Hollywood age-gap relationships have long sparked whispers and controversy – most recently when Leonardo DiCaprio was rumored to be dating a model 29 years his junior.
The 48-year-old Titanic star sparked public outrage when he was snapped sitting with 19-year-old model Eden Polani at an event in Los Angeles on January 31 – prompting sources close to the star to vehemently deny that the pair were involved in any kind of romantic relationship.
But while Leo and Eden’s alleged romance may have been met with fury from social media – and beyond – there are numerous celebrity couples who are still proving to the world that age really is nothing more than a number with their lasting age-gap relationships.
From David Foster, 72, and Katharine McPhee, 38, to Michael Douglas, 78, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, 53, there is no shortage of couples who have overcome the distance in ages to enjoy enduring romances.
From 34-year to 10-year gaps, FEMAIL reveals the Hollywood couples that continue to prove they pay no attention to age.
Eden, 19, and DiCaprio, 48, sparked furious backlash after speculations grew that the two were dating, despite the whopping 29-year-age gap
DiCaprio and the model sparked fierce backlash after they were pictured together at an even in LA on January 31.
Amid furious controversy over the alleged 29-year age-gap romance, Eden deleted her own Instagram account.
The actor’s rumored love interest deleted her Instagram account after facing outrage because of their alleged 29-year age gap romance.
Eden – who was seen jetting into New York alone on Tuesday – took her official Instagram account down, just hours after a source close to the actor furiously denied that the pair are ‘dating.’
Speaking to DailyMail.com, the insider slammed rumors of a relationship between the pair after they were pictured together at a music party in Los Angeles on January 31.
On Tuesday morning, she shared an image taken from what appears to be a New York City hotel on her Instagram Stories, tagging the location as ‘New York’ and writing: ‘Long time no see.’
However, just over an hour after she shared the photo – amid fierce outrage that erupted over her so-called romance with the DiCaprio – Eden had mysteriously removed the photo.
On Tuesday, sources close to Leo hit back at claims that the pair were dating after they were pictured close to each other at a party, though they did not comment on whether there had ever been any romantic connection between them.
They said: ‘They were seated next to each other at a music-listening party. There were a number of people at that event.’
Age is just a number! David Foster, 72, and 38-year-old Katharine McPhee: 34 years
Singer Katharine McPhee and the legendary music industry executive, David Foster have constantly hit back at chatter about their age difference
The couple insist that their connection is stronger than any issues a difference in age would present
The singer and legendary music industry executive initially sparked dating rumors after being spotted together in 2017.
Their romance brought on fierce scrutiny due to their large age gap.
The couple first met in 2006 during Katharine’s American Idol stint. She was previously married to Nick Cokas, although they divorced in 2016.
They shocked the public when they announced their engagement in 2018.
‘People always make the reference with Kat and I with the age difference, but I’ve always said there’s so many things that can bring a marriage down, and age difference is just one of them,’ Foster told People ‘There’s so many things that can go wrong. We think we have it pretty together.’
Last year, the smitten lovebirds welcomed their son Rennie David, aged one, into their lives.
McPhee often treats fans to playful snaps of the couple, and sometimes gives the world a glimpse at the life they enjoy with their son
Despite the fierce criticism they have faced, the couple chooses to ignore it and frequently shares a loved up display.
Showing her love for her partner in June, the Smash star wrote a gushing message about Foster as she stated: ‘Happy Father’s to the man @davidfoster who loves me like I could have only dreamed of & who made me complete in life by making me a mommy. I love our little family. I love our big family.
‘You have NEVER complained over how your life is slightly different now. Well… you only complain that you can’t stay up late watching TV in bed but how can I blame you -that’s your favorite thing. You’ve only made bringing Rennie into the world an absolute joy for me. To many more adventures baby! I love you to the moon and back.’
Speaking about the pair’s age gap on Dr. Berlin’s Informed Pregnancy Podcast, McPhee stated: ‘We all have the ability to label things and to look at something for the way that it looks or face value and make a judgment. So I totally get the judgment initially, but things are never as they appear, things are never exactly as they appear and I’m in love with our love story and that’s all that matters.’
Nothing can stand in the way of true love! Dane Cook, 50, and 24-year-old Kelsi Taylor: 27 years
Comedic actor Dane Cook, 50, became engaged to his 24-year-old girlfriend Kelsi Taylor after several years together in July. Seen in 2019
Cook has ignored backlash regarding the romance ever since new of the relationship went public. Seen in 2019
When the actor met Kelsi, he wasn’t going to let anything stand in his way of true love, not even a 27-year age difference.
Dane began dating the Pilates instructor when she was just 18 years old, sparking furious backlash.
In June, one TikTok user took to the platform to slam the Good Luck Chuck actor for his decision to enter a relationship with the 18-year-old teen.
Natanial reacted to Dane’s bio on the video-sharing platform, which at the time read: ‘coming of age against my will.’
The TikToker ranted: ‘Has anyone else noticed that since he started dating a teenager, Dane Cook has been trying to pretend he’s a teenager too? Look at that. “Growing up against my will.” What do you mean by “growing up”, you are 50 years old! Your girlfriend is the one growing up against your will,’
The actor has since changed his bio, which now says ‘fighter.’
Dane paid no attention to the scrutiny as he proved he was in it for the long haul with Kelsi as he proposed to her in 2022.
Speaking to People about the romantic moment, the Employee of the Month actor also called Kelsi his ‘best friend’ and ‘the woman who I’ve shared some of the greatest times of my life with.’
Cook said he was happy to ‘start the next chapter our of lives together. I was also thinking of how absolutely stunning she looked.’
The two have been together for a whopping seven years, as they continue to flaunt their love.
Love at first sight! Michael Douglas, 78, and 53-year-old Catherine Zeta-Jones claim their 25-year age difference has never bothered them
Golden couple: Michael Douglas and his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones might share the same birthday, but their age gap stands at 25 years
The Zorro actress has repeatedly said she never thought much about the age difference between her and her husband
The 25-year age gap couple has been together for 25 years, and even share the same the birthday.
The lovebirds first laid eyes on each other at the Deauville American Film Festival in 1998, however, their first conversation was not as successful as their relationship has been.
The Basic Instinct actor told The Jonathan Ross Show in 2016 that the pair started talking at the premiere of the Mask of Zorro: ‘I said to her after about half an hour: “You know, I’m going to be the father of your children”.’
The actor explained that the bold pick up line prompted Catherine the end the conversation, and she even left the event early.
The next day, Douglas apologized by sending flowers to her.
Soon after, the couple began dating and tied the knot in 2000.
They now share two children, Carys, 19, and Dylan, 22.
Catherine said her family doesn’t care about the age difference between her husband and her
At the 2019 SAG Awards, Douglas said the attraction between him and Catherine had been instantaneous: ‘She looked straight into my eyes, and that was it.’
And just like her husband, Catherine has remained adamant on her stance that she never saw an issue with the age difference.
‘Historically, older men and younger women have been together. When my mother was telling me about men and telling me the facts of life, she never actually put an age bracket on it,’ she once said.
She said her family members did not care about the couple’s age gap either.
‘And it’s so funny, because Michael and my parents are the same age. So, my parents, whenever they see us together, never even question that there was a 25-year age difference,’ she said.
The couple briefly separated in 2013 to ‘work things out’, but were back together within a year, with Catherine saying in 2021 that the constant to their relationship was ‘love and respect,’ and that the pair never lost their sense of humor.
From eternal bachelor to family man! George Clooney, 61, and 44-year-old Amal Clooney: 17 years
George Clooney admitted he thought his wife Amal Alamuddin Clooney would not be interested in her because he was older than her – pictured in 2021
Clooney admitted it had been ‘humbling; to find the person he wanted to be with aged 52 – pictured in 2016
The actor had built reputation as a forever bachelor, that is until he met the love of his life, International law and human rights Lebanese-British barrister Amal Alamuddin in 2013
The duo started out as friends, but it wasn’t long until they were smitten with each other.
They eventually tied the knot it 2014, despite their 17-year age difference.
And while the two overcame their age gap, the actor admitted it was an issue at the start of their relationship.
He admitted that he doubted Amal would want to pursue a romance with him because of nearly-two-decade gap.
‘Well, I liked her, but I didn’t want to jump the shark on it, I couldn’t tell if she liked me because I’m 17 years older than her. So she might have thought I was grandpa, I don’t know,’ he told Howard Stern in 2020.
And while her feelings for the actor took her by surprise, Clooney was even more shocked it took him 52 years to find the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life.
During the 2015 Golden Globes, the Ocean’s Eleven star gave an emotional speech that credited his wife as he recieved the Cecil B. DeMille Award for outstanding contributions to the film industry.
‘It’s a humbling thing to find someone you love, even better when you’ve been waiting your whole life—especially when your life’s been 53 years,’ he said.
‘Amal, whatever alchemy it is that brought us together, I couldn’t be more proud to be your husband,’ he added.
Two years later, he told The Hollywood Reporter in 2017: ‘Sometimes in life, it doesn’t happen on your schedule, but you find the person that you were always supposed to be with. That’s how I feel, and I know that’s how Amal feels.’
