Julia Roberts has long been a beloved figure in Hollywood, with a career full of box office hits and unforgettable roles. While fans have admired her on-screen charisma for decades, her personal journey to lasting love was filled with a few bumps before she finally met the person who changed everything for her.
Much like her character in Runaway Bride, Julia had her own struggles when it came to settling down. Though she dated and even got engaged to several well-known actors, none of those relationships lasted. Back in 1987, she was first romantically linked to Liam Neeson, but their relationship ended after just a year. She then moved on to Dylan McDermott, with whom she was also reportedly engaged, but that too came to an end. Her next high-profile relationship was with Kiefer Sutherland, but that didn’t last either. After a few heartbreaks, she surprised everyone in 1993 by marrying country singer Lyle Lovett. Unfortunately, that marriage ended just two years later in 1995.
For a while, it seemed like Julia couldn’t find the right partner, despite being one of the most adored stars of her generation. But everything changed in 2000 when she was working on the film The Mexican. That’s where she met Danny Moder, a cinematographer working behind the scenes. Unlike her previous partners, Danny wasn’t a Hollywood celebrity, and that was perfectly fine with Julia. The only complication was that Danny was married at the time to Vera Steimberg. However, his marriage came to an end soon after, and his relationship with Julia began to grow.
In 2002, Julia and Danny got married in a quiet ceremony. Since then, their relationship has stood strong for over two decades. Together, they have three children: twins Hazel and Phinnaeus, and their youngest, Henry. Julia has kept much of her family life private, but in a rare moment of openness during a 2018 interview with Gwyneth Paltrow on the GOOP podcast, she spoke about the impact Danny has had on her life. She described meeting him and marrying him as a “seismic shift”—something that changed her life in an incredibly meaningful way.
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She shared that even after all these years, Danny remains her favorite person. She talked about how much she values his perspective and how they genuinely enjoy spending time together. Their bond, she said, continues to deepen with time, becoming richer and more layered with each passing year.
Julia admitted that marriage is always a bit of a risk because, in the beginning, you can’t know how things will really turn out. You dream of building a home and having kids, but you don’t know the little things—like whether you’ll agree on the same kind of couch or if he’ll be into patterned towels. It’s only when you’re living those moments together that you learn how well you truly fit. Fortunately for Julia and Danny, it all just worked out. She even called marrying Danny the best decision she’s ever made.
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By 2020, close friends and sources described the couple as true soulmates. Despite the passing years, Julia still found Danny incredibly attractive, and he remained completely smitten with her. According to those close to them, they were both deeply committed to making their relationship last, no matter what challenges came their way.
Julia Roberts’ journey to love wasn’t simple or straight, but it led her to a place of lasting happiness. Seeing her and Danny still so in love after all this time is a reminder that sometimes, real love shows up when you least expect it. If you’re a fan of Julia Roberts, this story makes it even easier to cheer her on—not just for her amazing career, but for the beautiful family she’s built behind the scenes.
