24 Relationship Tips From Hollywood Couples Who Have Been Together Forever
Long-term relationships aren't common in Hollywood. Breakups are an everyday part of celebrity news. Even the couples we all thought were #relationshipgoals (we're looking at you Chris Pratt and Anna Faris) often call it quits.
Aside from having your entire relationship on display to the world, there are many reasons Hollywood romances come to an end. It can be stressful to date under a public microscope; everybody has ideas and judgments of who you are, separately and together.
Add to that the actual logistics of two famous people carving out time for one another. Different shooting and touring schedules mean the opportunities to see and spend quality time with their partner are few and far between.
Bottom line: it's really hard to stay married as a celebrity.
That being said, there are many duos who do, in fact, make their marriages work. These long-term celebrity couples seem like a phenomenon and we're often left wondering how they have survived, especially after so many years.
Luckily, we've compiled a list of their marital secrets to share with you. Here's what they had to say.
24 Tom Hanks And Rita Wilson Say It's All About Appreciation
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson's marriage is probably older than some of you! The couple celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2018. Talk about impressive! They met on set in the '80s and fell in love, and the rest is history.
Hanks has said many times that the key to their relationship is appreciation. They tell each other and show each other with their actions, all the time that they appreciate each other. And Wilson has said that Hanks has always loved her exactly as she was and has never asked her to change. Apparently, Hanks is a big giver of massages. Just one of the little ways he shows Wilson that he appreciates every little thing she does.
23 Chrissy Teigen And John Legend Say You Need To Make Every Minute Count
If we're going to talk about #relationshipgoals, we absolutely have to talk about Chrissy Teigen and John Legend. Is there a more adorably perfect couple out there? Though the couple has only been married for five years, but they've been together for 11 and they've schooling us on how to do a relationship right the whole time.
Teigen has said that the complicated travel schedules that their job requires are actually part of what makes their relationship so awesome.
She says that being apart so often and for so long makes them truly appreciate every moment that they have together.
They often plan elaborate and exciting things to do in the time they'll be together. Teigen once even surprised Legend with a Mr. and Mrs. trip to a strip club! Talk about a couple that knows how to keep the spark going.
22 Sarah Jessica Parker And Matthew Broderick Say The Key Is Change
This year SJP and Matthew Broderick celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary! In an interview with People Magazine, Parker opened up about what it takes to stay married for so long, especially when you're both in the spotlight.
She said the most important thing was the ability to adapt to change and grow together. None of us stay the same over any considerable period of time, so it makes sense that our relationships change as well. In order to stay with the person you love, you both need to be willing to face change head-on and come up with solutions together.
And that's exactly what Parker and Broderick have done for literally decades.
21 Emily Blunt And John Krasinski Say It's All About Empowering Each Other
These two lovebirds have been married for eight years, but they've been together for more than ten after meeting in an L.A. restaurant in 2008.
So, how do they keep that honeymoon feeling going? They see the best in each other and encourage each other to be the best version of themselves.
Blunt has said that an essential part of any relationship is encouraging your partner to achieve their dreams and then receiving support from them when you want to achieve your dreams.
The couple is constantly building each other up and challenging each other to chase new things. Their joint project A Quiet Place, which came out this year is a testament to this.
20 Catherine Zeta-Jones And Michael Douglas Say That You Have To Put In The Work
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas are no strangers to difficult times. Having undergone many rough patches-including a brief separation-this couple has maintained that putting in the necessary work is what got them to the other side.
It's even stronger now as they bravely face Douglas's battle with cancer.
Douglas has said that the only reason their marriage survived all the trials and tribulations that it did was that they were both willing to put in the effort. It takes determination and perseverance to keep a marriage strong, and both partners have to be onboard. One partner's work can't save a marriage.
19 Jamie Lee Curtis And Christopher Guest Say The Secret Is Just Don't Walk Away
Jamie Lee Curtis (most recently seen in the new Halloween movie) and her husband Christopher Guest will have been married for a whopping 34 years this year.
With longevity like that, the obvious question is how do they do it? Curtis jokes that their secret is they just haven't gotten divorced! She adds that they have worked through the hard times and stuck it out even when it would have been easier to call it quits.
18 Barbra Streisand And James Brolin Say You Have To Tell The Truth… Kindly
Legends Barbara Streisand and James Brolin tied the knot in 1998, which means their marriage turns 20 years old this year! Believe it or not, they've been together even longer than that.
According to Streisand, the secret to their marriage is telling the truth but telling it with compassion, not spite.
