The Relationship Rules These 26 Celebrity Couples Swear By to Stay Together

Mar. 15, 2025

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, Snoop and Shante Broadus, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban.Photo:Amy Sussman/Getty; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Amy Sussman/Getty; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Every marriage comes with its own set of challenges. Add add worldwide fame, frequent travel and constant demands on your time and attention, and that can be enough to strain even the strongest marriages, as many stars can attest.However, celebrities such asGoldie HawnandKurt Russell,Rob LoweandSheryl Berkoff LoweandNicole KidmanandKeith Urbanhave managed to make their relationships last for decades. Whether they attribute that to good sex or knowing when to walk away from arguments — or simply understanding that no outside factors can pull them apart — these Hollywood couples have managed to make their unions work while also balancing high-profile careers, thanks to some ground rules for their relationships.Check out these 26 celebrity couples on the relationship rules that keep them together.

Every marriage comes with its own set of challenges. Add add worldwide fame, frequent travel and constant demands on your time and attention, and that can be enough to strain even the strongest marriages, as many stars can attest.

However, celebrities such asGoldie HawnandKurt Russell,Rob LoweandSheryl Berkoff LoweandNicole KidmanandKeith Urbanhave managed to make their relationships last for decades. Whether they attribute that to good sex or knowing when to walk away from arguments — or simply understanding that no outside factors can pull them apart — these Hollywood couples have managed to make their unions work while also balancing high-profile careers, thanks to some ground rules for their relationships.

Check out these 26 celebrity couples on the relationship rules that keep them together.

01of 26Goldie Hawn and Kurt RussellGoldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.Amy Sussman/GettyGoldie Hawn and Kurt Russell are Hollywood royalty and the secret to their lasting 40-year plus relationship, according to her, is simple: great sex.“You have to have good sex,” she toldE! NewsatMindUP’s The Goldie Hawn Foundationcharity back in September.“Because sex is something that connects you and creates more belonging. People who have healthy sexual relationships usually last a lot longer," Hawn explained. “But it’s not just because of the act, it’s because of the warmth and the intimacy that it creates.”

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Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.Amy Sussman/Getty

Amy Sussman/Getty

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell are Hollywood royalty and the secret to their lasting 40-year plus relationship, according to her, is simple: great sex.

“You have to have good sex,” she toldE! NewsatMindUP’s The Goldie Hawn Foundationcharity back in September.

“Because sex is something that connects you and creates more belonging. People who have healthy sexual relationships usually last a lot longer,” Hawn explained. “But it’s not just because of the act, it’s because of the warmth and the intimacy that it creates.”

02of 26Ted Danson and Mary SteenburgenTed Danson and Mary Steenburgen.Mike Coppola/GettyMarried for 29 years,Ted DansonandMary Steenburgenrevealed that being honest, dividing up the duties and making up quickly after a fight is what keeps their union going strong.“Just tell the truth. The only time I get really angry with Mary is when I’m wrong,” Dansontold PEOPLE back in 2021in a joint interview with his wife. “But he’s wrong a lot,” she teased, to which Danson concurred, “I am. It’s only when you’re being defensive or fearful that you get angry.“During disagreements, Danson admitted he’s the first to apologize. (“But ‘stop being mad’ is usually the first five minutes of my apology,” he joked.)

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Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen

Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen.Mike Coppola/Getty

Mike Coppola/Getty

Married for 29 years,Ted DansonandMary Steenburgenrevealed that being honest, dividing up the duties and making up quickly after a fight is what keeps their union going strong.

“Just tell the truth. The only time I get really angry with Mary is when I’m wrong,” Dansontold PEOPLE back in 2021in a joint interview with his wife. “But he’s wrong a lot,” she teased, to which Danson concurred, “I am. It’s only when you’re being defensive or fearful that you get angry.”

During disagreements, Danson admitted he’s the first to apologize. (“But ‘stop being mad’ is usually the first five minutes of my apology,” he joked.)

03of 26Nicole Kidman and Keith UrbanKeith Urban and Nicole Kidman.Stewart Cook/ShutterstockNicole Kidman and Keith Urban have been together for 17 years, and the secret to their union is that each person keeps doing their part.“I think it’s knowing that you have to keep contributing to what we call the ‘us.’ You go, ‘Does this work for us?’” theBig Little Liesactresstold PEOPLE in 2018.“When you make an us, it’s yours together — that’s what you create,” she explained. “Nobody else has that. It’s just between the two of you.”

