Sweeping Through Stages and Hearts: The Captivating Journey of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick developed a profound connection during the 1990s, united by their mutual passion for musical theater. They have continued to nourish this shared love, ensuring that the melodies and rhythms stay vibrant. In the fall of 1991, shortly after Parker ended her relationship with Robert Downey Jr., fate brought them together through the enchanting realm of Broadway, facilitated by the presence of her two brothers.

"He possesses incredible intelligence and striking looks. In my entire life, I have never encountered a man more handsome than him," expressed the former 'Sex and the City' star to the Los Angeles Times in 1996. "Moreover, he serves as an immense source of inspiration for me. I am completely infatuated with him."

Following their marriage in 1997, Parker and Broderick joyfully welcomed their eldest child, James, in 2002. Seven years hence, their twin daughters, Marion and Tabitha, were brought into the world through the assistance of a surrogate.

The two stars have always maintained a high level of privacy in their long-lasting romance. According to Parker, they both come from a different era where their main focus was to excel as actors and be involved in the theater world. Being celebrities was never a topic of discussion for them, so when their marriage was brought up, they saw no obligation to respond to any rumors or gossip.

Scroll down to see Parker and Broderick’s relationship over the years:

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Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick’s Relationship Timeline: From Broadway to Babies

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick formed a connection in the 1990s, fueled by their mutual passion for musical theater. Despite hardships, they continue to nurture this lifelong love for music. Their paths crossed in November 1991, following Parker's breakup with Robert Downey Jr., when they were introduced by two of her siblings within the Broadway community.

"He possesses immense intelligence and remarkable charm, making him the most attractive man I've encountered thus far," shared the Sex and the City alum with the Los Angeles Times in 1996. "Furthermore, he serves as a great source of inspiration for me. I am completely infatuated with him."

After exchanging vows in 1997, Parker and Broderick joyfully introduced their firstborn, son James, to the world in 2002. Seven years later, their twin daughters, Marion and Tabitha, completed their family through the assistance of a surrogate.

Over the course of their enduring love story spanning several decades, the celebrity couple has always made a conscious effort to keep their relationship away from the public eye.

During an interview with Harper's Bazaar in 2013, Parker reflected, "Matthew and I belong to a different era and mindset. Back in our youth, our sole ambition was to become respected actors. Personally, I aspired to work in theater and be surrounded by those remarkable artists whom I deeply admired. The concept of achieving celebrity status was never a topic of discussion. Hence, when our marriage would be mentioned, it never crossed our minds that we were obliged to address any gossip."

Scroll down to see Parker and Broderick’s relationship over the years:

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November 1991

The couple crossed paths in 1991, owing their fortuitous encounter to Parker's brothers, Pippin and Toby, who shared a passion for Broadway. As fate would have it, Broderick became involved with the Naked Angels Theater Company, a venture that Parker's brothers played a key role in initiating. It was through this connection that the two were brought together and swiftly became enamored with one another.

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March 1996

The couple, affectionately known as lovebirds, shared the stage in the 1996 Broadway production How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. This marked a significant moment for Parker as it had been 16 years since she last sang onstage. Expressing her nervousness, the former Annie star confessed to the Los Angeles Times that acting alongside her partner made her unsure of how they would manage without bursting into laughter. The topic was intentionally avoided, as she didn't even want to rehearse. Parker humorously envisioned herself going onstage with a blindfold, wondering what she was getting herself into.

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May 1997

On May 19, 1997, the couple surprised 100 guests by exchanging vows at New York's Angel Orensanz Synagogue. Instead of anticipating a party, their friends were astounded to witness a wedding. Following the style of SATC, Parker embraced a non-traditional approach by adorning a black gown, rather than the traditional white, which she purchased straight off the rack. The reception was nothing short of spectacular, with lively show tunes resonating until 2 a.m., as reported by Brides.

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October 2002

The lovebirds welcomed their first child, son James, named after his late grandfather, James Broderick, on October 28, 2002.

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June 2009

Seven years after welcoming their first child, the couple became parents to twins Marion and Tabitha via surrogate on June 22, 2009.

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December 2011

In an interview with The Telegraph, the Hocus Pocus actress acknowledged the challenges in her marriage, stating that it hasn't always been smooth sailing. "We've been together for 20 years and we experience moments of happiness, moments of mediocrity, and moments of difficulty. That's the reality of a marriage," she shared with the publication. "It's also true for any relationship, even friendships beyond marriage." Parker went on to explain that enduring meaningful relationships requires navigating through various phases and periods.

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August 2013

In the September 2013 edition of Harper's Bazaar, the Sex and the City alum expressed her adoration for Matthew Broderick, proclaiming her love for him. Despite potential judgments, she firmly stated her devotion to their marriage and the life they have built together. Delighted by their familial bond, she declared her love for him as the father of their children and credited him for introducing her to a whole new world that she cherishes.

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November 2014

During an appearance on the Meredith Vieira Show in November 2014, the Tony-winning star emphasized the strong friendship between himself and his spouse, stating, "We really are friends beyond everything else and we talk a lot." Expressing the importance of open communication, he added, "Keep talking I guess, I know how cliché that is. Too much silence is definitely not a good idea." In addition, Broderick revealed that his wife brings joy and laughter into their relationship, describing her as "really fun," which he considers a positive attribute.

