Why Longtime Couple Bo Derek And John Corbett Finally Tied The Knot In 2020

While some long-term couples never plan to marry (like Hollywood power couple Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, who are relationship goals), others have simply made the choice to wait a while before doing so. One such couple, Bo Derek and John Corbett, married around Christmas 2020. The pair first met in 2002 after Corbett's agent set him up on a date with Derek for the Oscars, and were "instantly" attracted to each other (via Today). Over 20 years later, Derek and Corbett are still going strong. But why did they make the decision to tie the knot 18 years into their relationship? The COVID-19 pandemic.

During a 2021 interview on "The Talk," Corbett announced that he and Derek had gotten married the year prior. "After 20 years, we decided to get married; we didn't want 2020 to be that thing that everybody looks back at and hated," Corbett said. "We thought, 'Well, let's get one nice thing out of it.'" The "Sex and the City" actor explained that he and Derek are very "private," so the only people who knew about their marriage before then were their close friends and family.

In August 2020, just about five months before their private wedding, Derek told Fox News that she and Corbett had no plans to get married. "I think when you're beginning a young family and you're going to have children and set up this new family tree branch, [marriage is] obviously a wonderful commitment and it's meaningful. But for us in our lives, it hasn't been yet," Derek explained. Moving at a pace that is best for both parties is one green flag to look for in a relationship, so it is no wonder that Derek and Corbett seem to be quite happy together all these years later.

"10" star Bo Derek and husband John Corbett have been together for quite some time, but usually keep the specifics of their relationship (like their 2020 marriage) under wraps. An insider told People in 2021 that Derek and Corbett live a "quiet ranch life" in California. "They live on this amazing property in Santa Ynez ... They are both big animal lovers. They have many horses and adopted dogs," they said of Derek and Corbett's private lifestyle. "Bo is involved in local charities. They support local businesses and are great people. As a couple, they are adorable. They always hold hands and look very happy."

Despite their semi-reclusive nature, the pair always take the time to gush about each other in rare interviews — and sharing why their relationship is still so successful in the process. During her 2020 conversation with Fox News, Derek spoke about how Corbett still makes her laugh. "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," she said. 

The spark is still there for Corbett as well, even decades later. "We still hold hands; we still have barbecues with friends a couple times a week," Corbett told Closer in 2018. "[And Bo] still laughs at all my jokes even though she's heard them a million times. We just enjoy each other. I'm sad when she's not around." Derek went on to add that, while they love to travel, their favorite place to be is home. "That's where the romance is," she said.