10 celebrity couples who stayed married

In modern times the institution of marriage has come under serious stress. The skeptics would even argue that theentire institution of marriage is in decline. They use the growing trend of divorce and separation to support their argument. And to a certain extent they are right. The worst publicists of marriage are Hollywood celebrities. Every day there is at least one column in the tabloids about celebrity divorces. And who can forget Kim Kardashian and NBA star Kris Humphries’ infamous 72-day marriage?

However, there are some celebrity couples who still have hope and marriage can survive in the glitzy celebrity world. Here are the ten celebrity couples who have stayed married even when everyone around them is dealing with divorces and breakups.

• Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman

Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman first met in1953. Although Joanne had only a limited impression of ‘The Color of Money’ at the time, Newman was immediately attracted to the then 22-year-old Georgia actress. However, as they started hanging out more, they developed a deep friendship that soon turned into an extramarital affair when Newman was married to Jackie Witt. After much persuasion and drama, Newman divorced his wife, Jackie, and married Woodward on February 2, 1958 in Las Vegas. In Newman’s favour, he had a happy and successful second marriage. The couple’s marriage lasted 50 years until Newman’s death of lung cancer on September 26, 2008.

• Michael J. Fox und Tracy Pollan

Like many Hollywood couples, Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan met on the set of a television show. However, since both were involved in separate relationships, they did not date for about two years. They met again in 1987 when they worked together on the film “Bright Lights, Big City” and began dating. When filming wrapped, they vacationed together and married in less than a year. They credit the success of their marriage to their decision to keep it to themselves and away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi. The couple have four children and have dealt with various ups and downs, including Fox’s battle with Parkinson’s disease, which he was diagnosed with in 1991.

• Jada Pinkett Smith und Will Smith

Jada and Will met in 1995 when Jada auditioned for the role of Will’s girlfriend on the popular TV show ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel Air’ And over time she realized that the lanky boy had grown into a handsome boy and began to to meet. Almost five years after they first met, they had a first date that included a trip to Mexico. Will proposed in late 1997 and on New Year’s Eve to tie the knot in front of 100 guests at Cloisters Mansion in Baltimore, Jada’s hometown. And as we all know, rest is history.

• Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos met in 1995 while filming the soap opera All My Children. Mark auditioned for a role while Kelly was already a regular on the show. However, it wasn’t on his mind to question her as he was really focused on getting the job and besides he felt that she was way out of his league. After getting a role on the show, they got to know each other and it escalated quickly and then on. The couple married in Las Vegas on January 5, 1996 and are now the proud parents of Michael, 15, Lola, 11, and Joaquin, 10. Kelly owes the longevity of their marriage to strong friendships and lots of sex.

• Iman and David Bowie

The rock stars dating models is a common theme. However, staying married for more than 20 years is not that common. It was love at first sight for the famous British musician. However, his bride-to-be was not convinced. Back then, the Somali supermodel wasn’t ready for a relationship and definitely not ready for a relationship with a guy like him. However, they soon fell in love and David even named the children when they met on the first night. They married in a private ceremony in Lausanne on April 24, 1992. The wedding was later celebrated on June 6 in Florence. The couple have one daughter, Alexandria Zahra Jones, born August 15, 2000.

• Tom Hanks und Rita Wilson

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson first met on the set of ABC sitcom Bosom Buddies nearly four years before he fell in love on the sets of the 1985 film Volunteers. However, at the time, Tom was married to his college sweetheart, Samantha Lewes. But, as Tom puts it, the chemistry was just too strong to ignore. The couple married three years later and have remained strong despite multiple rumors of separation and divorce. This year (2015) Rita underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction for breast cancer. The couple have two sons, Chester, 24, and 19-year-old Truman.

• Danny DeVito und Rhea Perlman

Actor-director Danny DeVito met actress RheaPerlman on January 17, 1971. The “Cheers” actress had seen a friend in the single performance of the play “The Shrinking Bride,” which also featured DeVito. And about two weeks later, they had moved in together. About 11 years later, they married on January 28, 1982 and became the proud parents of three children: Lucy Chet DeVito, Grace Fan DeVito, and Jacob Daniel DeVito. Their marriage hit a major stumbling block in October 2012 after they announced their separation. However, by March 2013, they had settled their differences and are on track to extend their 30+ year marriage.

• Denzel Washington und Pauletta Pearson Washington

Denzel Washington and Pauletta Pearson Washington met while filming a TV movie. Wilma in 1977, based on the life of legendThe African American athlete Wilma Rudolph. After rejecting him twice, Pauletta Pearson finally married Washington on June 25, 1983. Like many other married couples, they had to deal with rumors of separation in 2013 after Washington allegedly cheated on his wife. However, they are still together and their family includes four children.

• Kevin Bacon und Kyra Sedgwick

Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick began dating in the 80’s after meeting on the sets of Lemon Sky and married on September 4, 1988. The couple have two children, Travis Sedgwick Bacon ( born June 23, 1989) and Sosie Ruth Bacon ( born March 15, 1992). In an interview, Sedgwick attributed the success of their marriage to their never-ending passion for each other, and they took plenty of action under the covers.

• Faith Hill und Tim McGraw

Faith and Tim met on the Auto Ignition tour in 1996. They married after the tour ended on October 6, 1996 in Rayville, Louisiana. The secret of their marriage might lie in their family rule of not spending more than three consecutive days together. Incidentally, her family also includes three daughters – Gracie Katherine McGraw (born 1997), Maggie Elizabeth McGraw (born 1998) and Audrey Caroline McGraw (born 2001).