Couples who waited more than a decade to tie the knot

Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez first crossed paths in 2016 when she was employed at a luxury fashion store in Madrid. Together, they have built a family with five children. Although they lived in Saudi Arabia in 2023, where unmarried couples cannot cohabit, they chose to wait. In August 2025, after nine years together, they finally married, sharing a publicized ceremony that made headlines worldwide.

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes met on the set of The Place Beyond the Pines in 2012. The couple welcomed two daughters and maintained a private relationship. They confirmed their marriage ten years after meeting, highlighting that personal milestones do not require public announcements. Mendes once referred to Gosling affectionately as “my husband,” signaling their long-term commitment.

Tina Turner met Erwin Bach in 1985, and though he proposed four years later, Turner hesitated due to past marriages. She eventually agreed to marry 28 years after they met, holding their wedding in 2013 at their estate in Zurich, Switzerland. Their marriage lasted until Turner’s passing in 2023, reflecting decades of enduring love and partnership.

Michelle Yeoh and Jean Todt met in 2004 and became engaged within a month, but they did not marry until almost 20 years later. Their wedding on 27 July 2023 celebrated 6,992 days together, demonstrating patience and a long-term commitment while maintaining humor and perspective throughout their engagement.

Josh Hartnett and Tamsin Egerton met on the set of The Lovers in 2013. Due to distance he lived in New York and she in London the couple waited ten years to marry. They finally tied the knot in November 2021 and have since expanded their family, showing that love and timing can coexist over long distances.

RuPaul and Georges LeBar met in 1994 at a New York club and lived very different lives. They chose to marry only in 2017, 23 years after becoming a couple, influenced in part by political circumstances. Their story illustrates how personal and external factors can shape the timing of marriage.

Amy Adams and Darren Le Gallo initially met in 2001, though their romantic relationship did not begin until the following year. They became engaged in 2008, welcomed a daughter in 2010, and eventually married in 2015. Adams cited her desire to avoid the spotlight as a reason for waiting 14 years before tying the knot.

George Takei met Brad Altman in the 1980s. Takei was not publicly out at the time, so their relationship remained private. They waited 20 years before publicly marrying in 2008, reflecting the impact of personal and societal circumstances on marriage timing.

Robin Thicke met April Love Geary in 2014. They were engaged in 2018, the same year they welcomed their first child. Ten years after meeting, Thicke proposed again, and they celebrated their marriage with a private ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, highlighting the flexibility in personal timelines.

Lily Tomlin met Jane Wagner in 1971 and fell in love almost immediately. Due to legal restrictions on same-sex marriage in California, they waited 42 years before marrying in 2013. Their story is an example of patience and perseverance in the face of social and legal barriers.

Broadcaster Robin Roberts met Amber Laign on a blind date in 2005. They faced significant challenges, including personal health issues, before marrying 18 years later in September 2023. Their wedding celebrated resilience and commitment over nearly two decades.

Don Cheadle met Bridgid Coulter in 1997 while working on Rosewood. They waited 24 years to marry, finally exchanging vows in a private backyard ceremony in 2021. Cheadle describes the wedding as a personal and intimate moment, emphasizing their long-standing love.

Téa Leoni and Tim Daly met while co-starring in Madam Secretary in 2014. After keeping their romance private for a year, they waited over ten years to marry in July 2025, with a family-only ceremony. Their story highlights discretion and patience in long-term relationships.

Joy Behar met Steve Janowitz in 1982 and got engaged in 2009. Despite a 27-year relationship and initial hesitation, they married in 2011. Behar cited legal recognition of same-sex marriage and family considerations as reasons for the delay.

Bo Derek and John Corbett met in 2003. Marriage was not a priority initially, but in 2020, they decided to marry privately. After keeping their union low-key for a year, they confirmed it publicly, showing that timing in love can be flexible and intentional.