Ben Stiller is opening up about the journey he and his wife, Christine Taylor, took during their years-long separation and eventual reunion. 

The couple, who have been a fixture in Hollywood for years, first tied the knot in 2000. 

However, after nearly two decades together, they announced their separation in 2017. 

Their statement at the time highlighted the mutual respect and love they shared, emphasizing their commitment to co-parenting their two children and maintaining a close friendship. 

Despite the separation, they requested privacy, recognizing the emotional difficulty of such a transition.

By 2022, Stiller and Taylor found their way back to each other after reconnecting during the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought many families closer together during a time of uncertainty. 

Now, Stiller has opened up about the details surrounding their separation and eventual reconciliation, shedding light on how the time apart helped them rediscover their bond.

In an interview with *The New York Times* ahead of the return of his series *Severance* in January 2025, Stiller shared insight into his personal life, touching on the difficulties the couple faced in the early 2010s. Around the time they made the move back to New York after living in Los Angeles for 20 years, their relationship was struggling. Stiller admitted that things weren’t in the best place, leading to the decision to take some space.

Reflecting on the separation, Stiller said that it was essential for him to step back and understand his life outside the context of their marriage. “It was about having space to see what our relationship was, what my life felt like when we weren’t in that relationship, and how much I loved our family unit,” he explained. While they were separated for about three or four years, he made it clear that they never fully lost their connection.

Despite their separation, Stiller emphasized that in his mind, he never truly wanted them to be apart. He left the door open for the possibility of reconciliation, though he admitted that he couldn’t speak for Taylor’s feelings during that time. When the pandemic hit and forced families into closer quarters, the couple found themselves living under the same roof once again. Stiller referred to this as an “act of God,” acknowledging that it was a unique and unexpected opportunity for them to reconsider their relationship.

Though they spent nearly a year living together again before officially reconnecting, Stiller expressed gratitude for the experience. He noted, “I’m so grateful for it, and I think not that many people do come back together when they separate.” The time they spent in the same house allowed them both to appreciate each other anew, realizing how much they valued what they had. “There’s nothing like that, when you come back. You have so much more appreciation for what you have, because we know we could not have it,” he added.

Christine Taylor, for her part, has also reflected on the separation. During an appearance on *The Drew Barrymore Show* in 2023, she shared her perspective on the period of distance between them. She explained that family had always been a priority for both of them, but they had started to grow in different directions. “We were at this impasse of, ‘Let’s figure this out, what’s best at this chapter in our lives?’” she said, adding that during their time apart, they had the chance to grow individually and understand who they were as people.

Taylor acknowledged the natural “growth spurts” that adults experience, and how this personal development was necessary for them to come to terms with where they were in their relationship. She stressed that the time apart allowed both of them to explore their own identities and ultimately come to a better understanding of what they wanted out of life—and their relationship.

Now, as they continue to raise their two children, Ella Olivia (22) and Quinlin Dempsey (19), the couple seems stronger than ever. Their children have grown into young adults, with Ella pursuing her education at Juilliard, and both parents reflecting on how much their family means to them.

Stiller and Taylor’s journey shows the complexity of relationships, the power of personal growth, and the importance of time and space in understanding what truly matters. Their story is a testament to the resilience of love, even in the face of challenges, and the ability to find one’s way back to what was once lost.

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