Kimberly Williams-Paisley shares simple philosophy that keeps marriage strong
The actress credits patience and commitment as the foundation of their long-lasting relationship
Kimberly Williams-Paisley is opening up about what has helped sustain her long-running marriage to country star Brad Paisley, revealing that the foundation of their relationship comes down to a simple philosophy: don’t leave.
The Father of the Bride actress, 54, spoke with Fox News Digital about her 23-year marriage to Paisley, 53, saying she was recently inspired by actress Jamie Lee Curtis’ advice on lasting relationships.
“I heard Jamie Lee Curtis say recently, the secret is ‘Don’t leave.’ I thought that was actually brilliant,” Williams-Paisley said. “Yeah, just know there’s gonna be ups and downs and don’t give up. That’s our secret.”
The couple, who married in 2003 and share two sons, William “Huck” Huckleberry, 19, and Jasper, 17, also make a point of prioritizing quality time together despite increasingly busy schedules.
“We find time, we have to be deliberate about it,” she explained. “There’s times when we’re busier and times when we’re not. And right now I’m busier, and he’s about to start a tour this summer, which will make him busy. But when we have the downtime, we really make the most of it.”
Williams-Paisley also shared a glimpse into a recent anniversary celebration, revealing that the country singer marked their 23rd wedding anniversary in March with a heartfelt gesture.
“He wrote me a letter that was really sweet, and that was a surprise, because he hadn’t written me a romantic letter in a long time, and it meant a lot to me,” she said.
The actress has previously reflected on the couple’s unconventional beginnings, including their “surprise wedding,” where guests only learned at the rehearsal dinner that the ceremony itself was the main event.
She has also joked about the early spark between them, noting that Paisley once developed a crush on her while watching Father of the Bride years before they ever met in person.
Now more than two decades later, Williams-Paisley says their relationship continues to thrive not on perfection, but persistence, time together, and a shared willingness to stay committed through life’s changes.