Ben Stiller revealed how he won his wife, Christine Taylor, back after they were separated for three years. In 2017, they took a few years apart after 17 long years of marriage and welcoming their two children – Ella, 22, and Quinlin, 19 – but soon fell in love all again after a chance arrangement.
During the coronavirus pandemic, Ben moved in with Christine for the sake of their two children. In a new interview, the 59-year-old actor explained how spending a few years apart helped rekindle their relationship.
“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, how much I loved our family unit,” he said.
Speaking to The New York Times, the 59-year-old explained: “It was like three or four years that we weren’t together but we always were connected. In my mind, I never didn’t want us to be together.
“I don’t know where Christine was, you’d have to ask her, but COVID put us all together in the same house.” He went on to reveal they were “actually together” again after almost one year of living together.
Back in 2022, Ben told Esquire how the reconciliation was ‘unexpected’ but ‘wonderful’ He said: “We were separated and got back together and we’re happy about that.”
“It’s been really wonderful for all of us. Unexpected, and one of the things that came out of the pandemic.” He went on to explain how his views on marriage changed over the years and used an analogy using horseback riding.
The Severance director said: “A few years ago, I realized I don’t like horseback riding. If there’s an opportunity to go horseback riding, I’m probably not going to do it. Now, I like horses! I think they’re beautiful. I like petting them.
“I like watching people ride horses, I like watching my kids ride horses. I just don’t really love riding horses. And once you know that, it just saves a lot of energy.
“So, yeah, I think we have a respect for the ways that we’re similar and the ways we’re different. And I think accepting that, you can really appreciate someone more because you’re not trying to get them to change for you. Once you accept that, you save a lot of energy. “
When the couple first separated, Ben and Christine released a statement and said they would try to remain friends. “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,” they said.
“Our priority will continue to be raising our children as devoted parents and the closest of friends. We kindly ask that the media respect our privacy at this time.”
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