The lovebirds are continuing to defy the odds in the celebrity realm of relationships and are raising their twins Ella and Alexander away from the spotlight.
Just ‘don’t think’ about it! Heidi Klum, 49, and 33-year-old Tom Kaulitz: 17 years
Heidi Klum and the d musician Tom Kaulitz started dating in 2018, got engaged within eight months of dating
Four years on from their wedding, the couple are as happy as ever, and documenting their married life on Instagram, where the model also shares sneak peaks into their ‘date nights’
The model and musician first sparked dating rumors in 2108, and just eight months later, they were engaged, before marrying a year later.
When they first made their relationship official in 2018, they faced fierce criticism due to their 17-year age gap.
Heidi addressed their age difference in an interview with InStyle magazine.
She said: ‘Lots of people are questioning that and asking about it. That’s really the only time when age seems to be shoved in my face and I have to give an answer for it.’
But, she said she did not see an issue about the drastic age difference and explained that she doesn’t understand the public’s obsession with it.
The model and her husband have said they don’t care about the criticism they have faced due to their age difference
‘I don’t really think about it that much otherwise. You have to just live a happy life without worrying too much about what people think because worrying is only going to give you more wrinkles,’ she said.
The model once again opened up about their age difference in 2019.
She told She Knows that when the smitten duo first announced their love, it was not well-received.
‘A lot of people were, you know, not giving us the positive vibes when we first started dating because I’m 16 years older than him.
‘But I feel like, there too, if it feels right when you close your door at home and you know what you have together, I think that is the most important thing,’ she added.
Now, the couple frequently take to their social media to show how happy they are and give their followers a sneak peak into their loved-up life.
Love has no age! Jeffrey Dean Morgan, 56, and 40-year-old Hilarie Burton: 16 years
Instant love: Actress Hilarie Burton has admitted she was instantly attracted to her now-husband Jeffrey Dean Morgan when they meet in 2009
The real deal: Hilarie was 27 when she met The Walking Dead star – who was in his forties
The One Tree Hill star was just 27 years old when she met fellow actor Jeffrey, who was 43 at the time, and the duo soon entered a relationship that sparked fierce conversations and continues to last.
In her new memoir The Rural Diaries: Love, Livestock, And Big Life Lessons Down On Mischief Farm, the actress opened up about the beginning of her relationship.
‘When he came along, he was so sure of himself,’ Burton remembered, of the night she was introduced to her now-husband by her former One Tree Hill costar Danneel Ackles while at an Irish pub in Los Angeles in 2009.
‘I was not a girl anyone pursued. I’ve always been alpha,’ Hilarie continued. ‘And Jeffrey was like, “You’re going to be my girlfriend!” It was so nice to be pursued. He’s a cute dude! And I liked that he knew exactly who he was. His confidence was intoxicating.’
The pair adored each other and were dating for a short period of time before she got pregnant with the couple’s first baby, son Augustus, who was born in 2010.
Happy family: Over the past decade, the couple have welcomed two children and ever decided to have a secret wedding in 2019
Soon after he welcomed into the world, the new family of three moved to a cabin north of New York City.
‘The ease in which Jeffrey and I were able to live together was a surprise,’ Burton told People magazine. ‘I think it was really shocking to my family members and friends, because I was always the girl who was very cautious. I’d thought my entire life out. But it worked out.’
In 2018, the lovebirds welcomed another child, daughter George Virginia.
And in 2019, they surprised fans once again as they revealed they secretly tied the knot, after being together for a decade.
‘Jeffrey is the same guy now that he was when I met him. He knew 100 percent who he was and that was a delight. Because I could be the one who could experiment. Being with someone so solid allowed me to grow,’ Burton said of her husband shortly after the ceremony.
Nothing will stand in the way! Ellen DeGeneres, 65, and 50-year-old Portia de Rossi: 15 years
The pair have been smitten ever since they met in 2004. Once same-sex marriage was passed in 2008, Ellen was quick to propose to her longtime partner, with the duo saying ‘I do’
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi haven’t felt any effects of their 15-year age gap as their love continues to remain strong
In 2004, the talk show host and Portia met backstage during an award show.
At the time, the former actress was dating director Francesca Gregorini, however when she laid eyes on Eleen, she called it quits.
The couple has been together ever since, despite their 15-year age difference.
When the same-sex marriage was passed in California in 2008, Ellen proposed with a three-carat pink diamond ring.
The lovebirds tied the knot at their Beverly Hills home and have stood by each other’s side ever since.
August 16 saw DeGeneres mark the couple’s 14th year as a married couple
They have even built a real estate profile and adopted four dogs and three cats.
