Ben Stiller is sharing new insights into his marriage to Christine Taylor, revealing how their separation in 2017 ultimately brought them closer together.
In a candid interview with *The New York Times*, the actor and director discussed the impact of time apart
and how it helped him appreciate his family and the bond he shares with Taylor even more.
When asked about the separation, Stiller explained that the space allowed him to reflect on the relationship and understand what it truly meant to him.
“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 shared.
He went on to emphasize that during the four years they spent apart, they remained emotionally connected.
“In my mind, I never didn’t want us to be together,” he added, revealing that despite the distance, his commitment to their family never wavered.
Stiller and Taylor, who married in 2000 and share two children, daughter Ella, 22, and son Quinlin, 19, had been together for nearly two decades before their separation. The couple’s decision to part ways in 2017 was a difficult one, but Stiller now believes it gave them both the space needed for growth and reflection.
The pair reconciled during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that Stiller calls “unexpectedly wonderful.” Reflecting on their time apart and eventual reunion, Stiller explained that the pandemic played a pivotal role in their rekindled relationship. “COVID put us all together in the same house,” he recalled. While they spent nearly a year living under the same roof, it wasn’t until later that they truly reconnected. “It was almost a year of living in the same house before we were actually together again,” he said. The time apart allowed them to reassess their relationship and, ultimately, led to a stronger bond.
Stiller expressed deep gratitude for the reunion, acknowledging that few couples have the opportunity to reconcile after such a separation. “There’s nothing like that, when you come back. You have so much more appreciation for what you have, because we know we could not have it,” he said, adding that the experience made him value their marriage in a way he hadn’t before.
The actor had first revealed their reconciliation in February 2022, speaking to *Esquire* about how the separation and eventual reunion had been one of the positive outcomes of the pandemic. “We were separated and got back together and we’re happy about that. It’s been really wonderful for all of us,” he said at the time. “Unexpected, and one of the things that came out of the pandemic.”
Christine Taylor also shared her perspective on the couple’s separation and subsequent reunion. In a 2023 interview on *The Drew Barrymore Show*, she opened up about the reasons behind their split and the growth they both experienced during their time apart. Taylor admitted that their quick marriage, which followed a whirlwind romance, ultimately led to them “growing in different directions.” However, the separation was not something they took lightly. “We always stayed a family unit,” Taylor explained, describing how their focus remained on their children and maintaining a strong family dynamic, even during their time apart.
Taylor also reflected on the emotional journey that led to their separation, saying, “It was sort of like we were both at this impasse of ‘let’s figure out what’s best: What’s best for each other at this chapter in our lives?’” She acknowledged that this time apart allowed each of them to rediscover who they were as individuals, which contributed to their growth as a couple.
Now that they are back together, Taylor expressed that their shared history has given them a sense of freedom and comfort in their relationship. “We’re so good,” she said, noting that they both realize how much they’ve learned about themselves and each other. “Our history together provides a level of freedom and comfort,” she added, highlighting the strength and security they now feel as a couple.
Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor’s journey shows that sometimes, space and time apart can help couples rediscover what they truly value in each other. Their reconciliation is a testament to the power of reflection, growth, and the importance of family, proving that love and commitment can evolve in unexpected ways.
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