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A complete timeline of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick's decades-long love story and marriage

Erin McDowell   

A complete timeline of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick's decades-long love story and marriage
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick met through the New York theater scene in the 1990s and are now married with three children.Ron Davis/Walter McBride/Getty Images
  • Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick met through the New York theater scene in 1991.
  • The pair married in a surprise ceremony at a New York synagogue with Parker in a black dress.
  • They've now been married for over 20 years and have three children.

1984-1991: Prior to dating Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker was in a relationship with Robert Downey Jr.

1984-1991: Prior to dating Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker was in a relationship with Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. and Sarah Jessica Parker attend the London premiere of "L.A. Story" on May 10, 1991.      Tom Wargacki/WireImage/Getty Images

The pair met when they were just 18 years old and their relationship progressed quickly — they moved in together after just a few weeks of dating. Parker stood by Robert Downey Jr.'s side while he was struggling with addiction and drug abuse. However, the pair finally called it quits on their seven-year relationship in 1991.

"I liked to drink, and I had a drug problem, and that didn't jibe with Sarah Jessica, because it is the furthest thing from what she is," Downey told Parade in 2008. "She provided me a home and understanding. She tried to help me. She was so miffed when I didn't get my act together… I was in love with Sarah Jessica, and love clearly was not enough."

1991: Shortly after her public breakup with Downey, Sarah Jessica Parker was introduced to "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" actor Matthew Broderick.

1991: Shortly after her public breakup with Downey, Sarah Jessica Parker was introduced to "Ferris Bueller
Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker in 1993.      Ron Davis/Getty Images

In the early '90s, Parker's brothers Toby and Pippin started a Broadway theater company called Naked Angels, and Broderick got involved. He was then introduced to Parker, a fellow Broadway enthusiast who got her big break when she starred in "Annie" as a teenager.

"Matthew and I come from a different time and place. When we were young people, all we ever wanted was to be good working actors. We didn't think of fame or money because, honestly, money was never part of the dream," Parker told Harper's Bazaar in 2013. "It was to work in theater, to be around those people whose work I was in total awe of."

1992: Months after they met, Broderick finally called to ask Parker out on a date.

1992: Months after they met, Broderick finally called to ask Parker out on a date.
Sarah Jessica Parker in 1992.      Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images

"He left a very charming, very self-effacing message on the machine," Parker told the New York Times in 1996. "You know, 'Hi, it's Matthew Broderick.' You had to use your last name."

They later went to a movie.

"I do remember first meeting her," Broderick said in 2012 of their first date, according to E! Online. "[...] And I still remember very clearly seeing her walk down the street toward the movie theater … it's very unique, because I wouldn't remember most people the first time I saw them come down the street. [But] I remember it as clear as day."

1993: The couple, pictured together at the Oscars, were both smitten from the very beginning.

1993: The couple, pictured together at the Oscars, were both smitten from the very beginning.
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick in 1993.      Ke.Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images

"He's so bright, so handsome, I think he's the most handsome man I've seen in my life," Parker told the Los Angeles Times in 1996. "And he inspires me. I'm mad for him, totally."

1996: Parker and Broderick acted opposite each other in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" on Broadway.

1996: Parker and Broderick acted opposite each other in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" on Broadway.
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick in 1996.      Dave Allocca/DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Above, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick can be seen celebrating their birthdays, which are only a few days apart on March 25 and March 21, respectively. Broderick is three years older.

May 19, 1997: Parker and Broderick tied the knot in a surprise wedding ceremony.

May 19, 1997: Parker and Broderick tied the knot in a surprise wedding ceremony.
Sarah Jessica Parker in 1997.      Ke.Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images

The couple broke from tradition by surprising their 100 guests with the wedding ceremony at a Lower East Side synagogue – the guests believed they were going to a regular party.

Parker also subverted expectations by wearing a chic black gown by Morgane Le Fay instead of a traditional white wedding dress.

"I never thought about a wedding dress. Never. Had not one daydream about it," she told People in 2018. "At one point I just simply remember thinking, 'God, I really hope he asks me to marry him.' I don't know when or why. It was fairly early on."

Rumor has it the couple and their guests danced the night away to show tunes.

1998: Broderick and Parker were pictured at the premiere of HBO's "Sex and the City." Parker reportedly took the starring role at the urging of her husband.

1998: Broderick and Parker were pictured at the premiere of HBO
Broderick and Parker at the premiere of "Sex and the City."      Dave Allocca/DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

According to E! Online, Broderick encouraged Parker to accept her famous role of Carrie Bradshaw.

Then, a few years later when Parker was accepting her second Golden Globe, she thanked Broderick for having "the courage to let me work with the likes of Chris Noth and John Slattery and John Corbett."

According to a previous article by Insider, Broderick turned down several opportunities to appear on the show opposite his wife, including the role of a "premature ejaculator" in the second season.

