Dolph Lundgren has addressed the criticism he faced after marrying Emma Krokdal in 2023, who is 39 years younger than him.
It’s not unusual for celebrities in their later years to wed partners significantly younger, such as Dick Van Dyke’s marriage to Arlene Silver, who is 54 years old. Despite these relationships often proving successful, those involved can still encounter criticism. However, Lundgren appears unfazed, having previously revealed his approach to maintaining a ‘strong marriage’.
This is Lundgren’s second marriage; he was previously married to Anette Qviberg for nearly two decades.
In an interview with Fox News, the Rocky IV star discussed ignoring negative comments: “You always get haters and people say negative things about you if you’re in the public eye. To me, age is just a number. It doesn’t really matter. I mean we’re all gonna be dead a hundred years from now — most of us anyway — and nothing will matter.”
The 68-year-old further explained: “All that matters is that you enjoy your life, you enjoy your partner.”
“And I think the choice of partner is one of the most important choices you can make in life. I’ve realized that. And I think Emma is the best choice for me, and I don’t care what people say.”
Though Lundgren and Krokdal have been married for only a couple of years, the actor has shared insights into their thriving relationship.
“I have this new thing, I have to give her a hug, a nice big hug, 10 times a day,” he shared with Fox News.
“I try to get a few before lunch,” Lundgren explained. “So I still have some in the bank [throughout the day]. It sounds simple and a little goofy, but doing that neutralizes a lot of disagreements and misunderstandings. And it makes us both feel good. That’s my new recipe now.”
He acknowledged that they do have their ‘disagreements’, but ultimately it’s about making ‘your partner feel good’.
“That phrase [‘happy wife, happy life’] is true. You have to respect each other. You have to compliment each other,” Lundgren concluded.
Lundgren has been candid about his health challenges over the past decade, having been diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2015. Following surgery to remove the tumor, further signs of cancer were detected on his liver and kidneys in 2020. Fortunately, after seeking a second opinion, Lundgren was declared cancer-free in 2024.