Rebecca Gibney has revealed the secret behind her long and loving marriage is friendship, not fireworks.
The Australian actress talks in this week's issue of Stellar that her 22 years with husband Richard Bell have been filled with support and comfort.
“You have to have an open line of communication, honesty – and really be willing to answer difficult questions and discuss difficult things,” the 58-year-old said.
'Richard has now gone through menopause with me and stayed with me. I was able to express what I was going through. He's always been my best friend.'
She went on to explain that because the couple found love “later in life,” when they were in their 30s, they knew what they wanted from a relationship.
Rebecca Gibney (pictured) has revealed the secret behind her long and loving marriage is friendship, not fireworks
“You realize it's not about the fireworks and stuff. We definitely had that, but when we started it we both knew we wanted the long-term goal,” she said.
“You know, maybe the romance is waning, but compromise is important too. You have to be able to take a step back and go, sometimes it's better to be nice than to be right? Get rid of your ego and your pride.
'This argument, will it still matter in five minutes, five years, fifty years? Probably not. So, you know, take your foot off the gas pedal.”
Rebecca and production designer Richard married in 2001 and share a teenage son, Zachary Edison Bell, 19.
The Australian actress says in this week's issue of Stellar that her 22 years with husband Richard Bell have been filled with support and comfort. Both shown
The star couple paid tribute to her family at Christmas in 2016.
“Everything I want for Christmas I already have. A family I love with all my heart,” she wrote.
“A husband I have loved for almost seventeen years and still adore without question today.”
She continued, “A son who is kind, funny, smart, and loving (did I mention I was kind?). My health has been great for the most part (aside from a reminder that I'm not as young as I used to be!).”
'A beautiful house lent to us by beautiful people. Old friends that I cherish and new ones that feel like home. A life blessed in more ways than one.”
Rebecca and production designer Richard married in 2001 and share a teenage son, Zachary Edison Bell, 19. Pictured in 2002