The romantic lover on screen who was ready to commit to his lady love wasn't the same off-screen... until he met one woman who changed his life and views.
Hugh Grant has never failed to charm us with his good looks and charisma on-screen as well as off-screen. But there is only one woman who has the same effect on the actor who is known for the romantic hero roles he's played in movies. Anna Eberstein managed to do something that no other woman has been able to do — make him believe in marriage. That's why she's now his wife.
Though it is unsure how the 39-year-old television producer and retail director from Sweden and the Notting Hill actor met, the two hit it off and were soon in a long-term relationship. Marriage wasn't meant to be in the picture... at least initially. But time with her was going to change his belief in the institution, even if he didn't know it then. In fact, in 2015, the now 59-year-old told People that he was “not really a believer in marriage," despite being with her for a couple of years already. “I’ve seen very few good examples, maybe five, in my life, but I think otherwise it’s a recipe for mutual misery,” he said at the time.
But as time passed, he'd done a complete 180-degree turn. Seven years and three children later, the day that no one expected from the actor arrived — his wedding. May 25, 2018, was a memorable day for the couple.
Deciding that it was long overdue, the then-57-year-old took the next step in his relationship with Eberstein and tied the knot in a simple and private ceremony. “It was a very small affair, that’s all,” The Bridget Jones' Diary star said to radio presenter Chris Evans on the Virgin Radio Breakfast Show, according to Independent UK. “It looked like a small affair, just a few friends and family," said an onlooker, according to The Sun. "They both looked delighted, smiling at passers-by and laughing with the children. It was obviously a lovely day for all involved."
Since then, Grant's been so overjoyed being married to Eberstein that he wishes he'd done it sooner. “It’s really nice, I can’t pretend it isn’t,” he told Today when asked about life as a newlywed, according to People. “I should have done it before. I’m just lucky. I’m lucky. I’ve got a great wife. I love her.” And this love he has for her and being a father certainly made him admit that his initial notion of marriage "was just plain wrong. I was wrong. And children, you know. I used to roll my eyes. People would say, ‘Oh Hugh you don’t understand it’, but they were right," he said. “It was very nice getting married. It was another thing I put off too many decades. Very nice. Very nice being married.”
But what many might not know is that Eberstein too, didn't believe that marriage was essential for a good relationship. That is until she was with the BAFTA-winning actor. "My wife agrees with me that marriage is a pretty preposterous social construct," he told USA Today. "But when you've got three children, it's a nice thing to do."
However, there's one more reason he decided to go through with it. He hated that at airports, he'd have to be separated from her. "I didn't like going through immigration into countries where they'd say, 'Everyone with a Grant passport, over here, and all the others through there.' She went through with the nannies. That seemed all wrong," he said.
As for fatherhood, he loves it, he told People. “It was the nicest thing that’s ever happened to me... but it happens to be true. It’s just lovely to have all that love around. Suddenly you love someone more than yourself. It’s unheard of in my case and they love you and it’s all enchanting.” Well, being a family man certainly seems to suit the actor and we couldn't be happier for him and his loved ones!
References:
https://people.com/movies/why-hugh-grant-will-never-get-married/
https://people.com/movies/hugh-grant-opens-up-about-marrying-at-57-i-should-have-done-it-before/
