Peter Gallagher reflects on the wise advice he once received from his mother.
The 68-year-old actor recalled the The New York Times‘ Modern love podcast that his mom scolded him after he broke up with his now-wife Paula Hardwood while they were dating.
He told how his mother told him: “Go back to her and apologize. She is a beautiful young woman and every problem you have with her you will have with anyone because they are your problems. So make damn sure you figure out what’s going on with you before you start switching partners like socks – I don’t think she said socks – but she said that was the point.”
From left: Peter Gallagher and Paula Harwood.
Jason Crowley/BFA.com
Peter Gallagher explains why his 41-year marriage to wife Paula Harwood is ’embarrassing’
“Before you throw this relationship away, explore what’s really bothering you and I bet you’ll find it,” he remembered his mother’s words. “That’s your problem. A problem you’re going to have no matter who you’re with.”
The advice turned out to be correct with OC Alum because he and Harwood recently celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary and share two children: daughter Kathryn, 30, and son James, 27.
As for how he knows the relationship will work today, Gallagher said, “It’s like faith. It’s like you’re willing to accept how little you know. And you try to pay attention to your partner in a more inclusive way.”
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Peter Gallagher. Maarten de Boer/getty Peter Gallagher and his wife celebrate 40th anniversary: ’We are two very happy, grateful people’
In honor of the couple’s 40th wedding anniversary last year, the actor shared a then-and-now photo of himself with Harwood on Instagram, writing: “Here we are in church, on the same day with the same sun and blue sky as we got married exactly 40 years ago I’m so glad ❤️”
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Paula reflected on tying the knot four decades ago in her social media post.
“40 years ago today, May 7, 1983, these two babies were married in the church we’re standing in front of now,” she shared alongside the same photos. “We are two very happy, grateful people. ❤️”
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Source: HIS Education