
Celebrities aren’t known to have the longest lasting relationships, and it always seems like a miracle if they’re together for more than five years.
But even if their love doesn’t turn out to be endless, their love stories certainly turn out to be timeless — and a thing that millions of people look up to and dream about.
Actually, this even applies to the passionately dysfunctional couples out there.
Whether it’s for passion, or true love, these couples have something that so many of us want. You know, minus the breakups and murders that might have been involved.
Beyonce and Jay Z
Here we, of course, have the Queen Bey and Jay Z. While some of us might want Jay-Z to become Beyonce's Jay-X after hearing Beyonce's Lemonade album, there's something very admirable about how hard they work at their relationship. They've known each other through music since the 90s, and have been an item for over a decade. Somehow, they've made it through divorce rumors, cheating, a long-awaited marriage, a baby, and all of the high-profile musical fame they've had for all of these years and are still going strong!
What we love: Their persistence. So many couples will give up on each other over a small argument, but Bey and Jay have kept strong and so far are staying that way!
Michelle and Barack Obama
Our leading couple comes out on top even in romance! I think we all fell in love with their relationship dynamic as soon as we saw them fist bump for the first time.
In 1989, Michelle originally was assigned as Barack's mentor at a law firm, where he stood out as a top legal student, interning at a law firm in his first year. Initially, Michelle turned down his date requests, since she felt it would be tacky. But the flirtation was still there, and she eventually gave into his charm. They had both studied at Harvard and had so much in common — it was a match made in romantic and professional heaven!
What we love: Their team spirit. Even in the most stressful times, they've supported each other with fist bumps, hugs, smiles, and genuinely care about each other and their family. To top it off, they complement each other so well, it's hard not to admire their love as well as the way they can be professional and silly together!
Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka
These two first saw each other on the streets of New York City (9th Avenue between 44th and 45th Streets, to be exact), according to Burtka. But they weren't officially introduced or seen as potential love-candidates for each other until they just so happened to meet through a mutual friend. Burtka had quickly turned the smooth Harris to a stammering nervous guy with a huge crush. In Harris' words: "I was always around when he was around, hoping the stars would align ... I just stammered around him. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. There's something almost kinetic about him and his being."
What we love: Other than them having the fantasy NYC romance story, they seem to be so natural together. Like two puzzle pieces that fit perfectly. They have a beautiful family, and AWESOME Halloween costumes every year! I can't get over it!
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward love story
Having lasted for 50 years, there's no way that this love story could go untold. They met on the Broadway stages of New York, working in a dramatic play back in the 1950s. But they didn't get together until later in the decade, in Hollywood, where they started to secretly live together while filming The Long, Hot Summer. Within a decade, Woodward had "given up" her career for him, but Newman didn't want that, so he started directing films "for her" so they could both do what they loved with whom they loved, despite the press breathing down their necks. As one would guess from a 50-year relationship, it was not without its hardships, but they stood together the whole time.
What we love: Fifty. Flipping. Years of dedication and love! And their chemistry on-screen? To die for!
Prince William and Kate Middleton
These two met before university, since they ran in the same crowds, but didn't start dating until some time in college. William had fled to St. Andrews to avoid the paparazzi and try to live as normally as possible while attending university. Kate was brought up in an "ordinary" family and regarded as one of (if not the) prettiest girls in school, and at some point, William worked up the courage to ask her to hang out with his group of friends, which led to them taking classes together, and eventually dating. Then engaged. Then married. And here they are.
What we love: It's a storybook romance! LITERALLY. With a handsome prince, and Kate has often been called something of a modern Cinderella story. This is fantasy-fuel, people!
Sid and Nancy
Were they perfect? Hell no. That wouldn’t be punk. That wouldn’t be metal. They were obsessed with each other pretty much as soon as they met through a mutual friendship with another band. This is at least part of the reason why Sid ultimately left/got kicked out of The Sex Pistols. He was addicted to drugs and Nancy, just as Nancy was addicted to drugs and Sid. It was a possessive relationship, to the point that Nancy actually gave Sid two padlocks to wear around his neck, to represent his belonging to her. Supposedly, they even had some sort of suicide pact so they would die together. This suicide pact of theirs took an even more awful twist when Sid was accused of murdering Nancy (to be fair, people still speculate whether this was what really happened). A mere three months after Nancy passed, Sid died too, of an overdose. This love was EXTREMELY dysfunctional but intense.
