They've been a couple for 40 years, which is proof enough that Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell have a strong relationship. And while the couple have been asked in interviews about the secret to their lengthy relationship, they've also been asked many times why they never got married. In a new interview, Hawn explained how both actors' views on marriage were shaped by their previous relationships and that they wanted to approach the one they share differently. Read on to find out what the 77-year-old star said is the main reason why she and Russell never have—and never will—officially tie the knot.
RELATED: Sandra Bullock's Ex Admitted to Having Affairs With Multiple Women: "It's Part of Life."
Hawn didn't want to get divorced again.
In a new interview with CNN, Chris Wallace asked Hawn why she and Russell never got married. "Why should we get married? Isn't that a better question?" Hawn responded.
Pressed for an answer, the 77-year-old explained, "Because we had been married. And because when it doesn't work out, it ends up to be big business. Somebody has to own something. It's always ugly. Somebody has to actually take a look and say, how many, how many divorces are fun? How many divorces actually don't cost money? How many divorces make you even hate the person more than you did before? How many divorces have hurt children?"
Wallace pointed out that she and Russell have been together 40 years, so they likely wouldn't get divorced. "Well, how did you know that then?" Hawn countered.
The First Wives Club star posted a clip from the interview on Instagram and captioned it, "I get asked the darndest things! (Love you Chris)" with a laughing emoji.
She was married twice before.
DFree / ShutterstockHawn had been married twice before beginning her relationship with Russell. She was married to actor and director Gus Trikonis from 1969 to 1976, though they'd separated a few years earlier. From 1976 to 1982, Hawn was married to singer and actor Bill Hudson. They welcomed two children together, actors Kate and Oliver Hudson.
As for Russell, he was married to actor Season Hubley from 1979 to 1983. They share a son, Boston Russell.
Russell and Hawn began dating in 1983 and have been together ever since. They welcomed their son, Wyatt Russell, in 1986.
For more celebrity news delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
She also likes feeling like she's choosing her relationship.
Featureflash Photo Agency / ShutterstockIn her interview with Wallace, Hawn also shared that being unwed makes her feel like she's consciously choosing to continue her relationship.
"I like the idea that I can wake up in the morning and make decisions every day if I want to be here," she said.
The Private Benjamin star continued, "Relationships are hard. They're not always easy. There's all kinds of hurdles that we go through. There's things that we believe in, things that we don't believe in, [things] we agree on. So I think, you know, ultimately staying independent with independent thinking is important, so you can hold on to yourself, and you can actually have that feeling."
RELATED: Cher Started Dating Warren Beatty at 16 After He Almost Hit Her With His Car.
Hawn and Russell have shared their reservations about marriage before.
While appearing on the UK talk show Loose Women in 2015, Hawn similarly explained her and Russell's desire to remain committed but not married also has to do with the financial issues that arise during a divorce.
"We've been married before, didn't work. So why do it again?" Hawn said. "Marriage ends up being a business deal, because at the end of a marriage, no matter how long or short it is, somebody owes somebody money. I was on the short end of the stick on that one … It's ridiculous to base your relationship on money, and money can destroy people."
In November 2020, Russell and Hawn said in a joint interview on Today that there was a scenario in which they would have decided to walk down the aisle. Russell said that toward the beginning of their relationship, "We said if this is ever an issue, if the kids feel we need to do this, then we'll get married." Hawn added, "They didn't want us to get married."