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Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman.Stewart Cook/Shutterstock

Stewart Cook/Shutterstock

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have been together for 17 years, and the secret to their union is that each person keeps doing their part.

“I think it’s knowing that you have to keep contributing to what we call the ‘us.’ You go, ‘Does this work for us?’” theBig Little Liesactresstold PEOPLE in 2018.

“When you make an us, it’s yours together — that’s what you create,” she explained. “Nobody else has that. It’s just between the two of you.”

04of 26Barbra Streisand and James BrolinJames Brolin and Barbra Streisand.SGranitz/WireImageBarbra StreisandandJames Brolinmay have gotten together when they werealready older— he was 56 and she was 54 — but that doesn’t mean their relationship didn’t need some fine-tuning.“I think everybody needs to be a negotiator,” Brolin told PEOPLE in a2022 cover story. “Everybody needs to have patience and know when to take a walk.““Being understanding where your rages and your fire comes from,” Brolin explained. “Knowing that they will calm down and you can negotiate. I don’t think anybody’s immune to that no matter how great lovers look over at that table, let’s say.”

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Barbra Streisand and James Brolin

James Brolin and Barbra Streisand.SGranitz/WireImage

Barbra StreisandandJames Brolinmay have gotten together when they werealready older— he was 56 and she was 54 — but that doesn’t mean their relationship didn’t need some fine-tuning.

“I think everybody needs to be a negotiator,” Brolin told PEOPLE in a2022 cover story. “Everybody needs to have patience and know when to take a walk.”

“Being understanding where your rages and your fire comes from,” Brolin explained. “Knowing that they will calm down and you can negotiate. I don’t think anybody’s immune to that no matter how great lovers look over at that table, let’s say.”

05of 26Robert Downey Jr. and Susan DowneyJohn Salangsang/ShutterstockMany successful celebrity couples have some version of the “two week rule,” in which they have a maximum amount of time they can go without seeing each other, despite their busy schedules. Susan Downey, who has been married to Robert Downey Jr. since 2005, explained how they used that as the foundation for their familyto PEOPLE.“We do have a two-week rule, which often feels too long, but we don’t go more than two weeks without seeing each other and the family being together,” Susan said. “You just have to have some basic things in place, and then you have to be willing to flow with the rest of it.”

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Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey

John Salangsang/Shutterstock

Many successful celebrity couples have some version of the “two week rule,” in which they have a maximum amount of time they can go without seeing each other, despite their busy schedules. Susan Downey, who has been married to Robert Downey Jr. since 2005, explained how they used that as the foundation for their familyto PEOPLE.

“We do have a two-week rule, which often feels too long, but we don’t go more than two weeks without seeing each other and the family being together,” Susan said. “You just have to have some basic things in place, and then you have to be willing to flow with the rest of it.”

06of 26Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher GuestChristopher Guest and Jamie Lee Curtis.Vince Bucci/GettyJamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Guest will be crossing the 40-year mark come December and just this past September, theHalloweenactress revealedone of the keysto their relationship is that “you don’t leave.““I’m sober for a long time, and we have a phrase in recovery: ‘If you stay on the bus, the scenery will change.’ And that’s marriage,” she toldEntertainment Tonight,before explaining how her marriage changes, even moment to moment.“It’s like, all of a sudden you literally want to hate each other and then the next day it’s a pretty sunny day and the dog does something cute or your child does something cute and you look at each other like, ‘Aww, gosh.’ And then you’re on another track,” she explained.“So I think perseverance, patience, gentleness — and a really good dose of hatred,” theFreaky Fridaystar joked.

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Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Guest

Christopher Guest and Jamie Lee Curtis.Vince Bucci/Getty

Vince Bucci/Getty

Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Guest will be crossing the 40-year mark come December and just this past September, theHalloweenactress revealedone of the keysto their relationship is that “you don’t leave.”

“I’m sober for a long time, and we have a phrase in recovery: ‘If you stay on the bus, the scenery will change.’ And that’s marriage,” she toldEntertainment Tonight,before explaining how her marriage changes, even moment to moment.

