Why Matthew McConaughey Says His Marriage to Camila Alves Requires “Maintenance”
According to Matthew McConaughey, a marriage shouldn't always be fine. The Oscar winner really stated that it is "humanly impractical" for a married pair to remain in the honeymoon stage indefinitely.
"The honeymoon is all on hope," on the On Purpose podcast's January 12 episode, he gave presenter Jay Shetty an explanation. "Honeymoon's only in the perfection stage. It's only in the up in the air."
Additionally, Matthew believes it is "unfair" to constantly be "seeking perfection" in a relationship. He married Camila Alves McConaughey in 2012 after six years of dating.
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"That's a tough nut to handle when you project that on someone," the 56-year-old disclosed. "Neither one of you can live up to it."
He laughed as he went on, "And this is not a popular statement with my wife, but—maybe I'm too practical about love, maybe I'm not romantic enough about it—I don't see how the honeymoon period lasts forever."
Rather, Matthew believes that a marriage should be like a "30-watt bulb," with the illumination being "dim."
"Not as bright, but it'll last longer and it's more realistic for you and her," he continued. "It's more human and it's still lovely."
How, then, have he and 42-year-old Camila survived this long? The Magic Mike alum claims that love alone is not enough for a good relationship.
"You vow to love each other in say, a marriage for instance—and it's through sickness and health until death," Matthew stated. "My love's not in question, that doesn't mean it doesn't take maintenance."
To demonstrate that he doesn't take their marriage for granted, he frequently does "little things" for Camila, with whom he shares children Levi, 17, Vida, 15, and Livingston, 12.
"It can be a thought and a choice you make," When making his morning tea, Matthew always pours Camila an extra cup, he revealed. "Was that work? No. Is that delay gratification for the relationship? Yes."