Ben Stiller, 59, recently opened up about his separation from wife Christine Taylor in an interview with The New York Times. The couple separated around 2017 but remained “connected” throughout their time apart.
Stiller explained that the brief separation allowed them to explore what their relationship was like when they weren’t together and how much he loved their family unit. Although their separation lasted about three to four years, Stiller says in his mind, he never didn’t want to be with Taylor.
The couple met in 1999 while Taylor auditioned for a show Stiller was directing and got married in 2000. After 17 years of marriage, they announced their separation, citing a desire to raise their children as devoted parents and closest friends.
However, COVID-19 brought them back together in the same house, where they spent almost a year before being physically together again. This experience allowed them to appreciate what they had more and understand that accepting their differences is key to their relationship.
Stiller believes that once you accept your partner’s differences, you save energy and can truly appreciate each other. In a 2022 interview with Esquire, he emphasized the importance of trust in a relationship, stating, “If you have that trust level with your partner, you know that me saying, ‘I don’t like doing that thing’ is not me saying, ‘I don’t like you.'”
Taylor has also spoken about their time apart, acknowledging that they grew in different directions and needed time to figure things out. The pandemic allowed them to have meaningful conversations without distractions.
Stiller and Taylor’s separation was a chance for them to re-evaluate their relationship and grow as individuals while still prioritizing their family unit.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/ben-stillers-years-long-separation-from-wife-made-marriage-stronger