She has said that she used to use the truth as a way to be hurtful, by saying things that her husband didn't need to hear. Today, she still tells the truth, but she always does it in the kindest way possible.
She and Brolin rely on each other's truthfulness to get through everything.
17 Oprah Winfrey And Stedman Graham Say The Key Is Not Being Intimidated
Oprah and her man Stedman Graham have been together for over 32 years. They made a conscious decision not to get married, but continue to build and invest in their commitment.
Hearing them talk about each other is like a master class in supportive relationships.
Oprah has said the most important thing in their relationship is that Graham isn't intimidated by the fact that she's such a strong and influential woman.
Some men have a hard time handling that, but for Graham, it's one of the things he loves most about Oprah. He's said that he feels honored to be with a woman who has done so much to change the world.
16 Victoria And David Beckham Say The Most Important Thing Is Trust
Two of the best Brits out there, Posh Spice aka Victoria Beckham, and soccer superstar David Beckham first met in 1997. They've been married for 19 years.
Both Victoria and David have said that the most important aspect of their relationship is the trust they have for one another. With vastly different schedules, they're away from each other a lot, but they both trust that the other is being faithful to their marriage.
They also trust each other's opinions. David has said that he's really bad at making decisions and that he always asks Victoria because he trusts her judgment.
15 Nick Offerman And Megan Mullally Say Compromise Is The Key
Possibly the funniest couple alive, Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally are celebrating their 15th anniversary this year. While laughter is obviously an integral part of the dynamic between these two comedians, it's not the one that has been most important to their success.
According to Offerman, compromise is essential. Expecting everything to go your way in any relationship, especially marriage is setting yourself up for a big disappointment.
Offerman also acknowledges that a lot of the time, he just needs to shut his mouth. Not everything needs to be said!
14 Sarah Michelle Gellar And Freddie Prinze Jr. Swear By Unplugged Time Together
Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. are perhaps the most iconic '90s duo. They met on the set of I Know What You Did Last Summer in 1997, but didn't start dating until two years later in 1999. They've now been married for over 15 years.
Prinze says that spending one on one time together without any distractions is the key to their success. At least once a day, he and Gellar turn off all their screens and focus completely on each other and their kids.
Whether its a cup of coffee or a walk with the dog at night, they always make time for screen-free interaction.
13 Jada Pinkett Smith And Will Smith Say It's All About The Traditions You Create
Actors Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith, who've been going strong since the mid-'90s, have lots of experience with making each other feel special, which they say is the key to their marriage. They even created a special tradition to honor one another.
Smith says that he and Jada stopped giving each other presents on traditional holidays because it was too conventional and became expected.
Instead, they surprise each other with gifts on random days of the year and create their own unexpected holidays.
For them, the surprise keeps things fresh and makes the gift giving more meaningful.
12 Pauletta And Denzel Washington Say The Key Is Sharing The Same Values
Denzel Washington and his wife have been married for 34 years. When asked what it takes to stay married for so long, both of them pointed to their shared spiritual beliefs.
Denzel has said that building their life on a “spiritual foundation” is really what makes their relationship work. Pauletta has said that faith - in their beliefs and in each other - is the reason they've been together for so long.
It's not about being religious, but it is about sharing similar values. Denzel and Pauletta are proof that if you prioritize the same principles, then you can stay together forever.
11 Goldie Hawn And Kurt Russell Say It's All About Communication
Like Oprah and Stedman, Goldie Hawn and partner Kurt Russell have been together for years but opted to stay unmarried. The couple has been together since 1983, a stunning 35 years, but they've never felt the need to define their relationship beyond their commitment to each other.
Hawn has said that marriage isn't important to her, but communication is essential.
One of the most important lessons she's learned is that you need to talk about everything with your partner, and it's okay if you don't agree on everything. She also says it's important to learn how to disagree and be okay with it. If you can do that, you're golden.
10 Hugh Jackman And Deborra-Lee Furness Say The Key Is Putting Each Other First
Hugh Jackman and his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, have been married for 22 years and Jackman is quick to say that his wife is the most important thing in his life.
Jackman has said that he's grateful that he married Furness before his fame really took off, because, by the time the spotlight was always on them, they had already formed a solid team.
Jackman says that the reason his marriage is still so strong is that he keeps his wife at the center of his world. One example he gave was that at awards shows, he always put his hand on his heart and makes eye contact with Furness when he gets onstage. And after the show, he won't see or talk to anyone until he's had a chance to see her.
9 Julia Roberts And Daniel Moder Say The Secret Is Lots Of Kisses!
America's sweetheart, Julia Roberts has nothing but love for her hubby, Daniel Moder. The happy couple celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary this year.