What we love: The intense passion. Someone you want to spend your life with and couldn’t imagine being without, even for a second. That feeling of belonging to each other …
But seriously, if you want to die with someone, please don’t take it so literally, and just, you know, hope for something like The Notebook! Don't force it! Seriously, they’re iconic but, SERIOUSLY (can’t stress this enough) if your partner physically hurts you, even a little, leave them. No kidding. Also, forget the suicide pact. This aint no Romeo and Juliet play with curtains at the end, okay? When you’re dead, you’re dead!
But yeah, they seemed to have a lot of fun.
Sonny and Cher
They were known as a great duo of a band, and an iconic couple in the 1970s. They, quite literally, made sweet, sweet music together (“I Got You Babe”) and came in our living room weekly with The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. They met at a diner before Cher had ever considered herself a singer, but Sonny saw something in her that he had to have. Sonny idolized Cher like a "golden goose." Unfortunately, this was part of what pushed her away. Nonetheless, Cher even admitted that they likely would have stayed together if not for his tight grip on her.
What we love: How much they CHERished each other. Get it? We want that guy that looks at us and sees all the great things, treats us right, and helps us to fulfill our purpose. Minus the negative stuff that occurred behind the scenes and ultimately lead to their divorce, of course.
Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn
This one is probably going to spark mixed feelings. Some might call this a relationship, others might call it an affair since Spencer Tracy had been married to someone else during his romantic time with Katharine Hepburn. But what makes this affair stand out was that it lasted 27 whole years, until Tracy's death. This affair, however, was only publicly admitted to after Tracy's wife died. Their onscreen romance was very believable and for good reason.
But this isn't a happy love story. Though 27 years would suggest something deep, the truth of the matter was that Tracy had a few girls to choose from, and was not known to be particularly loyal. He stayed with his wife, Louise, mainly because he was Catholic, rather than them loving each other, according to Louise. And in the end, Tracy had never acknowledged their relationship to his wife — instead, Hepburn was regarded as "a rumor." Hepburn had nursed Tracy in his final months alive, so finding this out was heartbreaking for her.
What we love: we wouldn't necessarily want this bitter love story, but love was there, in secret, in the dark. It might have been one-sided, but there was no doubt that Hepburn cared deeply for Tracy, even though the love might not have been as overtly returned.
Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham
Stevie and Lindsey were high school sweethearts that made it last. That alone is something to admire. They met at a party, where Buckingham was singing and playing his guitar casually. Nicks approached him and started singing along, turning the solo into a duet. It was brief, but there was something there. They didn't see each other for another two years, but when they did, Buckingham asked her to join his band Fleetwood Mac. And obviously, she did. Their electric relationship was hugely admired by their fans, even after the breakup. As Nicks put it: "We write about each other, we have continually written about each other, and we'll probably keep writing about each other until we're dead. That's what we have always been to each other. Together, we have been through great success, great misunderstandings, a great musical connection. "
What we love: the chemistry they had on stage. There was a vibe and a passion, but they knew when it was over, and were overall peaceful towards each other in the end. They know they don't work together, but they are happy for the way things turned out for the both of them.
Lucy and Desi
This love was, surprisingly, not love at first sight. They met on the stage of a musical in greasy makeup. However, the chemistry was palpable soon after meeting. Since they fell for each other so quickly, people made bets against them, giving their marriage two weeks. They were so in love, but their acting careers kept them apart — so they made a show — I Love Lucy — that would give them an excuse to be together. That show is still known as one of the most loved shows of all time. They divorced after 20 years, but they both admitted that their love was still real, in one way or another, even long after the divorce. They were a silly couple both on and off the screen.
What we want: Someone that enjoys what we enjoy, gets our sense of humor, and is in it, one way or another, for the long run.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
Now this is a modern love story. Everyone knows about Kim's all-too-brief first marriage. And who was there to comfort her? Kanye. Kanye had an his eyes on her for quite some time, but it wasn't something that could be pursued, since she had been in committed relationships. But it seems to have been worth the wait for both of them! They help each other rise above the haters, Kanye by writing songs for Kim, and Kim by always being on his side, by his side. On top of that, they both have killer sense of fashion, and appreciate each other's (well deserved) vanity.
What we love: Someone that loves, flaws and all … and also someone that understands that makeup time is me-time.
Johnny Cash and June Carter
Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash were one of those long-standing couples. They walked the line together for 35 solid years. Toward the end of their relationship, she had been trying to help him out of his drug addiction. Sadly, she died before him, with Johnny holding her hand. It was only four months later that Johnny left this world too.