“It’s like, all of a sudden you literally want to hate each other and then the next day it’s a pretty sunny day and the dog does something cute or your child does something cute and you look at each other like, ‘Aww, gosh.’ And then you’re on another track,” she explained.

“So I think perseverance, patience, gentleness — and a really good dose of hatred,” theFreaky Fridaystar joked.

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Michael Kovac/Getty

“It was our 20th [anniversary] in May, and him and I have never really been like anniversary people or birthday people,” hetold PEOPLEat the One House Toast to the Emmys event back in September. “It’s funny, we used to always laugh that neither of us knew it was our anniversary until Facebook would tell us.”

The reason why holidays are not a big thing in their relationship is because the couple “love[s] to celebrate each other every day.”

“You know, we love to just take a little weekend trip here and there,” the interior designer told PEOPLE. “We did just go to Ireland, and actually, around our anniversary,we were in Asia. So, yeah, I wouldn’t say there was one specific thing we did for our anniversary, but we’ve always been the type of people. We celebrate each other every day.”

08of 26Adam Brody and Leighton MeesterAdam Brody and Leighton Meester.Noam Galai/GettyForAdam Brody, choosing to marryLeighton Meesteris the best decision he’s ever made.As he toldHoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hagerwhile visiting their show last month,Brody, who’s been married to theGossip Girlalum for 10 years, said the secret to a good union begins with picking well.Asked what the secret sauce to his long-lasting marriage was, Brody answered, “Oh, pick someone good. Be lucky and be in love with someone who’s great and then just kind of listen to them.”He continued, “If you’re with someone great, you’re on third base. Not that it doesn’t take sacrifice and humility and you have to grow together and you have to be willing to grow, because you’re not going to be able to stay 100 percent right where you are. But if you’re with someone wonderful, I think you’re on third base.”

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Adam Brody and Leighton Meester

Adam Brody and Leighton Meester.Noam Galai/Getty

Noam Galai/Getty

ForAdam Brody, choosing to marryLeighton Meesteris the best decision he’s ever made.

As he toldHoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hagerwhile visiting their show last month,Brody, who’s been married to theGossip Girlalum for 10 years, said the secret to a good union begins with picking well.

Asked what the secret sauce to his long-lasting marriage was, Brody answered, “Oh, pick someone good. Be lucky and be in love with someone who’s great and then just kind of listen to them.”

He continued, “If you’re with someone great, you’re on third base. Not that it doesn’t take sacrifice and humility and you have to grow together and you have to be willing to grow, because you’re not going to be able to stay 100 percent right where you are. But if you’re with someone wonderful, I think you’re on third base.”

09of 26Jerry and Jessica SeinfeldJessica and Jerry Seinfeld.Todd WilliamsonJerryandJessica Seinfeld’s relationship dates back to 1998. The pair, who have been married since December 1999, says their relationship works because their communication is strong.“We’re all civilians first of all, and every relationship and certainly Hollywood marriages — when people are traveling — and he travels all the time, are challenging when you don’t spend time together and you don’t work on the relationship,” she said asthey hosted the Good + Foundation’s 2019 Bashat Victorian Gardens in Central Park. “He’s the most incredible communicator and so he’s better at this relationship than I am.““Also that we are not codependent. We both have a very strong work ethic and a huge passion for our work,” she later added.

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Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld

Jessica and Jerry Seinfeld.Todd Williamson

Todd Williamson

JerryandJessica Seinfeld’s relationship dates back to 1998. The pair, who have been married since December 1999, says their relationship works because their communication is strong.

“We’re all civilians first of all, and every relationship and certainly Hollywood marriages — when people are traveling — and he travels all the time, are challenging when you don’t spend time together and you don’t work on the relationship,” she said asthey hosted the Good + Foundation’s 2019 Bashat Victorian Gardens in Central Park. “He’s the most incredible communicator and so he’s better at this relationship than I am.”

“Also that we are not codependent. We both have a very strong work ethic and a huge passion for our work,” she later added.

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Ree Drummond and Ladd Drummond

Ree Drummond Instagram

“We don’t go to sleep in each other’s arms—we like our space—but our feet always touch,”she told PEOPLE. “I know that if our feet touch before we go to sleep at night, we’re not going to bed upset or angry. If we’ve had a little disagreement, as long as our feet touch, it’s all good.”