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October 2014

The couple have always had trust in each other, especially regarding their relationships with their exes. When Robert Downey Jr., who dated Parker from 1984 to 1991, expressed his desire to reconnect with his former lover in October 2014, Broderick assured that he was completely fine with it. "Without a doubt, he's more than welcome to reach out to her – they're fantastic friends," the Tower Heist actor conveyed at that time. "What would my reaction be? A rejection? Who do you think I am? No, I have deep affection for both Robert Downey and Sarah Jessica Parker, so definitely."

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January 2018

During an interview on Girlboss Radio with Sophia Amoruso, the Divorce alum addressed their unconventional lifestyle, stating, "I understand it may sound unconventional, but our lives lend themselves to periods of separation and reunion. His career frequently takes him here, while mine often leads me there. Strangely enough, I believe this has actually been highly advantageous because it allows us to constantly bring new experiences and stories into our relationship."

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September 2019

Parker revealed to Us in an exclusive interview on September 26, 2019 that their relationship has evolved in various ways. With the growth of their family, the couple has experienced both joy and loss, cherishing precious memories with loved ones who are no longer present. Maintaining a strong bond, they have deliberately chosen not to discuss these aspects openly. Over the course of their two-decade marriage, Parker emphasized the importance of keeping their personal life "nice and private."

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February 2020

The couple made their return to the theater together in February, launching their show Plaza Suite with a brief pre-Broadway run in Boston. Parker expressed her excitement for the joint venture on Instagram in September 2019, stating, "I've been waiting for this moment my whole life." Unfortunately, the show's Broadway run was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has now been rescheduled to open in March 2021 in New York City.

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March 2020

Reflecting on her time working on Sex and the City, Parker disclosed in a March 2020 New York Times profile that she experienced extreme nervousness whenever her husband visited the set. According to the actress, she would exclaim, "Matthew's here! Don't look at me!" She further admitted that looking back, the entire situation felt embarrassing. She humorously added, "Just the thought of Matthew being on set is enough to give me hives."

Although the two did not have an encounter on the HBO series, the opportunity arose in 2020 for them to collaborate on Broadway. "This is the first time since we've had three children that we ... are even prepared [to work together]," expressed the Girls Just Wanna Have Fun actress to WSJ Magazine in March. "And it's challenging."

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November 2020

When asked about the key to their successful marriage on SiriusXM's "Quarantined with Bruce," Broderick affectionately referred to Parker as his "best friend." He expressed his gratitude and love for her, describing their relationship as amazing. The actor also commended Parker's acting abilities in their play, Plaza Suite, describing her as talented and highlighting her humor and intelligence. Despite never having acted with her onstage before, he was impressed by her skills and hoped that others would have the opportunity to see her perform.

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March 2021

Parker expressed her heartfelt wishes on the occasion of Broderick’s 59th birthday. Taking to Instagram, she shared an image of a cake adorned with numerous candles. In a blissful message, she conveyed, "Happy birthday, my dear Husband. We are filled with immense love and gratitude as we celebrate the day you were born. With love, your SJ and the three enchanted Broderick’s."

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February 2022

Leading up to their anticipated comeback in The Plaza Suite on Broadway, Parker revealed on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen that she discovered Broderick was her perfect match soon after their initial encounter. Additionally, she fondly recounted both their first and second kisses, with the latter leaving a lasting impression.

As the first lip lock took place "outside an apartment building," the second occurred while she was entering a subway station. "With a Ricola [cough drop] in my mouth, it was the midst of winter, and I perceived it as more of an interference. Thus, I spat it out into my gloved hand, as I was about to board the subway... Unfortunately, it stuck to my glove." She clarified that it was "a valuable investment glove," but the damage done to the designer accessory was irreversible. "It left a lasting mark."

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February 2022

“The concern is that I don’t want [us being] an actual couple to diminish the allure of the fantasy,” expressed Broderick in an interview with Hemispheres magazine, referring to their shared roles in Broadway’s Plaza Suite. “I desire for it to be a credible theatrical production. Thus, I always have this apprehension that you may not fully immerse yourself in the play. However, as soon as we commenced, that feeling vanished. [Sarah Jessica's] talent as an actor and comedian is truly exceptional, and perhaps her theatrical skills are not as widely recognized. They are truly remarkable. It truly is a delight to watch her and be reminded of her incredible abilities. Fortunately, we haven't experienced any conflicts that translate from our rehearsals to the actual performance, or vice versa.”

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April 2022

“I was truly amazed by how incredible she was on stage,” Broderick discussed on SiriusXM's The Jess Cagle Show in April 2022. “Her comedic skills are so impressive, which didn't come as a surprise, but it's still remarkable just how exceptionally talented she is. And working with her is a breeze! People often ask, ‘Isn't it difficult to work with your spouse?’ or something like that. It would probably be harder if I didn't feel so comfortable with her abilities. She's an excellent stage partner. We rarely encounter any issues and we try to avoid nitpicking about lines like, ‘Could you please say that a bit quicker when I enter so that I…’ You know?”

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October 2023

Parker and Broderick matched in black at the New York City Ballet 2023 Fall Fashion Gala.

In this article

Matthew Broderick

Sarah Jessica Parker