Jeff Bridges' Wife Asked Doctors to 'Save His Life No Matter What' during His Health Crisis – Inside Their Love Story

• When they first met, Jeff Bridges couldn't keep his eyes away from his wife, Susan.
• Susan has stood by Jeff, supporting and loving him even as he became critically ill.
• Jeff, who fell in love with his wife at first sight, opened up about the secret to their long-lasting marriage.

Jeff Bridges and his wife, Susan Bridges, share a touching love story. The actor has often spoken positively about his wife in interviews, praising her support and the stability she brings to his life.

Jeff met his wife, Susan, while filming "Rancho Deluxe" in 1975. Two years after meeting, they tied the knot. Jeff and Susan were married on June 5, 1977, and have been together for over 45 years.

When the duo first met, Jeff was captivated by Susan. He saw her while filming a scene in the hot tub at a place called Chico Hot Springs. Susan had recently been in an accident and had a fractured nose. The combination of her beauty and the evidence of her injury held the actor's attention.

Jeff stole glances at Susan, and she would catch him staring. Finally, he garnered the courage to ask her out, but she rejected him twice. Eventually, Susan told the actor they were in a small town and might run into each other later. Her words came true when they danced one night in the city. That night, the actor fell in love.

Susan got a call from the hospital notifying her that they needed to put her husband on a ventilator.

A day after the dance, Jeff met with a real estate agent, taking Susan with him. The two went to look at a ranch house by the river on what became their first official date. The actor recalled a voice in his head saying:

"You are now looking at a house with your future wife. And I thought, Oh, no, let me outta here."

The movie star knew he had found the one but was afraid he and Susan didn't have what it took to have a lasting love like his parents. Jeff was also scared of losing his freedom. However, after two years, he finally asked Susan to marry him. In his mind, he knew that if things didn't work out, they could always divorce.

Jeff is glad he opened that door because it led to a fulfilling life with children and grandchildren and a deeper intimacy with his wife. These things wouldn't have been available to him if he hadn't taken the bold step and gotten married.

Over their decades-long marriage, the Oscar-winning actor has learned much from Susan as she points out ways he derails himself. Together, they have built a happy family, overcoming challenges, including sicknesses and self-doubt.

Susan's Steadfast Love and Support as Jeff Battled a Health Crisis

Susan and Jeff have three daughters, Isabelle, 42, Jessica, 40, and Haley, 38. His family loves and cares for each other. Susan showed her dedication and love towards her husband when he faced a nearly fatal health crisis.

Jeff, who turned 74 on December 4, 2023, thought his end was near when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2020. The actor had just taken a break from shooting season one of "The Old Man" due to the pandemic restrictions when he felt something like a bone in his stomach while exercising.

His stomach wasn't hurting, but when he told his wife, she advised him to get checked. However, since he wasn't hurting, Jeff chose not to see a doctor. He and his wife went on a planned trip to Montana, and while there, his shin itched, and he was sweating at night. What the actor didn't know was that these were symptoms of lymphoma.

After returning from the trip, Jeff went to see a doctor who told him he had a mass in his stomach. The 9-by-12-inch tumor turned out to be cancerous. He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. The actor started living the chemotherapy life as an outpatient. Chemo was working, and soon, his prognosis was looking up.

Unfortunately, the dad of three also contracted COVID-19 at a local hospital ward and had to be hospitalized. He recalled that the virus made "cancer look like nothing." The actor almost gave up as even doctors noticed he wasn't fighting. He noted that he just didn't know how to fight:

"I just didn't know how to do that. I was in surrender mode. I'd say to myself, 'Everybody dies, and this is me dying.'"

Jeff was ready for death, but his wife remained his staunch advocate. Initially, the couple was hospitalized together, but when Susan got better, she was sent home. Still, she returned to watch as her husband recovered. During this time, she fought hard to keep Jeff off a ventilator as he didn't want it, but the doctors did.

The actor's health deteriorated, and Susan got a call from the hospital notifying her that they needed to put her husband on a ventilator, to which she responded, "Save his life. No matter what you have to do."

Luckily, Jeff wasn't put on a ventilator, but he admitted that he came close to dying. The actor was treated and became COVID-19-free, but his recovery journey was also not easy. He had to garner strength to stand for as long as 45 seconds and learn to walk again.

Jeff was motivated as he knew his reward would be to walk his daughter Haley down the aisle at her wedding, which he finally did in August 2021. Father and daughter even managed to dance together.

When the actor was hospitalized, he was also sure his career had ended. Jeff, who didn't think he could work again, felt like it was a dream when he returned to work and finished shooting season one of "The Old Man."

Back to work and grateful to be alive, Jeff confessed that his health battle taught him to treasure the simple things in life, such as spending time with his wife. He also learned that he loves being alive, working, and adoring his three adult daughters and several grandchildren. The actor noted that cancer and COVID-19:

"Exacerbated all these feelings of love for my wonderful family."

Jeff and Susan also shared the secret to their long-lasting marriage during their 43rd wedding anniversary. The actor revealed that the two have mutual respect. They celebrate their differences rather than let their diversity drive them apart. Jeff and Susan's union is filled with love and adoration that even inspires their daughters.