Matthew Modine's Wife of 42 Years Is Caridad Rivera: Inside Their Long-Lasting Marriage

With their 42nd anniversary quickly approaching, no one would guess that the calculated Doctor Brenner is a loving husband of over four decades. Meet Matthew Modine's wife, Caridad Rivera.

Gifted actor Matthew Modine has garnered overwhelming public attention following his riveting performances in several movies and television shows.

Currently, many know Modine as the calculated Doctor Martin Brenner or "Papa" from "Stranger Things." However, many people are interested in his life beyond the screen, specifically concerning his long-time marriage to Caridad Rivera.

MATTHEW MODINE AND CARIDAD RIVERA'S MANY DECADES OF MARRIAGE

Sadly the health food restaurant Au Natural in New York City has seemingly closed down. Still, its existence in the early 1980s was responsible for beginning a long and happy marriage. Originally from Utah, Modine moved to the city to pursue his acting dreams in 1980.

He soon found that it was not easy to land a role. So, with his background experience working as a chef at his parents' restaurant, he began to work in the kitchen at Au Natural.

It was a typical day at work when a patron insisted on having a dish to go, but Modine turned down the stubborn request stating it wouldn't be a practical dish with which to travel. Eventually, he went out to talk to the insistent customer; It was then that he fell instantly in love with Rivera. They married on October 30, 1980.

He has expressed about his wife: "What's most important is to have a partner you share interests with, who challenges you, who is smarter than you. Then the physical side is a bonus. I hit the jackpot and got both!"

THEY WELCOMED TWO CHILDREN

Modine and his wife Rivera had two children together and now have a grandchild. Their son, Boman Rivera Modine, was born on November 8, 1985, and has grown up to make a significant name for himself in the entertainment industry.

He has worked in many areas, such as assistant directing, directing, producing, acting, and writing, with 26 projects to his name. He has also been nominated for awards, including Emmys. While he is acclaimed, he tries to keep away from the public eye with a private Instagram account to prove it.

Ruby Modine, their daughter, was born on June 31, 1990. She acted in the black comedy slasher film "Happy Death Day" along with its sequel and the series "Shameless," where she plays Sierra. Beyond acting, their daughter is also a singer, ballet dancer, and now also a mother. In 2020, she gave birth to Avery winter.

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WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT 'CARI' RIVERA

This happy mom and grandmother, Rivera, was born and grew up in the Lower East Side of Manhatten. Of Puerto Rican descent, her parents moved to America before she was born.

She's a wardrobe stylist and makeup artist and also played a dancer in "The Red Room," which is a short movie. Rivera is also playing Lady Mufajah in "Lost Cos" and worked as a production assistant for the film "Muñeca."

While ensuring her own success, she has stayed by her husband's side through all the challenges of his career. As Modine said: "[Rivera is] the greatest partner and friend a person could ask for."

MATTHEW MODINE'S CAREER

This career that his wife has stuck by his side throughout has become nothing less than a major success, and what shouts success more than an actor who is confident enough in his abilities to turn down multiple scripts?

He believes in valuing and choosing storytelling over commercial gain, having turned down big names in the entertainment business for this reason. While he has played many prolific roles, right now, "Stranger Things" is center stage and has had a massive impact on him.

Modine has stated that the show brought a new fanbase from a different generation. When he is not playing an analytical scientist, Modine is engaged in other artistic passions such as painting and photography -- and, of course, spending time with his wife.