When speaking about the secret to their lasting marriage, De Rossi previously said: ‘We’re just really good friends and we talk about everything and we never, ever, lie to each other, like not even the tiniest lies and she’s the only person I want to hang out with. She is my best friend and I just want to be with her all the time.’
Meanwhile, DeGeneres has made it clear that their love is one that will last after she said: ‘I’m going to be with her until the day I die and I know that.’
It doesn’t have to stay professional! Matt Boomer, 45, and 59-year-old Simon Halls: 14 years
The actor and publicist have been together since Matt hired Simon in 2008
Despite both of the A-lister’s success, the smitten duo remain extremely private
The actor and publicist have been together since Matt hired Simon in 2008.
The couple had an instant connection and began dating shortly after, and although the White Collar actor had to find a new publicist, he walked away with the love of his life.
Despite both of the A-lister’s success, the smitten duo remain extremely private.
When rumors of their romance first began to swirl, fans were quick to point out their age difference, however, it seems as though the lovebirds never paid much attention to it as they went on to tie the knot in 2011.
The couple had an instant connection and began dating shortly after, and although the White Collar actor had to find a new publicist, he walked away with the love of his life
When rumors of their romance first began to swirl, fans were quick to point out their age difference, however, the lovebirds never paid much attention to it as they tied the knot in 2011
However, because of their desire to shield both their relationship and their three sons from the spotlight, they didn’t reveal they had wed until three years after the fact.
The actor later admitted that the pair look towards his grandparents as inspiration for a long-lasting relationship.
Matt told People: ‘[My grandparents] just celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary, so I always look to them and I see how every day they express their love for each other and I try to follow. They’ve set a pretty good model for me to follow.’
He also explained he wanted his children to have a ‘normal’ childhood, away from the limelight and wasn’t planning on putting them on stage anytime soon.
Friends to lovers! Ryan Reynolds, 46, and 35-year-old Blake Lively: 11 years
Ryan Reynolds, 46 and Blake Lively, 35, were friends before they started dating in 2011, and have not addressed their ten year age gap
Reynolds has credited not taking yourself too seriously as one of the reasons for his marriage’s success
The actor and actress first met while working together on The Green Latern.
At the time, Ryan was married to Scarlett Johansson, while Blake was dating her Gossip Girl co-star Penn Badgley.
A year after both of their relationships collapsed, the actor and actress made headlines with their romance.
Despite their 11-year gap, the pair were smitten and avoided any comments directed towards their relationship.
In 2012, the duo tied the knot and have now become known for teasing each other on social media.
The couple, who share three daughters, have never made an issue of their age difference – pictured in 2022
Speaking of his successful marriage to Extra magazine, Reynolds said: ‘We really like each other. We really liked each other before as friends beforehand. We like each other even more so now.
And in 2021, he told Entertainment Weekly: ‘We don’t take each other too seriously, but we’re also friends. Falling in love is great, but do you like each other?’
‘We’ve always liked each other. We grow together. We learn from each other. So yeah, I’m lucky to have a buddy in that,’ Reynolds said, suggesting their age difference was no issue.
Forever smitten, despite the gap! Chris Pratt, 43, and Katherine Schwarzenegger, 33: 10-year
The actor’s divorce from Anna Faris broke fans’ hearts, but when Chris found love with Katherine, many were quick to criticize their 10-year gap
The couple began dating in 2018, which was just one year after Chris and Anna confirmed they were going their separate ways after eight years of marriage
The actor’s divorce from Anna Faris broke fans’ hearts, but when Chris found love with Katherine, many were quick to criticize their 10-year gap.
The couple began dating in 2018, which was just one year after Chris and Anna confirmed they were going their separate ways after eight years of marriage.
A year later, in 2019, the duo announced they were getting engaged. Six months later, they tied the knot.
Shortly after the Jurassic World star and the writer exchanged vows, he credited their whirlwind romance to fate.
A year later, in 2019, the duo announced they were getting engaged. Six months later, they tied the knot and now have two children
The actor told Entertainment Tonight: ‘Aww, man, I’m lucky, God is good. I feel really good, really blessed. Everything is great.’
‘We met at church. It was a lot of kismet, and a lot of connections, but that was where we met,’ he told Extra in 2019.
He then said he was ‘so grateful’ to have found the love of his life.
The actor told Entertainment Tonight: ‘Aww, man, I’m lucky, God is good. I feel really good, really blessed. Everything is great.’
The smitten duo have credited their strong connection to their great communication skills.
In 2020, the writer and Guardians of the Galaxy star welcomed their first child into the world.
Now, they share two children and are still going strong.
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