11of 26Elton John and David FurnishSonia Recchia/GettyThe couple of more than 30 years have one very simple rule that keeps them connected: “never go to bed on an argument,“Furnish told PEOPLE.Even if they have to stay up until 3:00 a.m. to hash out their disagreement, he said, “We always make sure that before we turn in at night, if there’s any kind of hostility in the air or, ‘I’m not speaking to you. Really pissed me off,’ we don’t go to sleep on it. We don’t carry it over the next day.”

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Elton John and David Furnish

Sonia Recchia/Getty

The couple of more than 30 years have one very simple rule that keeps them connected: “never go to bed on an argument,“Furnish told PEOPLE.

Even if they have to stay up until 3:00 a.m. to hash out their disagreement, he said, “We always make sure that before we turn in at night, if there’s any kind of hostility in the air or, ‘I’m not speaking to you. Really pissed me off,’ we don’t go to sleep on it. We don’t carry it over the next day.”

12of 26Blake Lively and Ryan ReynoldsCindy Ord/GettyThe “two week rule” can be harder to follow when you’re both working actors and have to be on location to film a movie. So Blake Lively has said that she and Ryan Reynolds agreed, even before they were married, to never work at the same time, to avoid long periods spent apart.“When Ryan and I got together, we made a rule not to work at the same time, so that we could always prioritize our personal life,“she toldEntertainment Tonight.“That takes working really hard when we’re not. Just like, financial planning and sustaining that — it takes balance.”

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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

Cindy Ord/Getty

The “two week rule” can be harder to follow when you’re both working actors and have to be on location to film a movie. So Blake Lively has said that she and Ryan Reynolds agreed, even before they were married, to never work at the same time, to avoid long periods spent apart.

“When Ryan and I got together, we made a rule not to work at the same time, so that we could always prioritize our personal life,“she toldEntertainment Tonight.“That takes working really hard when we’re not. Just like, financial planning and sustaining that — it takes balance.”

13of 26Marlo Thomas and Phil DonahuePhil Donahue and Marlo Thomas.Chelsea Lauren/Variety/Penske Media via GettyMarlo ThomasandPhil Donahuewere together for 40 years before the beloved talk show hostdied on Aug. 18, 2024at 88 years old.In a 2020 cover story forAARP the Magazine,the couple opened up about some of the things that made their relationship work.“Through the years you learn that everything is not that big a deal, and this isn’t going to break us up no matter what, so you get used to saying, ‘Ok, let’s just talk it out’,” Thomas said.“The secret of good communication? Screaming helps,” joked Donahue. “At least then you know if whether the person you’re screaming at is listening. Then go in the other room and count to ten.”He adds, “A little humor certainly in a marriage goes a long way.”

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Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue

Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas.Chelsea Lauren/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

Chelsea Lauren/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

Marlo ThomasandPhil Donahuewere together for 40 years before the beloved talk show hostdied on Aug. 18, 2024at 88 years old.

In a 2020 cover story forAARP the Magazine,the couple opened up about some of the things that made their relationship work.

“Through the years you learn that everything is not that big a deal, and this isn’t going to break us up no matter what, so you get used to saying, ‘Ok, let’s just talk it out’,” Thomas said.

“The secret of good communication? Screaming helps,” joked Donahue. “At least then you know if whether the person you’re screaming at is listening. Then go in the other room and count to ten.”

He adds, “A little humor certainly in a marriage goes a long way.”

14of 26Rob Lowe and Sheryl Berkoff LoweRob Lowe and Sheryl Berkoff.Gonzalo Marroquin/GettyLike Brody,Rob Loweagrees that marrying the right person makes all the difference.While on the iHeartPodcastTable for Two with Bruce Bozzilast year, theWest Wingactor shared thatbeing best friendswith wifeSherylhas sustained their 33-year-long marriage."[Marriage] is hard anywhere, it is not just Hollywood – it’s everywhere,” he told host Bruce Bozzi. “Sheryl was and is my best friend. So if you marry for anything other than the fact that is your best friend, you’re at a disadvantage from the jump, because that will sustain when the other stuff ebbs and flows.“Secondly, Lowe also said keeping the flame strong was also a key factor.“I do believe you need the heat for sure,” he shared. “If you don’t have the heat – and that’s a chemical thing – I mean I still have it with Sheryl, you gotta keep the heat.“He continued: “That comes and goes too, there are times when you are like, ‘Nah.’ And then there are times when you are wild for somebody.”

