Their love story has lasted for over four decades, but the stamp in the passport has never appeared. The legendary actor has finally lifted the veil on this unusual decision.
Hollywood legends, the couple Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, whose love has lasted for 43 years, have never decided to marry officially. In an exclusive interview with The Wall Street Journal, the actor candidly shared for the first time that their decision to remain outside the bonds of marriage was made from the very beginning of their tumultuous romance – and surprisingly, it has never caused them any regrets.
As the 75-year-old Russell recalls, their paths first crossed during auditions for the film "The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band," when he was just 16 and she was 21. However, the real spark, the one that ignited the flame of their passion, flared much later – on the set of the film "Swing Shift" in 1983. Their first meeting was truly comical: Kurt, arriving at the auditions with the aftermath of a wild night, could not hide his admiration for Goldie, showering her with compliments about her stunning figure, and then boldly suggested teaching him to dance. But instead of dance lessons, they spent the entire night in lively conversations.
"By that time, we had both been through divorces; she had two small children – Oliver and Kate, and I had one, Boston. We immediately hit it off and decided, 'Let’s have fun until we get tired of it.' It’s been 43 years since then," the actor shared.
Their creative partnership blossomed on screen as well: they shone together in several films, including the cult comedy "Overboard" (1987), where they played the lead roles, and enchanted audiences in two installments of "The Christmas Chronicles" (2018 and 2020).
Why Did They Reject Marriage?
Even when their feelings deepened and their relationship grew into something incredibly strong, the star couple did not waver from their initial choice. They were convinced that a formal stamp in a passport would not bring anything new. Back in 2007, almost two decades ago, Goldie Hawn herself, in an interview with Women’s Day, sincerely explained why they saw "no reason for marriage." "We both have our own means of making a living; we are both financially independent. We raised our children wonderfully; they are amazing people. We did great, and we didn’t need to get married for that. I love waking up every day and seeing him next to me and knowing that I have a choice," Page Six quoted the actress.
The Secret of Their Long Love
Like Russell, Goldie Hawn has often shared her philosophy, explaining how their union thrives without official commitments. "If I were a bird and you left the cage door open, I probably would never fly out. But if you closed that door, for the sake of my freedom and independence, I would probably pluck all my feathers," she said with a smile. The actress also sees a deep secret to their enduring love in the fact that Kurt still remains "very attractive to her sexually." "Because sex is what brings people closer and strengthens the bond between them. People who have healthy sexual relationships usually live together much longer. But it’s not just about the act itself, but also about the warmth and intimacy it creates," Goldie emphasized.
This remarkable couple has a common heir – talented actor Wyatt Russell, who was born in 1986. In addition to him, they lovingly raised children from their previous marriages: Oliver and Kate Hudson (Hawn's children from musician Bill Hudson), as well as Boston Russell (Kurt’s son from actress Season Hubley). Interestingly, their adult children themselves oppose the idea of their parents suddenly deciding to marry. "We’re fine as it is," they say with a smile. And when pressed by journalists about the possibility of officially formalizing their relationship, Russell humorously retorts, "They try to marry us every five years, even though Goldie and I are about to turn four hundred soon."
Recently, on March 17, 2026, Goldie sweetly congratulated Kurt on his 75th birthday on social media: "Happy birthday, my eternal love. 43 birthdays together. How lucky we are!"
