They say age is just a number. But when you meet and greet couples with an unusual age difference, it becomes everybody’s pain point. That trigger invariably amplifies when it comes to celebrities, who are always in the public eye and often subject to staunch scrutiny. Add to that when you have a relationship where the woman is older than the man, you have the recipe for cynics, skeptics, and pessimists.
Truth is marriage doesn’t come with a manual, and compatibility lies not in the numbers, but shared life goals, values, attraction, interests, and a desire to make the relationship work. And an array of A-listers across the world, from Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas to Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, have proved that a big age gap doesn’t mean a marriage is destined to fail, but the opposite.
Priyanka Chopra & Nick Jonas: 11 years
In September 2016, Nick famously slid into Priyanka’s DMs on social media, and the future favourite couple was born. Two years in, the duo got engaged. Their whirlwind romance culminated with a three-day wedding celebration in Jodhpur, India. The festivities combined both Christian and Hindu marriage traditions, when Priyanka was 36 and Nick was 25. Priyanka’s mom wasn’t one for the criticism over it, who said, “Age-difference immaterial. Dil, dimag milne chahiye.”
Shahid Kapoor & Mira Rajput: 14 years
Shahid and Mira’s relationship is what our parents would approve. The couple was set-up for an arranged marriage in 2014 by their families. Despite the 14-year age gap, the couple instantly hit it off in the first meeting after what was a 7-hour-long conversation. “When it is meant to be, nothing can stop it,” Shahid said when asked about their age gap. The couple tied the knot in a low-key celebration back in July 2015 and has been giving us #MarriageGoals since then.
Saif Ali Khan & Kareena Kapoor Khan: 10 years
Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan’s love story began during the shooting of Tashan in 2008. The actress got married to the Nawab of Pataudi in 2012. From their public displays of affection and respect to their two beautiful children, the couple has been idolized for fans everywhere. When asked about their age and faith difference, she stressed that the essence of their relationship lies in their mutual affection and companionship.
Ranbir Kapoor & Alia Bhatt: 11 years
Bollywood’s new sweethearts, Alia and Ranbir’s relationship timeline wasn’t your typical boy-meets-girl romance. The couple reportedly crossed paths for the first time on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black in 2005, where a 9-year-old Alia is said to have instantly fallen for Ranbir who was serving as assistant director at the time. They relationship started during the filming of Ayan Mukerji’s Brahmastra trilogy, which blossomed amidst the lockdown when they began living together. They tugged everyone’s heartstrings when they shared pictures from their intimate home wedding in April 2022, attended by close friends and family. Speaking of their fairytale marriage, Ranbir mentioned, “I’m so lucky I married somebody I’m so close to as a friend.”
Katrina Kaif & Vicky Kaushal: 5 years
Vicky and Katrina’s scripted interaction at an award ceremony sparked a genuine cinematic adoration. The affair blossomed when the duo reconnected at a party hosted by Karan Johar. They keep their relationship private to let it flourish without public eye. The couple eventually sealed the deal in a private multi-cultural wedding ceremony in 2021 at Six Senses Fort Barwara, Rajasthan, surrounded by friends and family. Post-marriage, Vicky and Katrina have continued to support and express admiration for one another.
Kiara Advani & Sidharth Malhotra: 7 years
Call them the Bollywood’s sweethearts if you will. Their love story began on the sets of Shershaah, released in 2021. During her appearance on Koffee With Karan Season 8, Kiara revealed that Sidharth popped the question in Rome. On February 7, 2023, they got married in a dreamy ceremony at Suryagarh Palace, Rajasthan. Kiara’s breathtaking bridal entry and Sidharth’s reaction still live in our heads rent-free. The still-so-in-love couple are parents-to-be.
Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds: 11 Years
Blake and Ryan met on the set of Green Lantern early in 2010, when she was just 22 years old and he was 33. The subsequent year the two started dating and were married in September of 2012. Over the years, the adorable A-listers have been adored not just for their unwavering romance but also the lightheartedness of their relationship as they are often seen playing pranks with each other. Today, they are proud parents to three daughters.
George Clooney & Amal Clooney: 17 Years
When the “eternal” bachelor George Clooney announced his engagement to international human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin, fans were pleasantly surprised. George revealed, “There’s a thing about finding the person that you needed to find, particularly at a certain age, and everything from then on is easy.” The 52-year-old George and 35-year-old Amal walked into their happily-ever-after as their tied the knot in a lavish wedding in Venice. Today, the lovebirds share two beautiful children together and appear on every red carpet affectionately arm-in-arm.
Jay-Z & Beyoncé: 12 Years
Beyoncé was just 18 and Jay-Z was 19 when they first met. The power couple got married in a top-secret, super-intimate ceremony on April 4, 2008, and have been together for over two decades. From creating art together to battling infidelity rumors, they have inspired fans everywhere with their mutual love and professional respect for each other. “Crazy in Love”, indeed!
Michael Douglas & Catherine Zeta-Jones: 25 Years
Although 25 years apart, Catherine and Michael happen to share the same birthday on September 25. The pair first met in 1996 during a film festival. After three years into a relationship, Michael popped the question in 1999. In the same year, the actress gave birth to their son Dylan, and the two were married in November 2000. They briefly separated in 2013 but soon rekindled their relationship and are still going strong.