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Rob Lowe and Sheryl Berkoff Lowe

Rob Lowe and Sheryl Berkoff.Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty

Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty

Like Brody,Rob Loweagrees that marrying the right person makes all the difference.

While on the iHeartPodcastTable for Two with Bruce Bozzilast year, theWest Wingactor shared thatbeing best friendswith wifeSherylhas sustained their 33-year-long marriage.

“[Marriage] is hard anywhere, it is not just Hollywood – it’s everywhere,” he told host Bruce Bozzi. “Sheryl was and is my best friend. So if you marry for anything other than the fact that is your best friend, you’re at a disadvantage from the jump, because that will sustain when the other stuff ebbs and flows.”

Secondly, Lowe also said keeping the flame strong was also a key factor.

“I do believe you need the heat for sure,” he shared. “If you don’t have the heat – and that’s a chemical thing – I mean I still have it with Sheryl, you gotta keep the heat.”

He continued: “That comes and goes too, there are times when you are like, ‘Nah.’ And then there are times when you are wild for somebody.”

15of 26Alicia Keys and Swizz BeatzAlicia Keys and Swizz Beatz.Jon Kopaloff/GettyQuality time keepsAlicia KeysandSwizz Beatz’s 14-year union on solid ground.“Really carving out the time for each other,” shetold theWall Street Journalin a March 2023 interview. “We all struggle with it. There’s so much to balance. There’s so much to do. And you find yourself running and doing the things for school, for the kids, and doing all the things for your lists, for all the dreams you have in your career, and what you have to do next.““That time together with you and your partner is so priceless,” she continued. “And to carve out that time and to make that important, as important as those daily things, I think it really pours back into the relationship.““You remember why you are in love, you remember why you just like each other, what’s interesting about each other,” she concluded.

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Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz.Jon Kopaloff/Getty

Quality time keepsAlicia KeysandSwizz Beatz’s 14-year union on solid ground.

“Really carving out the time for each other,” shetold theWall Street Journalin a March 2023 interview. “We all struggle with it. There’s so much to balance. There’s so much to do. And you find yourself running and doing the things for school, for the kids, and doing all the things for your lists, for all the dreams you have in your career, and what you have to do next.”

“That time together with you and your partner is so priceless,” she continued. “And to carve out that time and to make that important, as important as those daily things, I think it really pours back into the relationship.”

“You remember why you are in love, you remember why you just like each other, what’s interesting about each other,” she concluded.

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Snoop Dogg and Shante Broadus

Snoop Dogg and Shante Broadus.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

While speaking about his long-lasting marriage, the “Gin and Juice” rappertold PEOPLEone secret to a long marriage is to purposefully make your partner happy.

“Find out what your companion loves the most and concentrate on doing it the most. That’s real love,” he said.

17of 26Tim McGraw and Faith HillTim McGraw and Faith Hill.Jason Merritt/GettyForTim McGrawandFaith Hill, it’s all about being equal decision-makers in the relationship.Asked what drives their relationship, McGraw jokingly responded, “Well the car I drive, the relationship she drives,” while onToday, back in 2017.He added, “It’s pretty even. We make decisions about things in different ways, but we always talk about it before we do it. And you know, having three daughters, we sort of acquiesced to mom quite a bit on those decisions.”And when it comes to parsing through arguments, McGraw revealed they' haven’t been afraid of facing conflict head-on in their now 27-year marriage. The key is being able to get back on the same page.“First and foremost you should be able to argue and you should be able to have discussions or yelling matches or whatever,” he said.“But I think the key is,” he continued, “You can go into an argument and your first thought shouldn’t always be ‘Should I be in this relationship?’ That should be the last thought you have in an argument.”

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Tim McGraw and Faith Hill

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.Jason Merritt/Getty

Jason Merritt/Getty

ForTim McGrawandFaith Hill, it’s all about being equal decision-makers in the relationship.

Asked what drives their relationship, McGraw jokingly responded, “Well the car I drive, the relationship she drives,” while onToday, back in 2017.

