Actress Sarah Jessica Parker gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Carrie Bradshaw on the immensely popular show, Sex and the City. In addition to her acting prowess, it seems that Parker possesses remarkable writing talent, both on screen and off.
To commemorate her 26th anniversary with actor Matthew Broderick, Parker took to Instagram to express her affectionate sentiments for her husband. The duo exchanged vows on May 19, 1997, and since then, their marriage has remained a source of pure happiness. Unlike many couples in Hollywood who part ways within a few years or even months, Parker and Broderick have defied the odds, celebrating over 25 years of love together.
Prior to her relationship with Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker was involved in a high-profile romance with actor Robert Downey Jr. Their courtship lasted seven years before coming to an end in 1991.
Reflecting on that period, Downey recalled, “I had my struggles with substance abuse, and it was incongruent with Sarah Jessica’s character. She offered me solace and understanding, tirelessly attempting to help me. She was deeply disappointed when I failed to overcome my challenges… I was deeply in love with Sarah Jessica, but love alone was not enough.” During the early ’90s, Parker’s brothers, Toby and Pippin, co-founded a Broadway theater company called ‘Naked Angels.’ Broderick became involved with the company, which eventually led to his introduction to Parker. As fellow Broadway enthusiasts, they both pursued acting dreams from a humble perspective, harboring no aspirations of fame or fortune.
In a 2013 interview, Parker expressed, “Matthew and I come from a different era. When we were young, all we desired was to be dedicated actors. The concept of fame or wealth was never part of our aspirations. We simply wanted to work in theater and be surrounded by those talented individuals we admired wholeheartedly.” Months after their initial meeting in 1992, Broderick mustered the courage to invite Parker on a date. Recalling that moment, Parker recounted a charming detail from a 1996 interview, saying, “He left a delightful and self-effacing message on the answering machine. He introduced himself as ‘Matthew Broderick.’ Last names were essential.”
Their first outing together was a trip to the cinema, an occasion etched in Broderick’s memory. He shared, “I distinctly remember our first encounter… I can still visualize her walking towards me down the street. It’s quite extraordinary because I don’t recall such vivid memories of most people upon first meeting them. But that moment remains crystal clear.”
In a recent interview, Parker revealed that she recognized her desire to marry Broderick early on in their relationship. She humorously confessed, “I realized I was talking too much. I thought to myself, ‘I’m in love. When will he propose to me?’ Oh, dear, I apologize for my impatience even now.”
In 1997, the couple astounded their 100 wedding guests with an unexpected twist. While attendees believed they were attending a regular event, they were actually present at Parker and Broderick’s wedding ceremony at a synagogue in the Lower East Side. Parker defied tradition further by donning a black wedding gown.
“When it came to a wedding dress, I never gave it much thought. Not once. I never daydreamed about it,” Parker admitted in a 2018 interview with People. “At some point, I simply hoped he would ask me to marry him. I can’t recall exactly when or why this feeling arose; it happened quite early in our relationship.”
Reports indicate that it was Matthew Broderick who played a pivotal role in encouraging Sarah Jessica Parker to accept the iconic role of Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City. Years later, when Parker accepted her second Golden Globe, she acknowledged Broderick’s influence in her speech, expressing gratitude for his support and mentioning the opportunity to work alongside talented actors such as Chris Noth, John Slattery, and John Corbett.
Despite being offered various opportunities to appear on the show alongside his wife, Broderick declined them all, choosing to focus on his own endeavors.
In 2002, after five years of marriage, Parker and Broderick joyfully welcomed their first child together, a son named James Wilkie Broderick. Reflecting on the experience, Parker shared, “If I could relive a single moment in my life, it would be the birth of my children, without a doubt. It’s an indescribable feeling to be present with just my husband and this child. It’s sheer euphoria.”
Then, in the summer of 2009, the couple expanded their family further through the birth of their twin daughters, Tabitha Hodge Broderick and Marion Loretta Elwell Broderick, with the help of a surrogate. Parker candidly revealed their journey to parenthood, expressing their persistent efforts to conceive naturally. She stated, “We tried and tried and tried to get pregnant through conventional means, but it was not meant to be. If I had the chance, I would give birth as many times as possible. I treasure every milestone, the joys as well as the challenges.”
The couple chose to keep the birth of their twins and the preceding events private, as Parker emphasized that the feelings about the woman carrying their children were something she could only share with her husband.
Living grounded lives, Parker and Broderick actively engage in various tasks themselves. In a 2010 interview, Parker revealed, “We painted our patio furniture ourselves… I prepare my children’s food myself. We assembled their high chairs ourselves; we take care of many things independently! We do our own grocery shopping, go to the market ourselves. And you know what? I do my own laundry.”
As they celebrate their 26th wedding anniversary, Parker took to Instagram to commemorate this significant milestone. Sharing a photo of a champagne cork, she penned a heartfelt caption for her husband, expressing her love and reminiscing about their cherished celebrations and shared moments throughout the years.
While the couple prefers not to divulge details about their marriage publicly, Broderick offered some insights in 2016 on maintaining a happy union. He advised, “Listen to her. It really helps. And surprise her with little presents from time to time. Above all, be kind to her.”
This heartfelt sentiment and their shared celebrations with champagne exemplify the deep care the couple holds for one another and their commitment to creating lasting memories together.
