After Nearly Two Decades Together, Bo Derek And John Corbett Decided To Get Married In Secret

Feb 22, 2022 by apost team

Bo Derek is one of Hollywood's original bombshells, as she made a splash on the big screen in movies like "10" and "Tarzan, the Ape Man" in the late '70s and '80s. Although she was married to John Derek, who was controversially 30 years her senior, after his death in 1998, the actress began dating fellow actor John Corbett. Best known for his role in the series "Sex and the City" and the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," Corbett is one of Hollywood's most underrated heartthrobs. 

After Derek and Corbett's relationship began on a blind date in 2002, the couple has been inseparable. However, they prefer the quiet of their ranch house in Santa Barbara, California — where they live with their two German Shepherds and four horses — over the glitz and glam of Hollywood. 

Since they've chosen to stay out of the spotlight, it was a real surprise to learn that the couple got married secretly and didn't announce it publicly for over six months! The news was revealed by Corbett in Aug. 2021 while he did a video interview on "The Talk," as he spoke to fellow actor and friend Jerry O'Connell. 

He showed off his wedding ring and explained that the two decided to tie the knot in Dec. 2020, as they didn't want the year to be one that was only remembered for bad things. Clearly thrilled and in love, Corbett was beaming as he revealed the news. Let's take a look at their nearly 20-year relationship and their wedding announcement. 

One of Hollywood's more reserved couples, Derek and Corbett have been together for nearly 20 years, but with how low-key their lives are together, you'd be forgiven for not even realizing they were an item. They often eschew the glitz and glam of Hollywood for a more peaceful life in the country.

The couple first got together in 2002 after they were set up on a blind date by Hollywood agent and Corbett's friend Norby Walters. The "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" star revealed details of their first date to Today in 2015. He explained:

“I said, ‘I’m not dating anyone,’ and (Walters) said, ‘I’ll get you a date, Corbett!’ And he set me up with Bo. I was very intimidated!”

But there was nothing to be scared of, as the two hit it off instantly. Derek told the news outlet that their attraction was immediate, despite the fact she "hadn't dated in five years." She added that she liked Corbett "instantly" and said:

"I kept saying to my friends, 'I'll wait until all the sparks and all that get going.' And it finally happened."

The gorgeous actress also revealed to Fox News in April 2020 that Corbett shouldn't have been intimidated in the first place as their connection was obvious from the start. She said:

"It was just an attraction, a comfort. He makes me laugh all the time. He’s full of life, full of joy. I became attracted to him and I still am. We take things day by day and I think we are still there." 

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In the same interview with Fox News, Derek added that the couple was "starting to get a little more settled," finally. But nonetheless, a wedding didn't seem to be a priority for the pair, and Derek told the news outlet at the time:

“I think when you’re beginning a young family and you’re going to have children and set up this new family tree branch, it’s obviously a wonderful commitment and it’s meaningful. But for us in our lives, it hasn’t been yet."

For a while, the gorgeous couple appeared to be on the same page when it came to marriage and in fact, Corbett even publicly spoke out against it! In a 2016 interview with HuffPost, he explained that the secret to healthy relationships is not getting married.

“Don’t get married,” he explained in the interview. “I have a lot of friends that get divorces. It becomes this whole thing. I think the secret is just enjoy being together.”

Well, things change quickly, and by Dec. 2020, Derek and Corbett seem to have changed their minds when they decided to get hitched! Corbett revealed the news to his friend Jerry O'Connell when he appeared in a video interview on "The Talk" in Aug. 2021. Corbett began by explaining that he had spoken to O'Connell for two hours a few days prior and completely forgot to mention that he and Derek got married. He said:

“Jerry I can’t believe that I forgot to tell you that around Christmastime we got married. Bo and I got married!”  

O'Connell and his co-host instantly congratulated Corbett as they erupted into applause before Corbett went on to say:

"We’re pretty private people, we didn’t make an announcement, all our friends and family knew but this is the first time either one of us has said anything publicly about it because really we haven’t had an opportunity. So, you’re my buddy and now I guess I’m telling all of America, or the world.”  

Corbett explained that after nearly 20 years they decided to get married, as they "didn't want 2020 to be that thing that everybody looks back at and hated," and they wanted to get "one nice thing out of it." Just as they've kept their relationship low-key for the last 20 or so years, it seems the couple has done the same for their nuptials! 

Mere months before the couple tied the knot, Derek spoke to Entertainment Tonight and revealed just what she loves so much about her now-husband. She said:

"It's that twinkle in his eye, that humor. He has a lot of joy in him and I feed off of it. I just love it. And the simplest things can make him so happy, so he makes my day brighter because of that, too. And he's got a wicked sense of humor."

That kind of love is definitely worth holding on to. Congratulations to the happy couple! We look forward to hopefully seeing more of them together publicly, and perhaps if they ever give the world a little more information about their special day. However, knowing them and their love for the quiet life, we're not sure when that might be! 

What do you think about John Corbett and Bo Derek getting married after nearly 20 years together? What about the fact that they kept it a secret for over six months? Pass this on to those you know so they can read about it too!