicy relationship on Instagram.
According to Kelly, “…we’re loyal to each other, we care about each other deeply.” She said last year, “We’re good friends and, you know, relationships evolve, and we just happened to be lucky enough that we evolved together. We grew together. Our roots became entangled.” Mark agrees, “We really dig each other. I’m crazy about her,” he said, “We keep it going.”
Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. Then
They were the most adorable couple then.
And now. Two children and 16 years later, still the most adorable Hollywood couple. They met on set of the 1997 I Know What You Did Last Summer film phenom. Since then they appeared in many movies together, and their relationship and careers in TV and film have blossomed. Sarah Michelle Gellar starred in Buffy and attributes marital success to being able to, “Take the 10 minutes – put the phone down. Have a cup of coffee together.”
Freddie also has some good advice. Devotedly proud of their happy marriage, he said the key is they got to know each other well first. They spent a good two years building a friendship before they dated.
Iman and David Bowie
Supermodel Iman and David Bowie then, in 1992. The rock star Bowie and Iman dated for three years before they married. The happy (but very private) days.
They have one daughter between them and a son and a daughter from previous marriages. Recently Iman opened up. Although it’s been three years since Bowie’s passing, Iman yet mourns and says she will never remarry.
They had 24 happy years together, and now, as a keepsake, Iman wears a gold pendant with his name around her neck and keeps busy with Supermodel work. “Sometimes, I don’t want people to know how sad I am,” Iman said.
Candace Cameron and Valeri Bure
Candace Cameron and Valeri Bure, then. Candace was just 19 when she met 21-year-old NHL player Valeri Bure from Russia. Full House star, a.k.a. D.J. Tanner, was impressed to know he loved the show and watched it to improve his English. They married in 1996.
Twenty-two years later, Candace is playing D.J. Tanner again on the new show Fuller House, and she and Valeri are still wildly in love. They attribute their marital harmony to Christian faith and biblical belief.
They are the loving parents of three kids, a tight-knit family also attributed to faith. “The reality is, the glue for us is Jesus,” Candace shared, elaborating, “it’s the Bible.”
Lisa Kudrow and Michael Stern
Then, Lisa Kudrow met French advertising executive Michel Stern. After six years of dating, they married in 1995.
Now, Stern has been married to the Friends star (Phoebe Buffay) for 24 years. They have one of the most respected Hollywood marriages; plus, a son, Julian, born in 1998. He’s recently gone off to college.
On Jimmy Kimmel Live! Kudrow said she’s handling it, “—well,” stated with a tone bereft of confidence. “I think I’m handling it really well—and, you know, like a mature adult—happy that our son is away,” she had to take a breath to finish, “…and independent. It’s hard!” Kudrow admitted, describing that difficult transition.
Victoria and David Beckham
Victoria married Beckham then, when he reigned as British professional football sensation for Manchester United and she dominated headlines as a Spice Girl. In 1997 when they met, Victoria had no idea who he was. David knew who Posh was, pointing her out to a friend once indicating which Spice girl he’d marry. When they met in the Manchester United lounge after a charity football event, their romance dance commenced and found them married by the summer of 1999.
In short, UK super popstar marries England’s greatest football player. The British press went berserk. After five years of marriage, the couple yet sparred with tabloid rumors. Frustrated by a 2004 spin, Beckham laid it out, “The simple truth is that I am very happily married. I have a wonderful wife and two very special kids.” They didn’t need the extra stress, one more was on the way while they dealt with (former) tabloid publication News of the World which ironically became embroiled within its own scandal and forced to shut down in 2011.
Today he’s a retired football legend set on establishing a MLS team in Miami and grooming his product brand, while she’s a fashion designer polishing her own brand. Beckham sums up their marriage success this way: “We stay together because we love each other and because we have four amazing children.”
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson
Tom and Rita, then. They tied the knot in 1988.
Tom and Rita’s love affair began on the set of Bosom Buddies, and it never ended. Hanks credits his wife with providing him an indescribable bond that goes beyond “wife,” “mother” or “lover.” He said, without her he could not have found the inspiration to play some of his greatest roles. He credited her directly for Philadelphia and Forest Gump. Making it snappy, he quips, “I’m a lucky man. She could’ve done better.”
They’re probably the only Hollywood couple who has managed to get a public apology out of The National Enquirer. In 2016 the tabloid retracted a story about an imminent divorce and admitted it was published in error. The fact is, they’ve been married three happy decades, and their love has only grown stronger.
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, then. Their stupendous Hollywood careers collided on several film sets at young ages. Young love ensued. But she was just 21 and Russell was barely 16!
The lovebirds partnered up permanently in 1983 after meeting up again on the set of Swing Shift.
As genuine life partners, the two have never married, yet have remained together for over 34 years. “I chose to stay. Kurt chose to stay, and we like the choice,” Goldie explains.
Denzel and Pauletta Washington
The adorably young couple, Denzel and Pauletta Washington, then. After dating from 1997 to 1983, Pauletta finally agreed to marry Denzel.
Now, married 35 years, People Magazine asked Denzel recently just how they keep it together. “I do what I’m told. I keep my mouth shut,” he laughed.
They’re a serious couple, one of the best marriages in all of Hollywood and in the world of black lives; ranked right up there with the enviable Michelle and Barack Obama’s. I don’t think the Obama’s have had Archbishop Desmond Tutu renew their vows in South Africa, but Denzel and Pauletta have. The Hollywood couple did just that in 1995. Their family is rounded out by four children and Pauletta gives the real answer to how they keep it together: “It’s all spiritual, it’s all based on God.”
Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness
Then, in 1996, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness married in Australia.
Now, in April, they will be married 23 years. Jackman reportedly knew that Deborra would be his life partner within two weeks of meeting her. When the Australian actors first met on the set of TV show Corelli, long before Jackman became Wolverine, he was certain she was the one.
“There was a chemistry…and every time we had a scene together it was unbelievable.” Today, “they” include two adopted children. And, as for nuptial longevity, Jackman says they have a “secret pact” formed when they first married. It is the glue that keeps their relationship strong.
Colin Firth and Livia Giuggioli
Colin Firth, Englishman, Oscar winner, and Time’s 100 most influential people of 2011 tied the knot with Italian film producer and director Livia Giuggioli in 1997. They have two teenage sons together, plus one son from Colin’s previous marriage.
Twenty-plus years of marriage hasn’t always been great. Regrettably, Colin and Livia landed themselves behind bold headlines, becoming one of the unlucky couples for whom tabloids exist on this planet after details of a secret 2015 separation came out.
But at appearances just last year they stood together in solidarity with their marriage and family. They’ve been married a long time, especially by celebrity standards. “You just navigate things on a daily basis,” according to Firth.
Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld
Then, Jerry and Jessica fell in love in between bagels and lox.
Now, the couple keeps their marriage of 19 years together with Long Island Chicken Parmesan (the meal Jessica prepared for their first date).
Legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld divulged that the first time he professed his love to his soon-to-be wife was over bagels and lox at their favorite NYC Jewish grocery. He described how he turned to her and said, “This is the perfect time to tell you that I love you.” Zabar’s remains a favorite stop for paper thin lox piled on fresh baked bagels. And, every Sunday it’s Chicken Parmesan. Marital bliss - their secret recipe.
Michelle Pfeiffer and David E. Kelley
Then, Michelle and David met at a bowling alley on a blind date in 1993. Falling wildly in love, they married later that year.
Twenty-five years on, the phenomenally successful Hollywood couple have nothing but praise for each other.
Of husband David Kelley, Michelle Pfeiffer says, “I got really lucky.” The generally very private Pfeiffer went on to Parade in 2012 sharing, “I never take him for granted. I’ve never met a person who has more integrity than my husband. I respect that. There’s his humor and intelligence, too, and he’s really cute, all those things – but if you don’t respect your partner, you’ll get sick of him.” For his part, he believes the secret to their relationship is loving and respecting each other and holding hands a lot.
Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford
Supermodel Cindy Crawford and male model and Rande Gerber, then. The gorgeous match tied the knot in 1998 and love and beauty has lasted and thrived for over 20 years!
Now, Gerber, 58, is a successful restaurant and bar entrepreneur and Crawford, 52, remains a supermodel. Their family life includes a son and a daughter who have grown up to be models as well.
The two recently adored each other and family in honor of their 20th on Instagram: “20 years ago today walking down the “aisle.” @randegerber, I couldn’t have chosen a better man to do this thing called life with. I love you.” Rande responded: “20 years ago today, 2 amazing kids and this beautiful girl with her arms always holding on tight, thank you for our life.” Fairy tale marriage. Close enough.
Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin
Lisa met Harry Hamlin, as she likes to call him, 27 years ago. It was love at first sight. He first laid eyes on her when she worked as an eyeglasses clerk.
He calls their movie star marriage a miracle, she says they’re “soulmates” because they’re crazy about each other, and he says they never get tired of each other’s stories.
“We’re still firing on all cylinders,” Harry Hamlin says. Accordingly, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star and actor Hamlin have one of Hollywood’s hottest marriages. Plus, two wonderful daughters.
Chris O’Donnell and Caroline Fentress
Then, Chris O’Donnell and Caroline’s romance blossomed at Boston College. He popped the question after Caroline became a kindergarten teacher. They married in 1997.
It’s all about family and marriage for this couple. They have five children. The youngest born in 2007. There’s Lily, Chip, Charlie, Finley and Maeve. As do-it-themselves parents, their lives continuously bustle around their tribe, while dad has time to sneak out and play Robin in Batman and Robin occasionally.
They’re in the “rush hour of life;” family, career, and busy busy schedules. Plus, one great marriage monitoring the hectic flow of life.
John Travolta and Kelly Preston
Then, the adorable Hollywood couple met on set. And, as classic rock band Toto bellows, “Love isn’t always on time.” She happened to be married, they happened to be filming The Experts together. . . Long story short, she divorced that very year and married Travolta in 1991.
And now they’re thrilled to be working together again playing the iconic Italian mafia boss couple John Gotti and his wife Victoria in the film Gotti, which hit theaters this past summer.
They love dancing together, and dancing together keeps their love together.
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas
Then, when Michael and Catherine met at a film festival over 20 years ago, they fell madly in love and he proposed three years later.
Now, they are still gushing. When the couple showed up at the recent SAG awards, in honor of Michael Douglas’s best actor nomination for the Netflix The Kominsky Method, they simply doted over each other. “He’s the kindest man I ever met in my life,” Zeta-Jones told ET. She also said he’s her best friend.
Douglas made light of their age difference, a mere 25 years, and added, “We have the same birthday, few years apart,” going on to share, “The first time I ever met her I found out we had the same birthday and I told her, ‘I’m going to be the father of your children.’” Together they have two children, a son and a daughter, both teenagers.