Helen Mirren Dishes On Her 25 Year Marriage To Taylor Hackford: 'It's Work'
By Kristin Myers on April 30, 2022 at 4:30 PM EDT
Updated on August 9, 2023 at 2:42 PM EDT
Dame Helen Mirren married director Taylor Hackford back in December 1997, so their official 25-year anniversary is still a little ways off yet. However, they were together for a decade before they decided to tie the knot!
The 76-year-old British actress was recently selected for the cover of PEOPLE’s 2022 Beautiful Issue and had no problem admitting that her husband of over two decades does not make her feel beautiful!
Dame Helen Mirren Says Taylor Hackford Doesn’t Make Her Feel Beautiful!
In an interview that’s all about beauty, “The Good Liar” actress was asked how her husband, the “An Officer and a Gentleman” director, makes her feel beautiful.
“Oh, he doesn’t,” Mirren replied, giving the candid honesty that she is well-known for. “I don’t think he ever makes me feel beautiful. It’s not necessary. That’s not what I love him for, honestly.”
The two met Hackford while she was auditioning for his movie “White Nights.” However, the Oscar-winning actress says he doesn’t give her any notes on her performances these days.
“You know, I believe in unconditional praise from one's loved ones,” she said. “I don't want any criticism. And I give him unconditional praise likewise — more or less.”
“We allow each other to do our own thing, and get on with it,” she added.
Dame Helen Mirren & Taylor Hackford Spent A LOT Of Time Together During The Pandemic!
In March 2020, pretty much every industry closed its doors at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Hollywood was no exception, although the two enjoyed the time that they had together.
“I've worked every year since I was 20. COVID was the first time in the whole of my life I've not worked for six months,” she explained.
However, she recognized that “So many people were suffering through that terrible, terrible time, but what was valuable for me was that I got to spend time with my husband and sit across the table from him every night for six months — which I've never done before — and not worry about or even think about work.”
The L’Oreal Paris spokesperson also revealed that she took up sewing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I've still got my mom's treadle sewing machine, that I still make things on, her sewing machine. I learned a love of fabrics from my mother,” Mirren explained. “I'm forever trying to make the perfect wrap skirt that you sort of just hook on and it falls perfectly.”
Dame Helen Mirren Says Hobbies Are Essential To A Healthy Marriage
Although she enjoyed the time that she got to spend with her husband during the lockdown, she recognizes that all couples need some time apart to focus on their own interests.
“A really important part of love is to maintain your own sense of identity,” she said. “In a way, that's the most important thing of all, to not subsume yourself into someone else, far from it. Be honestly and authentically who you are.”
She also said it was important to let your partner do the same and admitted that marriage is “work.”
“And it's very important to allow the person you love to be who they are — even if [sometimes] you don't like it very much,” she added. “You're constantly discovering, learning about the person you love, who suddenly, completely surprises you. You find depths of courage or patience or generosity or that you just didn't know were there.”
Unfortunately, Mirren and Hackford recently experienced a loss in the family. Hackford's son and Mirren's stepson passed away earlier this month. Mirren paid tribute to the “Star Wars” actor in a touching tribute on Instagram.