What we love: That person who can understand our flaws, stick with us through thick and thin, and always be there, for as long as they can.
Bonnie and Clyde
These two were literally partners in crime. They're considered some of the most notorious criminals in American history. They started off simply as criminals in love. But it wasn't until police discovered some playful pictures of the couple left by a crime scene that they really got famous. People were fascinated by their playful attitudes and their crime spree across America. They both came from poor families, fell in love at first sight at a party, and wanted more. Great minds think alike, and so do criminal minds. They were determined. It wasn't a life of luxury, but it sure made an interesting movie.
What we love: Well, we all talk about having a partner in crime! That ride-or-die teammate that will be crazy with you … preferably legally, yeah?
Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum
This sexy pair met and fell in love on the set of Step Up. Things have not simmered down since. The couple continues to show off their dance moves and general playfulness on movies like Magic Mike, and their epically seductive and hilarious Lip Sync Battle.
What we love: You know, they say that how good of a dancer you are is a reflection of how good you are in bed, sooooo...
Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi
Ellen and Portia have been together for more than 10 years. Portia met Ellen backstage of a VH1 award show and said that Ellen took her breath away and made her weak in the knees. Ellen has supported Portia through an eating disorder, and Portia has supported her through her ever-rising success, which can take a toll. They both describe each other as not only partners but truly soul mates.
What we love: Beyond loving each other, their best friends. They're goofy, giving, and madly in love. How lucky it is to be in love with your best friend.
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera
Frida met Diego when she was an art student. She hoped to learn a few things from the muralist, and though he was married at the time, the flirtation began. Despite their 20-year age gap, they got married. As to be expected with artists, the relationship was not an easy one, with emotions running wild. They divorced, only to get back together a year later.
What we love: They were each other's muses, and with each other's support, made such powerful statements in their work. To be inspired is another way to see your love.
Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner
Two comedians, they met on the set of Hanky Panky while Gene was unhappily married. They fell in love but resisted it at first because he was married. But that didn't last long after they parted ways at the end of filming. They made multiple movies together where they shared their fun sense of humor with the world.
What we love: All the laughs. From the beginning, before they fell for each other, they had already greatly adored each other's comedic work, so you can imagine how much fun they had doing other things together!
George Burns and Gracie Allen
George and Gracie were another fun comedic couple that graced the world. Gracie was charming not only to George, but to all the crowds, so after working with her for a while, he gave her the comedic lines and played the straight man for their acts. Gracie, at the time, was engaged, but George pursued her for four years before he finally convinced her that they were meant to be. After Gracie died of a heart attack, George never remarried. "Together Again" is engraved on the crypt they share.
What we love: This one lasted. They got the last laugh — together.
Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier
This was not love at first sight. Well, Prince Rainier was of course taken with the beauty of Grace Kelly immediately, but once they had a thorough, polite conversation, he felt he had to continue to get to know her. Over a matter of months, the two exchanged intimate letters where they opened up about their feelings, their childhoods, and so forth. When the prince discovered he couldn't stop thinking about her, he tried even harder to make sure they met again. They fell in love with each other's charm and maturity. This was more than passion, it was a deep connection.
What we love: Another fairytale story! Two classy people falling in love in a classy and sophisticated way. Plus, handwritten letters are the best (hint hint).
John Lennon and Yoko Ono
Though Yoko is best known as the woman who was supposedly the cause of The Beatles' breakup, there had to be a reason why the professional singer had trouble focusing on anything but Yoko. John first encountered Yoko at one of her art shows and was astounded by her work. They shared a similar sense of humor and a passion for change. They were known to be passionate activists and artists.
What we love: Dude, the guy absolutely loved her. To him, meeting his future wife was a way of taking the next step in life — leaving the immense fame behind for love. It's romantic and understandable ... still a bummer that he couldn't keep up with both, but hey, all you need is love, right?
Victoria and David Beckham
They met in the '90s, and it was literally love at first sight, according to Victoria. To recount this, Victoria wrote to her younger self: "While the other football players stand at the bar drinking with their mates, you will see David standing aside with his family. (He's not even in the first team at this stage — you are the famous one) ... And he has such a cute smile. You, too, are close to your family, and you will think how similar he feels to you. He's going to ask for your number. (He still has the London-to-Manchester plane ticket on which you wrote it.)"
What we love: What's not to love about love at first sight? Especially when it's actually REAL and they're both super hot and successful?
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