Julie Chen Moonves shares marriage advice six years after husband Les’ sexual misconduct scandal

Julie Chen Moonves has shared her advice to those seeking a strong marriage, six years after multiple women accused her husband Leslie Moonves of sexual misconduct, leading to his resignation from CBS.

Speaking with Page Six, she recommended having a ‘forgiving heart’, avoid yelling, and the phrase to tell a partner in the midst of a disagreement.

‘When you know you’re right, don’t dig in,’ Julie told the publication. ‘It’s better just to have a forgiving heart and think, “I’m gonna take a deep breath.”‘

‘Never yell,’ she also suggested.

‘Oh, here’s the best thing,’ she continued. ‘If you’re having a disagreement… here’s what you say to your spouse: “Because it makes me happy.”‘ 

Julie has been married for 20 years to Leslie, the former chairman and CEO of CBS Corporation. They share 15-year-old son Charlie.

Leslie was one of television’s most influential figures, credited for turning around the fortunes of CBS when he took over as entertainment chief in 1995.

He had been one of the highest-paid executives in the nation, making about $70 million a year at the end of his run with the company.

But he rapidly fell from grace in 2018 when allegations surfaced from multiple women who said he subjected them to mistreatment including forced oral sex, groping and retaliation if they resisted.  The allegations spanned three decades.  

He has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex.

Ultimately he resigned from his role. 

‘Untrue allegations from decades ago are now being made against me that are not consistent with who I am. Effective immediately I will no longer be chairman and chief executive officer of CBS,’ Moonves said in a statement announcing his departure.

‘I am deeply saddened to be leaving the company. I wish nothing but the best for the organization, the newly comprised board of directors and all of its employees.’

Julie has been married for 20 years to Leslie, the former chairman and CEO of CBS Corporation; pictured 2017

In the midst of the scandal, Julie shared her solidarity with her spouse in a statement posted to Twitter, writing, ‘I have known my husband, Leslie Moonves, since the late ’90s, and I have been married to him for almost 14 years.

‘Leslie is a good man and a loving father, devoted husband and inspiring corporate leader. He has always been a kind, decent and moral human being. I fully support my husband and stand behind him and his statement.’

While promoting her memoir, But First, God, last year, Julie told People she and her husband ‘leaned’ on one another during the ordeal.

Chen and her husband pictured in 2016

‘We have such a strong bond,’ she said.

‘We leaned on each other and we knew that nothing could break us. It was our love and our foundation that got us through.’