Michael J Fox’s Wife of 34 Years Takes Care of Him as He Lives with Parkinson’s — When He Falls, She Makes It Funny

• Actor Michael J. Fox recalled that his wife, Tracy Pollan, did not blink upon hearing that he had been diagnosed with an incurable illness.

• Fox and Pollan have been together for 30 years, and their bond has only strengthened over time.

• She has come to terms with her husband's illness and has done much to help him.

Retired actor Michael J. Fox and his wife, actress Tracy Pollan, met on the set of the sitcom "Family Ties" in 1982 and dated for seven months before getting engaged on December 26, 1987.

The couple tied the knot the following year. Fox and Pollan found happiness together, but the actor's ongoing health issues have challenged the couple's marriage.

Fox recalled how Pollan reacted when she first learned he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease several years back. He said his wife's response made him emotional.

Pollan has dedicated most of her life to assisting her husband. For his part, Fox is thankful that she is always there for him. He said his longtime wife was his greatest support.

Wife Takes Care of Michael J Fox for 30 Years

Pollan has been helping Fox with his bout with Parkinson's disease for over three decades. A selfless woman, she continues to look after her husband every day.

Her ability to see things from her partner's point of view has helped her understand their situation better. Even when they disagree about minor things, she still understands him. Pollan explained:

"My first assumption is not that he's not being unkind to me. It's that something else was going on."

According to Pollan, Fox did the same thing to her. He tries to understand rather than make assumptions about inappropriate behavior. "It's all about acceptance," Fox said.

The "Back to the Future" star was only 29 when he was given the diagnosis in 1992. When his wife discovered his condition, he said, "she didn't blink."

The Hollywood actor said Pollan had been "in the front lines" with him daily and that her sense of humor helped him get through difficult times with his condition. Fox added:

"She never pretends to know as much as I know. And the other thing Tracy does is, if there's something funny, let's get to the funny. We'll deal with the tragic later."

Fox gushed about Pollan's efforts to care for him and her role as a "rock" for him throughout the years. He described his wife as affectionate, kind, brilliant, and gorgeous. He said she is also a good cook and a great mother.

In addition to his disease, Fox also had a tumor in his spine. In 2018, he had surgery to remove it, which meant he had to learn how to walk again. After four months, he fell at home, which caused him to have serious injuries on his arm.

Fox recalled lying on the kitchen floor with a broken arm while waiting for an ambulance to arrive. He expressed regret for his carelessness, saying he felt he had let down his surgeons.

Despite his feelings of self-pity after the terrible accident, he realized that having an optimistic outlook and a sense of gratitude helped him get through the difficult time that followed.

He stated that he was in a "really good groove" and he was overjoyed to have a wife and a family. He said he was also grateful to be given more time to spend with them. The couple shares four children: Sam, Aquinnah, Schuyler, and Esme.

Since Esme went to college, the couple has become empty nesters. Their three other children have led separate lives. With no kids at home and to pick up from school, Fox and his wife enjoy more time together.

Fox said they sold their house, traveled to Santa Barbara for a couple of months, and even visited Malibu. As much as he is lucky to have a great family, he is fortunate to have a fantastic partner.

Wife Ran on Stage at the Oscars to Help Him

On November 21, 2022, Fox was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 13th Annual Governors Awards in Los Angeles. Individuals whose humanitarian efforts reflected well on the industry were given the award.

On stage, he admitted he would have difficulty lifting his award, so his wife eventually came to his rescue, went up on stage, and held the trophy for him. Pollan hugged and kissed her husband before returning to her seat.

In his speech at the ceremony, Fox opened up about the early years of his life, when he struggled with uncertainty after being diagnosed with the disease that affected his career, life, and family.

He said Pollan made it clear that she would be by his side throughout the ordeal. He thanked his wife for her unwavering support. Instead of drowning himself in regret and sadness, he referred to his disease as "a gift."

The screen legend has become an advocate for finding a cure for the disease. In 2002, he established the Michael J. Fox Foundation, to aid in research efforts for Parkinson's disease. The foundation has raised over a billion dollars for research.

Even though there is no cure for the disease, the foundation has been helping individuals with the condition through therapy. Fox said he is proud of all the people who have worked at the foundation.

Fox was deeply moved when the event organizers recognized his efforts. In addition to his wife, he also thanked many people who supported him. He said earning the prize was a "humbling" experience for him.

Michael J. Fox started acting in the late 1970s. He became famous for playing Marty McFly in the "Back to the Future" movies with Christopher Lloyd, who played Dr. Emmet Brown.

He retired from acting in 2020 and has focused his attention on his foundation. He recently released his memoir, "No Time Like the Future," which chronicles his life, his disease, and how he became an optimist after all the events in his life.