Actor Ben Stiller recently opened up about how reconnecting with his wife, Christine Taylor, after a long separation made them appreciate their marriage even more.
In an exclusive interview with The New York Times, published on January 11, 2025, Ben discussed what it was like to live apart from his wife of nearly two decades, following their separation in 2017.
Reflecting on their time apart, the Severance director shared,
“When we separated, it was just having space to see what our relationship was, what my life felt like when we weren’t in that relationship… It was like three or four years that we weren’t together but we always were connected”.
He went on to reveal how he and Christine ultimately reunited, crediting an unexpected catalyst,
“COVID put us all together in the same house… It was almost a year of living in the same house before we were actually together again”.
Ben Stiller & his wife Christine Taylor were so sweet together at #TIFF at the premiere of Ben's new film Nutcrackers pic.twitter.com/AJUp0ePY1W
— HELLO! Canada (@HelloCanada) September 6, 2024
Ben Stiller Expresses His Gratitude For Reconnecting With Christine Taylor
The Zoolander star also shared his deep gratitude for having been able to work things out with Taylor and give their marriage a second chance. Reflecting on their journey, he said,
“I’m so grateful for it, and I think not that many people do come back together when they separate… When you come back, you have so much more appreciation for what you have, because we know we could not have it”.
Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor first met in 1999 while filming a TV pilot called Heat Vision and Jack. The two soon started dating, and the following summer, they tied the knot in Hawaii.
However, after two children and 17 years of marriage, the couple announced their separation in May 2017 through a joint statement to PEOPLE magazine, which read,
“With tremendous love and respect for each other, and the 18 years we spent together as a couple, we have made the decision to separate. Our priority will continue to be raising our children as devoted parents and the closest of friends…”
As revealed by Ben himself, the two reconciled during the global pandemic and have been together ever since.
Fans Praise The Couple For Rekindling Their Relationship
The online community has expressed overwhelming support and admiration for Ben and Christine’s efforts to reconcile. Some of the heartfelt comments read,
“I’ll always love the idea of ‘second chance romance’ because when done correctly it includes growth, self-reflection and an active decision to choose each other again”.
“Sometimes taking a step back makes you appreciate people more❤️ ❤️”
Ben and Christine’s heartwarming journey is proof that love can thrive even after life’s toughest challenges, proving that sometimes, second chances are the best ones.