Julia Roberts and Danny Moder Prove How a Scandalous Start Can Lead to a 20-Year-Long Marriage

Not all love stories begin as fairy tales, and some of them can have a particularly complicated beginning. That would be the case with Julia Roberts and Danny Moder’s marriage, which started with a slight scandal. Genuine love, on the other hand, can withstand any barrier, and the couple has continually proven how inseparable they have remained throughout the years.

Bright Side values romances where love triumphs over all hurdles, which is why, today, we’ll walk you through Julia Roberts’ touching relationship with her lifetime companion.

Their first encounter dates back to early 2000.

In her early twenties, the actress was at the height of her career, fresh from massive box office smashes like Pretty Woman. While she was still on top of the world, Roberts dated several successful men, including Kiefer Sutherland and Liam Neeson.

When working on the 2001 film The Mexican with Brad Pitt, Julia befriended a gorgeous cameraman named Danny Moder. By that time, Julia was dating actor Benjamin Bratt while Danny was married to makeup artist Vera Steimberg.

Given the circumstances, they kept the relationship going as coworkers, but they left an everlasting mark on one other, “I could see how wonderful he was, but we were both in relationships, so we were just friends,” the actress confessed.

After a stormy start, Julia and Danny tied the knot.

There was quite a stir when Moder and Roberts began dating. Danny’s ex-wife, Vera, was hesitant to sign divorce papers as she was not ready to leave the marriage. Thus, Roberts tried to shame her into it by wearing a T-shirt with the words “A Low Vera,” hinting that she was pointing at Moder’s wife. However, in 2003, the actress clarified the gesture: “It was private. I stand by my T-shirt.”

The charge of having caused their divorce has “haunted” Julia for several years, however, she has consistently rejected any speculation about it. “He sorted his whole thing out, separate and apart from me. And I sorted my life out, separate and apart from him. I think that’s the only reason we fell in love with each other.”

Besides the rough beginning, Julia and Danny finally crowned their love on July 4, 2002, in a private ceremony held on Julia’s property in New Mexico.

They grew a large family.

Not long after their marriage, the happy couple settled down and started a family together. They welcomed twins Phinnaeus and Hazel in November 2004. Their third child, Henry, was born in June 2007.

Despite her fame, Roberts keeps her personal life private, not even allowing her children to use social media. “We try to protect our kids,” Julia claimed. “We just want to have our family life and not have that intruded upon.”

Julia and her husband’s love for one another mirrors in their children — “We have these 3 human beings who are just a complete reflection of the affection we have for each other.” They work because they genuinely appreciate and support one another, and despite having been together for a long time, the 2 prioritize their romance above else.

Julia and Danny make a great team at home and on set.

Julia and Moder can’t get enough of each other: through sharing their passion for film, the 2 can combine their personal and professional lives. Julia praised her husband for assisting her in strengthening her role in the film The Secret in Their Eyes, but the 2 have also worked together on several other projects.

“It was amazing. It was so great. He’s my favorite person on the planet, so I love spending time with him, and I love his work ethic. His point of view is really valuable to me,” Julia recalled about her experience with him on set.

Still going strong after 20 years of marriage.

The couple are still as much in love as they were when they first met, and Julia loves bragging about her undying love for her husband. “To this day, to this minute, he is just my favorite human.”

As time passes, their bond grows stronger. She states: “I’m more interested in what he has to say or his point of view just more than anybody. Really, we’re so lucky in that way. We just really, really like each other, and we just enjoy each other’s company.”

Despite their secrecy about speculating on their personal lives, Julia and Danny enjoy sharing glimpses of their happy marriage occasionally. This year marks the couple’s 20th wedding anniversary, and their relationship has never been stronger. When asked about the key to their long-lasting partnership, Julia replied, “Twenty years kissing Danny Moder,” she said. “That’s the secret. Never stop kissing.”

Do you fight for your feelings, or do you give up when you hit the first obstacle?