He added, “It’s pretty even. We make decisions about things in different ways, but we always talk about it before we do it. And you know, having three daughters, we sort of acquiesced to mom quite a bit on those decisions.”

And when it comes to parsing through arguments, McGraw revealed they' haven’t been afraid of facing conflict head-on in their now 27-year marriage. The key is being able to get back on the same page.

“First and foremost you should be able to argue and you should be able to have discussions or yelling matches or whatever,” he said.

“But I think the key is,” he continued, “You can go into an argument and your first thought shouldn’t always be ‘Should I be in this relationship?’ That should be the last thought you have in an argument.”

18of 26Denzel Washington and Pauletta WashingtonDenzel Washington and Pauletta Washington.George Pimentel/FilmMagicPauletta Washingtontold PEOPLE that there are no shortcuts when it comes to maintaining her 41-year marriage toDenzel Washington. Just love.“We work at it. It’s work,” she said. “There are a lot of prayers for strength for staying in a forgiveness mode and both parts, mine and his. … But it’s the basic love that we have for each other.”

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Denzel Washington and Pauletta Washington

Denzel Washington and Pauletta Washington.George Pimentel/FilmMagic

George Pimentel/FilmMagic

Pauletta Washingtontold PEOPLE that there are no shortcuts when it comes to maintaining her 41-year marriage toDenzel Washington. Just love.

“We work at it. It’s work,” she said. “There are a lot of prayers for strength for staying in a forgiveness mode and both parts, mine and his. … But it’s the basic love that we have for each other.”

19of 26Luke Bryan and Caroline BoyerCaroline Boyer and Luke Bryan.Taylor Hill/WireImageForLuke Bryanand his wifeCaroline Boyer, nearly two decades together has taught them to pick and choose their battles.“There’s some ‘opposites attract’ that goes on,” Bryantold PEOPLEin 2021. “I think it makes us drive each other crazy, but then it pulls us together, too. We’ve gotten better at understanding when we need to sit down and work through something. And we’ve also gotten better at realizing when we just need to forgive each other and move on, and we’re not gonna let something hang us up for a couple of days. Life’s too short!“Caroline agreed, saying, “Just like everyone, we have our arguments, bad days, and disagreements. However, we always talk out our problems. Marriage isn’t always a fairy tale! It’s a battle that both people have to be willing to fight. Each day whether we are blissfully happy or not, we fight for each other.”

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Luke Bryan and Caroline Boyer

Caroline Boyer and Luke Bryan.Taylor Hill/WireImage

Taylor Hill/WireImage

ForLuke Bryanand his wifeCaroline Boyer, nearly two decades together has taught them to pick and choose their battles.

“There’s some ‘opposites attract’ that goes on,” Bryantold PEOPLEin 2021. “I think it makes us drive each other crazy, but then it pulls us together, too. We’ve gotten better at understanding when we need to sit down and work through something. And we’ve also gotten better at realizing when we just need to forgive each other and move on, and we’re not gonna let something hang us up for a couple of days. Life’s too short!”

Caroline agreed, saying, “Just like everyone, we have our arguments, bad days, and disagreements. However, we always talk out our problems. Marriage isn’t always a fairy tale! It’s a battle that both people have to be willing to fight. Each day whether we are blissfully happy or not, we fight for each other.”

20of 26Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael DouglasCatherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas.Dave Benett/GettyCatherine Zeta-JonestoldWSJ. Magazinethat having “a lot of fun” with husband of 20+ yearsMichael Douglaswas the main thing that kept them strong, despite a significant age gap and untraditional jobs.“My husband is 25 years older than me; that’s not a secret. With any relationship, it wouldn’t be normal if there weren’t any ups and downs,” she explained. “The constant is love and respect. We’ve never, ever lost our sense of humor, and we enjoy each other’s company.“She continued, “My husband and I spend a lot of time together because, unlike so many couples, we’ve never had a 9-to-5 job where it’s consistent. We’re either on or we’re off. I’m really working 16 hours a day, or I’m not. He’s doing the same, or not. … So we’ve had, in our relationship, huge amounts of time where we’ve been just us. We lived on the island of Bermuda for 12 years bringing up our kids. We respect each other’s space, and our humor is just long-lasting.”