In a 2015 interview, Roberts was asked what the key to her long and happy marriage was: her answer was incredibly simple - kissing.
She didn't elaborate to the press, but she was adamant that lip action is what keeps her marriage happy and thriving.
Makes sense! While kissing isn't always as fun as what it can lead to, kissing provides a level of closeness that long-term couples sometimes start to ignore. So, if you want a healthy happy marriage, pucker up!
8 Neil Patrick Harris And David Burtka Say It's About Being Flexible
Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka along with their two adorable miracle twins, which they had via surrogate, make up the perfect Hollywood family.
If you've haven't ever checked out their epic photo shoots, which they do for pretty much every holiday, head on over to Instagram and prepare to be awed.
So what's the secret behind one of Hollywood's most amazing marriages? Harris has said that the key is being able to adjust your expectations.
If you aren't willing to change your expectations about what your marriage looks like, you'll feel dissatisfied and want to look for that satisfaction in other places.
7 Faith Hill And Tim McGraw Say The Secret Is Getting Their Alone Time
These country music legends have been going strong for over two decades. So, it makes sense that they have a lot to say about what it takes to make a relationship work in the long run.
Hill says that one thing that keeps her marriage going is making sure that she and McGraw get time to themselves when they need it. For two people whose schedules keep them apart a lot, this advice may seem counterintuitive, but Hill insists it's the key.
She says they each have their own daily rituals that they do separately and that they have separate spaces in their house where they can get away and find peace. When they're together, they savor every moment, but when they need space, neither of them is afraid to ask for it!
6 Ellen DeGeneres And Portia de Rossi Say The Key Is Being Best Friends
Ellen DeGeneres was one of Hollywood's first openly gay icons. When she came out on her show in the '90s it was a big deal. She's been a trailblazer for the LGBTQ community for a long time. So, when she met and fell in love with Portia de Rossi it seemed like a fairytale come true.
Ten years later, they're still going strong, despite what the tabloids have to say. What's their secret? Both DeGeneres and de Rossi have said that the reason their marriage is so strong is that they're best friends, and they always have been. The two have very similar, very goofy personalities and they love to play jokes on each other.
5 Lily Tomlin And Jane Wagner Say The Key Is Respect And Admiration
Though Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner have only been married for a few years, they've been together longer than any of the other couples on this list. The couple has now been together for over 45 years!
How have they done it? Tomlin has said that the thing that makes their relationship work is how much they respect and admire each other.
The two have been writing partners for as long as they've been together, so they obviously respect and admire each other's talent, and it carries into their marriage as well.
While working together and being married may make things tough for some couples, Tomlin and Wagner thrive on it.
4 Sharon And Ozzy Osbourne Say You Have To Learn From Your Mistakes
Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne's marriage has made headlines for years, mostly due to their crazy antics. But every once in a while, they make headlines for its strength and not its weakness.
Sharon and Ozzy have literally been through hell together in their almost 40-year relationship, and they've learned a lot on the journey. Sharon says that's the key to their marriage - making mistakes and learning from them.
No marriage is perfect because no partner is perfect. We all mess up. But when we do, we need to be willing to accept what went wrong and why, so we can make necessary changes. Sharon says that's exactly what she and Ozzy do, and that's why they're still together.
3 Jerry And Jessica Seinfeld Say That You Have To Be Very Careful With Your Words
Jerry Seinfeld must have something important to say about marriage given the fact that he's got a show called “Marriage Ref” where he arbitrates relationship disputes between couples. The show was inspired by a spat he and his wife had where he asked a friend to stay and play ref to help them through it.
Seinfeld says the most important piece of marriage advice he was ever given was that you need to be really careful about what you say to each other when things get heated. Mean words can scar.
The two have been together for 20 years.
2 Michael J. Fox And Tracy Pollan Say The Secret Is Being There When Times Get Tough
Unfortunately, Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan know what rough times look like. When the actor was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in the late '90s it was a devastating blow for both of them. Parkinson's is a degenerative disease, which meant that things would only get worse.
But Pollan says she didn't consider leaving even if things were about to get harder. They faced the adjustments together.
Fox jokes that he knew she was for real when she didn't run after his diagnosis.
1 Sting And Trudie Styler Say The Secret Is Closeness
Rock superstar Sting and his wife Trudie Styler have never been shy about what makes their marriage work. They are both practitioners of tantra, a meditative practice that emphasizes patience and closeness.
They value romantic time together, and always look for new things to try together. Carving out alone time strengthens their inner bond with one another.
Obviously, it's working out for them. The couple has been together for over 35 years!
