Michelle Yeoh has shared insights into the key to a successful marriage after being engaged for nearly two decades.
The Malaysian-born Oscar winner discussed what she considers essential for a long-lasting and healthy marriage following her second wedding anniversary with husband, Jean Todt.
Yeoh and the former Ferrari CEO from France were married in July 2023, marking the culmination of a 19-year engagement.
The couple’s story began when they met on June 4, 2004, in Shanghai and became engaged shortly after, on July 26 of the same year.
After their initial wedding in Switzerland, the couple reaffirmed their commitment with a second ceremony in December in Yeoh’s hometown of Ipoh, Malaysia.
“19 years and YES!! We are married!! Thanks to our ‘families’ who love us for all these years. We love you and here’s to many more to come,” she expressed on social media after the wedding.
Now joyfully married, Yeoh reflected on their relationship during an exclusive interview with PEOPLE as she prepares for her lead voice role in the English-language version of the Chinese movie Ne Zha 2.
The 63-year-old actress, known for her role in Wicked, stated, “We’ve been together for 21 years, and we’ve been married for two.”
Describing her husband as ‘a romantic’, Yeoh shared the key to their successful relationship: “What we say is, ‘Every day should be a celebration’.
“Why do we wait for a special day?”
The star of Everything Everywhere All at Once mentioned that Todt does not ‘count by years’.
“He tells me we’ve been together 7,000-[something] days. And if I really ask, he’ll give me hours and minutes too,” she explained.
To highlight their connection, the couple even specified the number of days they were together when they got married.
“Today after 6,992 days on 27th July 2023 in Geneva, surrounded by loving family and friends, we are so happy to celebrate this special moment together,” read the note on their wedding program.
Yeoh praised her 79-year-old husband for his support in her career, noting, “I am so blessed because he’s so supportive of what I do. I love my work. This is my passion.
“He never turns around and says you spend a lot of time away from me, which I have sometimes, but he’s very understanding.”
Yeoh also mentioned that she was traveling on their anniversary on July 27, saying, “On the day of our anniversary, I actually was flying.”
Despite being apart, Yeoh celebrated the occasion by posting on Instagram: “Happy Anniversary with love from Paris,” alongside a photo of them holding hands.
Yeoh’s latest film is set to be released in theaters on August 22 this year.