Numbers Matter: Science Revealed the Ideal Age Gap for Relationship

Some people say that age is just a number when it comes to love and relationships. Yet society seems to believe that there should be a limit to the years that separate 2 lovers, and researchers even found the perfect gap that increases the chances of the longevity of the couple. Either way, we think that love, devotion, and kindness are what matter the most in any relationship, but it is also interesting to see what research says when it comes to the perfect age gap.

The ’’rule of 7’’

Since the topic of what should be an acceptable age gap between 2 partners is subjective, and the discussions can go on forever, society has come up with a rule to define a boundary. This half-your-age-plus-seven rule is supposed to determine the acceptable minimum age for a dating partner.

So according to this equation, if you are 30 years old, dating someone who is 22 would be acceptable, yet a 21-year-old would be considered too young for you.

Yet this guideline may not really make sense because, based on it, the older we get it, it seems that wider age gaps become acceptable. For example, according to this equation, it is okay for a 60-year-old to date a 38-year-old even if their age gap is 22 years. Yet, the 8-year gap between a 28-year-old and a 20-year-old is not acceptable.

Also, it seems that time doesn’t agree with this equation. For example, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones’ 25-year gap was not acceptable when they first got married in 2000, because he was 55 and she was 30. Yet now, in 2022, he’s 77 and she’s 52, and it seems that their difference fits into this rule.

What a study found

A study involving 3,000 people was conducted by Emory University, and it has found that the bigger the age gap, the higher the risk of breaking up.
In fact, the survey showed that
— a couple with a 5-year gap has an 18% higher chance of splitting than those who are the same age
— a couple with a 10-year gap has a 39% higher chance of splitting than those who are the same age
— a couple with a 20-year gap has a 95% higher chance of splitting than those who are the same age

And to back up this study, some of the most recent breakups that come to mind are Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin who have a 22-year gap, or Cher and her boyfriend, who is 40 years her junior, who split after 6 years.

And if we look at the relationships of one of Hollywood’s most famous stars, Leonardo DiCaprio, who tends to date women who are much younger than him, we notice that his romances don’t last in the long run.
The actor recently broke up with his girlfriend Camila Morrone, who is 22 years younger than him. Their relationship lasted 4 years.
Among his previous relationships, we can also mention model Nina Agdal, 17 years his junior, and model Bar Rafaeli, 10 years his junior, and these relationships didn’t stand the test of time either.

The ideal age-gap

Therefore, according to this study, minimizing the age gap is the way to go if we are looking for an enduring romance. And the numbers have shown that a 1-year difference is an ideal gap in order for a relationship to survive, because these couples only have a 3% likelihood of calling it quits.

Some famous couples prove this theory to be accurate like Mark Zuckerberg, born in 1984, and his wife Priscilla Chan, born in 1985, who have been married for 10 years now.
Or Kelly Ripa, born in 1970, and husband Mark Consuelos, born in 1971, who are still going strong after 26 years together.

So if we look at Leonardo DiCaprio, who was born in 1974, his ideal partner shouldn’t be born earlier than 1973 or later than 1975. So based on this study, Angelina Jolie or Drew Barrymore, both born in 1975 or model Tyra Banks born in 1973, are all single stars who have an optimal age difference with DiCaprio that might help the relationship last.

Of course, age is not the only thing that can influence relationship. Daily habits also play an important role in being happy. And therapists suggest how they can help you make your relationship stronger.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet’s bond has been a beacon of genuine friendship in Hollywood for over two decades. Their camaraderie began on the set of “Titanic” in 1996, where they portrayed the iconic roles of Jack and Rose. Over the years, they’ve supported each other through personal and professional highs and lows, with DiCaprio even walking Winslet down the aisle at her wedding in 2012. Their mutual respect and admiration have only grown stronger, with both actors emphasizing the platonic nature of their relationship.