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Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas.Dave Benett/Getty

Dave Benett/Getty

Catherine Zeta-JonestoldWSJ. Magazinethat having “a lot of fun” with husband of 20+ yearsMichael Douglaswas the main thing that kept them strong, despite a significant age gap and untraditional jobs.

“My husband is 25 years older than me; that’s not a secret. With any relationship, it wouldn’t be normal if there weren’t any ups and downs,” she explained. “The constant is love and respect. We’ve never, ever lost our sense of humor, and we enjoy each other’s company.”

She continued, “My husband and I spend a lot of time together because, unlike so many couples, we’ve never had a 9-to-5 job where it’s consistent. We’re either on or we’re off. I’m really working 16 hours a day, or I’m not. He’s doing the same, or not. … So we’ve had, in our relationship, huge amounts of time where we’ve been just us. We lived on the island of Bermuda for 12 years bringing up our kids. We respect each other’s space, and our humor is just long-lasting.”

21of 26Neil Patrick Harris and David BurtkaNeil Patrick Harris and David Burtka.Eugene Gologursky/Getty ImagesThe secret toNeil Patrick HarrisandDavid Burtka’s 20-year relationship is quite simple.“I think the secret to a relationship is just perseverance, you know?” theHow I Met Your Motherstar toldEntertainment Tonight. “It’s not always pretty … but he’s pretty, so it makes it easy,” the actor joked.

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Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka

Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka.Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images

Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images

The secret toNeil Patrick HarrisandDavid Burtka’s 20-year relationship is quite simple.

“I think the secret to a relationship is just perseverance, you know?” theHow I Met Your Motherstar toldEntertainment Tonight. “It’s not always pretty … but he’s pretty, so it makes it easy,” the actor joked.

22of 26Pink and Carey HartPink and Carey Hart.Dave Benett/Getty"For us, the answer is there’s no quit button. Unless we find one. Right now, we don’t have one,“Pinktold Extrain 2021, of her relationship with husbandCarey Hart.“But it’s also couples' counseling. Learning how to speak the same language, ‘cause we don’t speak the same language.“Pink and Hart met back in 2001 and began dating the same year. And while their relationship was on and off, the couple has managed to always find their way back to each other and have been married for 18 years.

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Pink and Carey Hart

Pink and Carey Hart.Dave Benett/Getty

“For us, the answer is there’s no quit button. Unless we find one. Right now, we don’t have one,“Pinktold Extrain 2021, of her relationship with husbandCarey Hart.

“But it’s also couples’ counseling. Learning how to speak the same language, ‘cause we don’t speak the same language.”

Pink and Hart met back in 2001 and began dating the same year. And while their relationship was on and off, the couple has managed to always find their way back to each other and have been married for 18 years.

23of 26Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn CarterPresident Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn.David Goldman/APIn one of the longest marriages in American history,Jimmy Carterand his wifeRosalynnwere together for a staggering 77 years before she died in 2023. The key? Giving each other space while also embracing their commonalities.“We’ve survived this long together because first of all, we give each other plenty of space to do our own thing,” President Carter toldGood Morning Americain 2021.The relationship worked, he added, in part because they"share as much as [they] possibly can” when it comes to their interests — like making fly fishing around the world “a major part of [their] recreation.““We’re always looking to do things or find things we can do together, like fly fishing and bird watching and just going out to the pond, catch a fish,” Rosalynn added at the time.

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Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter

President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn.David Goldman/AP

David Goldman/AP

In one of the longest marriages in American history,Jimmy Carterand his wifeRosalynnwere together for a staggering 77 years before she died in 2023. The key? Giving each other space while also embracing their commonalities.

“We’ve survived this long together because first of all, we give each other plenty of space to do our own thing,” President Carter toldGood Morning Americain 2021.

The relationship worked, he added, in part because they"share as much as [they] possibly can” when it comes to their interests — like making fly fishing around the world “a major part of [their] recreation.”

“We’re always looking to do things or find things we can do together, like fly fishing and bird watching and just going out to the pond, catch a fish,” Rosalynn added at the time.

