Bo Derek & John Corbett Were Happy Together for 20 Years Yet Only Married Decades Later

Beloved Hollywood couple Bo Derek and John Corbett fell in love when they met. However, it took over a decade before they eventually tied the knot.

John Corbett started 2002 as better as he would have expected. The actor was already a regular cast on "Sex and the City," and his movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" was set for a summer release.

However, personally, the actor had no romantic partner in his life. So when his agent Norby Walters threw an Oscar party, Corbett had no date who would accompany him to the party.

When he informed Walters that he was not dating anyone he could bring to the party, the agent promised to set him up with someone. Thankfully, that "someone" turned out to be Bo Derek.

Corbett and Derek fell for each other instantly. However, according to the former, he felt intimidated by the actress when they met. Derek, who had not dated anyone in five years, instantly became attracted to Corbett. However, the actress was cautious, telling her friends she would wait for the sparks between them to get going.

The actress, who was previously married to movie director John Derek until his death from congestive heart failure in 1998, did not expect she would date anyone before meeting Corbett.

After her ex-husband's death, Derek felt an immense loss and change in her life. Her husband's death sucked the life out of the room, and she basked in that feeling for a while.

Unlike some women who would look to date again, Derek wanted to model life after her single friends who lived whole and fantastic lives with their families and career.

Thankfully, she met Corbett, who made her laugh and feel comfortable. The actress was also instantly attracted to Corbett because he looked full of life and joy.

BO DEREK AND JOHN CORBETT'S ROMANCE BLOSSOMED

Following Derek and Corbett's instant lure towards each other when they first met, their relationship steadily progressed through the years. In 2004 the pair were pictured together acting loved up and sticking very close to each other, with Corbett rocking a surprise and fitted western outfit.

Derek also started commenting on their relationship with reporters. While speaking to Entertainment Tonight, the actress revealed she was a fan of "Sex and the City" before meeting Corbett, who starred in the series as Aiden.

The actress also told ET that the thing she loves most about Corbett is the twinkle in his eye and his humor. She revealed the actor has a lot of joy in him that she feeds off.

Also, the simplest things can make him happy and make her day and life brighter. Corbett also has a wicked sense of humor. Derek disclosed that their relationship has lasted over the years because one has to be deeply in love to have a lasting relationship.

She also disclosed that flexibility is key to their happiness because they were not alike in so many things when they met. After starting their relationship, they took things one at a time, which has helped them over the years.

While speaking to Fox News, Derek explained that because Corbett has starred in many comedies, jokes come quickly to him, a trait she does not have.

So when he learned the actress was starting a shampoo line for canines called Bo Derek Pet Care, Corbett was charming to her. He also helped out and made fun of the situation.

THE COUPLE HAS NO BABY OR MARRIAGE PLAN

Although Derek was married to her ex-husband for 25 years, they had no children before his death. The actress revealed she thought about having kids at a point, but her life was so unconventional that she dropped it.

According to Derek, kids deserve at least a chance to have two parents committed to them, but her life was so complex that there were times she could not even have a dog not to talk about having kids.

Also, Derek and Corbett had been together for years and were deeply in love, but they had no plans to marry. While speaking about their decision not to tie the knot, Corbett revealed the secret to having a successful relationship is never getting married in the first place. He said:

"Don't get married. I have a lot of friends that get divorced. It becomes this whole thing."

The actor's advice on having a solid relationship is that couples should enjoy being together. Meanwhile, Derek revealed that she and Corbett talk about marriage sometimes, but they do not have kids and are not young, so they do not feel pressured to tie the knot.

The actress also revealed that the secret to their long-lasting relationship is the love they show towards each other.

THE COVID PANDEMIC STRENGTHENED THEIR RELATIONSHIP

Derek and Corbett moved to their ranch during the Covid lockdown, and that decision meant the pair spent the longest time they have ever spent with one another.

The couple soon developed a routine of grabbing a coffee and feeding their dogs and horses. They also started trying to get along, which has helped their relationship tremendously.

While appearing on "The Talk" in August 2021, Corbett surprisingly announced he and Derek had gotten married the previous Christmas.

Due to the pair being very private, they did not make an announcement, but their family and friends knew. However, his admission on the series was the first time he publicly revealed it.

The actor revealed that they decided to tie the knot because they did not want 2020 to be a year they would look back on with hatred. So they tried to get one nice thing out of the year.

After their wedding, the couple moved into a new 10.5-acre ranch in Santa Ynez, California. However, Derek, who is her own interior designer, finds decorating the house challenging.

The actress revealed that she and Corbett do not generally agree on how the house should be decorated but would result in a give and take about what they would eventually keep or discard.