October 28, 2002: After five years of marriage, the couple welcomed their first child, James Wilkie Broderick.

October 28, 2002: After five years of marriage, the couple welcomed their first child, James Wilkie Broderick.
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick leave Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City with their first child in 2002.      Evan Agostini/ImageDirect/Getty Images

"If I could revisit one moment in my life, it would be the birth of my children, definitely," Parker told The Edit magazine in 2016. "It's just you and, in my case, my husband, and this child, and it's absolute euphoria."

June 22, 2009: Parker and Broderick welcomed their twin baby girls, Tabitha Hodge Broderick and Marion Loretta Elwell Broderick, via surrogate.

June 22, 2009: Parker and Broderick welcomed their twin baby girls, Tabitha Hodge Broderick and Marion Loretta Elwell Broderick, via surrogate.
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick with their family in 2009.      Robin Layton/Getty Images

"We tried and tried and tried and tried to get pregnant," Parker told Vogue in 2010, "but it just was not to be, the conventional way. I would give birth as often as I could, if I could. I cherished all the milestones, the good and the bad."

Parker and Broderick kept the expectation of their twins largely a secret.

"You can't talk about how you feel about the woman who's carrying your children; you can only talk about it to your husband," she continued.

2010: For high-profile celebrities, the Parker-Brodericks live a relatively normal life in New York City.

2010: For high-profile celebrities, the Parker-Brodericks live a relatively normal life in New York City.
Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, and their three children on October 31, 2010.      Arnaldo Magnani/Getty Images

"We painted our patio furniture ourselves ... I make my children's food myself," Parker told Vogue in 2010. "We put together their high chairs ourselves; we do a lot ourselves! We do our own grocery shopping, we go to the market ourselves, you know? I do my laundry."

August 2013: Parker opened up about how much she still adored Broderick all these years later.

August 2013: Parker opened up about how much she still adored Broderick all these years later.
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick are seen in New York City in 2013.      Raymond Hall/WireImage/Getty Images

"I love Matthew Broderick. Call me crazy, but I love him," the actress told Harper's Bazaar. "We can only be in the marriage we are. We're very devoted to our family and our lives. I love our life. I love that he's the father of my children, and it's because of him that there's this whole other world that I love."

2014: Broderick was supportive when Robert Downey Jr. wanted to reconnect with his former flame.

2014: Broderick was supportive when Robert Downey Jr. wanted to reconnect with his former flame.
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick in 2014.      Walter McBride/Getty Images

Broderick voiced his support after Downey Jr. told Us Weekly "he wanted to catch up" with Parker.

"Of course, he's more than [OK to connect with her] — they're great friends," the actor told Us Weekly. "What would I say? No? Who do you think I am? No, I love Robert Downey and Sarah Jessica Parker so [yes]."

2017: Parker and Broderick celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.

2017: Parker and Broderick celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.
Matthew Broderick, James Wilkie Broderick, Tabitha Hodge Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Marion Loretta Broderick in 2017.      Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic/Getty Images

"It flew by Baby," Parker wrote in a sweet Instagram post. "Good golly I love you. XXX, Your wife."

2019: Parker shared that having a degree of separation in her and Broderick's lives was essential to their marital success.

2019: Parker shared that having a degree of separation in her and Broderick
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick in 2019.      Steven Ferdman/Getty Images

"I know this sounds nuts, but we have lives that allow us to be away and come back together," Parker said in 2018 on Sophia Amoruso's Girlboss Radio podcast. "His work life takes him here, and mine takes me there. In some ways, I think that that's been enormously beneficial because we have so much to share in a way ... anytime that any relationship is hard, it's the point in which you're deciding, is this worth the investment getting through whatever that thing is?"

2020: They planned to appear in a revival of "Plaza Suite" on Broadway.

2020: They planned to appear in a revival of "Plaza Suite" on Broadway.
Matthew Broderick, Elaine Joyce, Sarah Jessica Parker, and the Colonial Theatre General Manager Erica Lynn Schwartz pose for a portrait at an afternoon press conference for "Plaza Suite."      Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe/Getty Images

However, the coronavirus pandemic halted the show and forced the cast and crew to postpone until 2021.

"I was just reminded of how funny and smart and what a great actor she is," Broderick said on SiriusXM's "Quarantined with Bruce," according to Us Weekly. "But, she just, she's very good at it. So, I hope everybody gets to see her do it."

March 21, 2021: For Broderick's 59th birthday, Parker shared a sweet tribute on social media.

March 21, 2021: For Broderick
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick in 1999.      Karl Feile/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

"Happy birthday Husband," she captioned a photo of a lit birthday cake. "We love you and we are oh so happy, grateful you were born. XXX, your SJ and 3 besotted young Broderick's."

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