Denise Austin and Husband Jeff Austin Saw Each Other Every Day after Their First Date

It was love at first sight for Denise and Jeff Austin, who met in the early 1980s. The couple has kept their union strong, having spent almost every day together since their first date. They welcomed two daughters, one of whom followed in her mother's footsteps in a "full circle moment."

Fitness enthusiast and instructor Denise Austin gained fame for her VHS and DVD workout videos. In addition to that legacy, she served two terms on what became the President's Council of Physical Fitness and Sports. She also helped launch the food pyramid guidance in the United States.

Although her fitness instruction videos have grown less popular over the years, Denise continued trudging through the fitness industry, encouraging people of all ages to stay active, including her children. She even led an aerobics session in high heels at her wedding reception!

As Denise's success grew, so did her relationship with her husband, Jeff Austin. When they met, Denise still went by Katniche, an uncommon last name – or so Jeff thought. They found they had much in common and firmly believed in remaining positive and earning each other's love for the sake of their relationship.

Almost 40 Years of a Blissful Marriage

During a 2012 interview with the New York Times, Denise and Jeff opened up about their marriage. They wed on April 30, 1983, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Palos Verdes, and while Denise recalled having the best time of her life on their big day, Jeff joked that he remembered nothing about their wedding.

They had planned an outdoor reception with no contingency should there be rain by the time it started; however, as Jeff remarked, it seemed fate was in their favor. There were heavy showers on the morning and evening of their nuptials, but there were clear skies during the festivities.

Jeff thought it was a good omen but joked that it indicated they needed better planning skills. When asked what the best thing was about being married to Denise, Jeff expressed his admiration for her ability to have fun, her joy, and her hard work ethic.

He thought those traits were a "good combination" and added that their similar interests in politics, religion, and sports strengthened their compatibility. When the question turned to Denise, she said Jeff had the best sense of humor and made her laugh even when they weren't getting along.

She thought he was a wonderful father as he consistently prioritized their family. Denise also admired Jeff's character and integrity. She said she longed for him even when she was only a few days out of town.

Their First Date Was before Thanksgiving

The couple met at a tennis club in Torrance, California, a few days before Thanksgiving in 1981. Denise was the club's new aerobics director, where Jeff helped his sister, Tracy – a tennis star like Richard Williams' daughters, Serena and Venus Williams – train.

They were all introduced by the club's general manager and separated after a short while. After Jeff and Tracy finished training, Tracy encouraged her brother to talk to Denise. Jeff heeded his sister's advice and said he was "smitten immediately."

From their first encounter, Jeff remembered Denise's maiden name, Katniche, and thought there probably weren't that many Katniches in San Pedro. To his surprise, he found 12 when he checked the phonebook. He turned to the general manager to ask for Denise's number.

The general manager initially declined until, presumably, he budged. Jeff and Denise spent their first date on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving at a restaurant, where they played backgammon.

Confident that she wouldn't lose, Denise determined the game's rules. She said whoever lost a round had to take a shot of tequila. Jeff lost the first two rounds, but Denise lost the third, and that's when she started to back out, as her husband recalled:

"Then she lost and said, 'I don't want to take a shot.' I asked, 'How come? You made up this game.' And she said, 'I didn't think I'd lose!' I thought it was charming … and after that we saw each other every day."

Denise Is Her Daughter's Inspiration

One of Denise's daughters, Katie Austin, is a model who recently walked the Sports Illustrated Runway Show in Miami Beach during Miami Swim Week. She proudly graced the stage alongside her mom in what she called a "full circle moment" as she raved:

"My mom is my inspiration for everything. She’s my biggest supporter, mentor and best friend who highly encouraged me to do Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, so the fact I can walk with her in the show is a full circle moment."

The pair were the first mother-daughter duo to walk the runway for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, and Denise couldn't have been prouder of Katie. With an impressively well-maintained physique, she also wanted to encourage women from age 50 and older that they could feel confident with a healthier lifestyle.