Seven Things We Can Learn From Meryl Streep’s Nearly 50-Year Marriage

When discussing actresses who are masters of their craft, Meryl Streep is one of the names that often come to mind. She’s talented, versatile, and her career has spanned nearly six decades. The 77-year-old Streep has a Tony Award nomination and three Oscars under her belt and deservedly so. However, she has equally excelled in her role as wife and mother. She’s been married to sculptor Don Gummer since 1978, and together they’ve raised four children and, in spite of being under the celebrity spotlight, their relationship has never been stronger. 

It’s a remarkable feat for anybody to be married to the same person for 50 years, but given how common fleeting relationships are in Hollywood, it’s extraordinary that someone of the esteemed actress’s stature has been able to maintain so much stability in hers. Here are seven lessons that we can learn from Streep about love, life, and happiness.

Be yourself

Streep lives a relatively private life, and this is one of the things that has kept her grounded. It makes sense, as she got into acting because she had a passion for the craft, not because she wanted to grace the cover of magazines. She has managed to achieve fame and success without seeking the attention that typical celebrities crave. As a result, she has built up a lot of goodwill. Streep is seen as a fundamentally decent and authentic person. This is also demonstrated through her acting. Rather than being the same type of character in every movie, she embraces the challenges that come through accepting a variety of roles.