24of 26Salma Hayek and François-Henri PinaultSalma Hayek Pinault and Francois-Henri Pinault.Taylor Hill/WireImageOn an episode ofRed Table Talkback in 2021,Salma Hayekrevealed that the secret to her marriage with business mogul François-Henri Pinault is to not point the finger in the midst of a disagreement.“When there is conflict, we put all the energy in solving the problem — never finding who to blame or, ‘You should have done this or that.’ No,” the actress said. “All our energy goes into, ‘How do we solve this?‘Because of that Hayek said, “We’venever said anything nastyto each other,” she added. “No resentment.”

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Salma Hayek and François-Henri Pinault

Salma Hayek Pinault and Francois-Henri Pinault.Taylor Hill/WireImage

On an episode ofRed Table Talkback in 2021,Salma Hayekrevealed that the secret to her marriage with business mogul François-Henri Pinault is to not point the finger in the midst of a disagreement.

“When there is conflict, we put all the energy in solving the problem — never finding who to blame or, ‘You should have done this or that.’ No,” the actress said. “All our energy goes into, ‘How do we solve this?’

Because of that Hayek said, “We’venever said anything nastyto each other,” she added. “No resentment.”

25of 26Kathy Hilton and Rick HiltonKathy hilton and Rick hilton.Rodin Eckenroth/WireImageIf distance makes the heart grow fonder,KathyandRick Hiltonknow nothing about it. Parents to Paris and Nicky Hilton have been married for 43 years but have never spent too much time apart, despite their busy schedules.“We have not been away from each other for two weeks in 43 years of marriage,” theReal Housewives of Beverly Hillsstartold PEOPLE.She also subscribes to the idea of not going to bed mad at your partner saying, “I don’t think you go to bed without saying, ‘I love you,’ and giving each other a kiss and never in a fight or anything,” she continued. “If you have had a disagreement, you always make up before you go to sleep and keep a little mystery and always keep it exciting and fun.”

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Kathy Hilton and Rick Hilton

Kathy hilton and Rick hilton.Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage

Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage

If distance makes the heart grow fonder,KathyandRick Hiltonknow nothing about it. Parents to Paris and Nicky Hilton have been married for 43 years but have never spent too much time apart, despite their busy schedules.

“We have not been away from each other for two weeks in 43 years of marriage,” theReal Housewives of Beverly Hillsstartold PEOPLE.

She also subscribes to the idea of not going to bed mad at your partner saying, “I don’t think you go to bed without saying, ‘I love you,’ and giving each other a kiss and never in a fight or anything,” she continued. “If you have had a disagreement, you always make up before you go to sleep and keep a little mystery and always keep it exciting and fun.”

26of 26Jessica Alba and Cash WarrenCash Warren and Jessica Alba.Stefanie Keenan/VF24/WireImageForJessica AlbaandCash Warren, it’s all about quality time and keeping things in perspective.“It’s something you really have to make a choice to do,” she told PEOPLE about prioritizing her 16-year marriage to Cash Warren. “You have to really find time to make time for each other.“She continued, “Going through the motions of the day-to-day is what it is, but it’s important to just know that we have to be a priority, and taking those moments to see each other and have a giggle and not be on the phone and just actually connect.“Alba also revealed her marriage keeps things in perspective, admitting, “Anytime we ebb or flow, we just look around and it’s like, ‘Actually, at my worst, I’m still better off with you.““You have to look up and say, ‘Would my life be better if we weren’t together?’ And every time, it’s, ‘No.’ We’re friends, you know?”

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Jessica Alba and Cash Warren

Cash Warren and Jessica Alba.Stefanie Keenan/VF24/WireImage

Stefanie Keenan/VF24/WireImage

ForJessica AlbaandCash Warren, it’s all about quality time and keeping things in perspective.

“It’s something you really have to make a choice to do,” she told PEOPLE about prioritizing her 16-year marriage to Cash Warren. “You have to really find time to make time for each other.”

She continued, “Going through the motions of the day-to-day is what it is, but it’s important to just know that we have to be a priority, and taking those moments to see each other and have a giggle and not be on the phone and just actually connect.”

Alba also revealed her marriage keeps things in perspective, admitting, “Anytime we ebb or flow, we just look around and it’s like, ‘Actually, at my worst, I’m still better off with you.”

“You have to look up and say, ‘Would my life be better if we weren’t together?’ And every time, it’s, ‘No.’ We’re friends, you know?”

source: people.com