Celeb marriages: more vulnerable than ours?

J. Lo and Mark Anthony, Heidi Klum and Seal, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis…it seems every time you turn around there is another celebrity break-up/divorce making the headlines.

It would seem that it is much more difficult to maintain a successful marriage amidst the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, but is that really true?

According to sources, the divorce rate among first marriages is 40%. The same rate among celebrity marriages is higher than 50%.

So there would seem to be actual data to back up the assertion that celebrities have a tougher time of it. Once you consider that, the next obvious question is why?  

What puts Hollywood marriages at such extraordinary risk, and does it have to be that way?

After all, for every celebrity divorce that makes the headlines, there are celebrity marriages that work. So divorce is not a given in Hollywood, but it certainly seems to be more of a possibility.  

The most likely reason for celebrity marriage problems is the lifestyle that most celebrities lead. They are frequently working on location, spending days, weeks, even months, away from their significant other.

And they are constantly finding themselves surrounded with a phalanx of beautiful people 

Often, doing publicity for a movie or TV show means hitting the party circuit, which puts a celebrity in an enforced social setting with other attractive people. Being human, that necessarily opens the door to temptation and often, even for people with a seemingly strong, committed marriage, that temptation can become too much.

Along with these circumstances, you also need to factor in that even though they are participating in a very public lifestyle, many celebrities are, in fact, very insecure. They go into the business of acting to get the approval they feel they are lacking in their everyday life. And where there is insecurity, there are likely to be other character flaws as well.

All of which adds up to a situation where maintaining a strong, committed relationship can be difficult

This doesn’t mean it is impossible, but it can have more pitfalls than the average, ordinary marriage would face. And if the two individuals who make up the marital partnership aren’t strong emotionally, it can lead to trouble.

From the outside looking in, most of us would assume that with all the money and glamour that goes with celebrity, it should be easy to have a relationship. Most celebrities don’t have to worry about keeping a roof over their head, food on the table and clothes on their backs, so what is there to stress over?

But having a lot materially does not mean that you are rich emotionally too.

A successful marriage requires some measure of selflessness

Each partner must be willing and able to put his or her own needs aside for the good of the marriage. When you are professionally involved in a walk of life that is geared around the individual, it makes it that much more difficult to make your emotional life about someone else. In short, marriage isn’t easy and when it’s coupled with celebrity, it gets that much tougher.

Don't miss out! Subscribe to our free Entertainment News Newsletter.

Email: