Cameron Diaz Didn't Imagine Walking Down the Aisle after 40 until She Met Her Husband: Inside Their Love Story

• Hollywood actress Cameron Diaz found love when she least expected it.
• A chance meeting led to a blissful marriage, defying Diaz's expectations of finding true love after 40.
• Learn more about their love story, their perspectives on family, and their commitment to each other.

Cameron Diaz, known for her role in "Charlie's Angels," and Benji Madden, the lead guitarist of the rock band Good Charlotte, have always been discreet about their relationship. The pair were an unlikely match given Diaz's history of dating high-profile men like Alex Rodriguez, Jared Leto, Justin Timberlake, and Matt Dillon.

Diaz found a unique connection with Madden, a partner who treated her as an equal and held deep respect for her. In a 2016 interview, the actress revealed that getting married was the most significant event of her 40s. She hadn't anticipated this decision, but it opened her up unexpectedly.

She said, "I didn't think it was something I'd do, and I don't know if I'd have done it if I hadn't met my husband. It was a surprise." Family played a crucial role in Diaz and Madden's love story. Madden's twin brother, Joel, also a member of rock bands Good Charlotte and the Madden Brothers, introduced the couple.

Interestingly, Nicole Richie, Joel's wife, played Cupid. Richie was thrilled to see Madden find happiness with Diaz. She took responsibility for setting them up, stating that she wanted everyone to be surrounded by love. Contrary to tabloid reports, Diaz clarified in a SiriusXM interview that their engagement lasted two to three months, not 17 days as reported.

She fondly recalled how Madden first caught her eye. She was smitten when Madden walked into a barbecue at Diaz's house. During a chat on an episode of "Anna Faria Is Unqualified" podcast, Diaz humorously recalled her first impression of Madden, "I saw him walking towards me, and I was like, 'Huh, he's hot. I haven't seen him before.'"

Despite having met his twin brother, Diaz noted that she hadn't noticed him before. Upon getting to know Madden, Diaz discovered he was the one she had been waiting for. Her business partner, Katherine Powers, commented on how she didn't have the same reaction to his twin, Joe, to which Diaz answered, "Even though they're twins, they're very, very different."

After a nine-month romance, Diaz, who stands at 5 foot 9 inches, and Madden, who is 5 foot 6 inches, exchanged vows at Diaz's Beverly Hills residence in January 2015. During the reception, she expressed joy at waiting for the right person, referring to Madden as her special man. The wedding was an intimate affair, held in their living room in the presence of family and close friends, followed by a small party in their backyard.

Once married, Diaz found that her past relationships faded into insignificance. She said nothing else mattered now that she had her husband, and no one could compare to him. She described this realization as understanding real love, commitment, and devotion and recognizing Madden as the person she wanted to build her life with.

In a 2015 interview, Diaz expressed her utmost happiness and shared her views on family planning. She believed in letting life unfold naturally, stating that she didn't feel pressured to conform to societal expectations of having a child. She was open to having children, saying, "If children come to me, then I would do that."

A year later, Madden expressed his satisfaction with the family life he had established with Diaz and voiced his enthusiasm to extend their family, affirming his love for children. On January 3, 2020, Diaz and Madden joyfully announced the birth of their daughter, Raddix Madden, on Instagram.

They shared their joy and thankfulness while intending to safeguard their daughter's privacy. They gushed, "She has instantly captured our hearts and completed our family. While we are overjoyed to share this news, we also feel a strong instinct to protect our little one's privacy."

In October 2023, the actress, who had just come out of retirement, appeared on "The Tonight Show," sharing heartwarming details about Madden's relationship with their daughter. She revealed that Madden was an exceptional father and sang songs to their daughter, songs she knew by heart. This deeply touched Diaz, who described it as "the sweetest thing ever [...] it kills me."

During an episode of Molly Sims' podcast, "Lipstick on the Rim," Diaz expressed her view that a good night's sleep is essential and shouldn't be compromised for love, suggesting the idea of separate bedrooms. However, she clarified that this was a belief she held before her marriage and that she and Madden do not have separate bedrooms.

She also once shared a tender detail about her daily routine — the last thing she does before bed is share a goodnight kiss with her husband. In an interview, Diaz expressed that marrying Madden was the best thing that ever happened to her. She described him as an exceptional human being and an excellent partner.

Diaz candidly acknowledged the challenges of marriage, emphasizing the necessity for equal effort from both partners. She confessed she had doubted her readiness for marriage, but Madden's unique qualities convinced her. She valued his genuineness and expressed gratitude for his presence in her life.

In another interview, Diaz shared how Madden had taught her to value herself more. On Mother's Day in 2020, Madden posted a heartfelt tribute to Diaz, expressing his gratitude for her and acknowledging her efforts as a mother and a wife.

His post on Instagram read, "Forever grateful to my wife for making me a Father, and taking such good care of us everyday. Best Mom and Wife and Friend. Wether waking up extra early to take care of everyone (3 humans and a dozen animals) or doing all the research and reading to make sure we try our best to be good parents for our daughter, she's a force of nature and I'm very grateful. [sic]"

Madden has a tradition of going on social media on special occasions to celebrate, and his wife's birthday in August 2023 was no exception. Despite being mostly offline, he made it a point to return to express his love for Diaz.

He praised her for her multiple roles — a beautiful wife, best friend, best partner, mother to their little girl, and even her prowess as a wine boss and family chef. His heartfelt message conveyed his deep gratitude for their family and his acknowledgment of being a fortunate man to have Cameron Diaz in his life.