Patrick Dempsey Says He Knew Wife Jillian Was ‘The One’ the ‘Moment’ He Saw Her: ‘I Just Had That Feeling’ (Exclusive)

As a devoted husband and family man with a love of speed and adventure, it’s no wonder we’ve been swooning over Patrick Dempsey for over two decades.

Now he’s been named PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive 2023. “I was totally shocked, and then I started laughing, like, this is a joke, right? I was always the bridesmaid!” says the Ferrari star, 57, upon hearing the news. “I completely forgot about it and never even thought about being in this position. So my ego is good.”

Dempsey’s wife, Jillian, a makeup artist and founder of her own clean beauty line, “was shocked, too,” he says, laughing. And when it comes to their children, Talula (21) and 16-year-old twins Sullivan and Darby, the actor was ready for a lot of teasing.

“They’ll just make fun of me, make fun of me and come up with every reason why I shouldn’t do it,” he adds. “Good thing they keep me young.”

Sexiest Man Alive Patrick Dempsey Teases He’s Been In An Awkward Phase ‘Almost My Whole Life’

Patrick and Jillian Dempsey. Patrick Dempsey/instagram

Married on July 31, 1999, Dempsey says he knew Jillian was the one “the moment I laid eyes on her. I walked into where she was working, looked across the room at her and was delighted.”

But it was on the trip from Maine to New York that he realized he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

“She was hot to travel with so I thought that was good,” he said Grey’s Anatomy recalls the alum. “I like the cold and the rain, and she likes the sun and the beach. We are complete opposites and I have to say, she will make me do it with… I never want to do it and 9 times out of 10 she is absolutely right. So she puts up with me.”

All covers for the sexiest man alive

Patrick Dempsey is PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive 2023.

Carter Smith

For more on the 2023 Sexiest Man Alive, check out this week’s issue peopleon newsstands on Friday.

As a husband, “I just try to be a better person every day and be present,” Dempsey says. “And listen to the needs of the family and provide from that perspective.”

The two share “a good sense of humor, and she’s really hardworking,” he adds. “She always inspired me.”

Ferrari it will be in theaters on Christmas Day. For more information about the Dempsey Center, visit www.dempseycenter.org.

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Source: HIS Education