Laughter plays an important role in Will Ferrell and Viveca Paulin’s decades-long marriage.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the 57-year-old actor reveals the secret behind his 24-year marriage to Pauline.
“I think what initially drew us to each other was our shared sense of humor, and that has remained the foundation of our relationship,” says Ferrell, who partnered with PayPal. “I think ultimately that’s what our relationship is about, making each other laugh.”
Although he says his wife, 55, can be “hard to break” at times, You are cordially invited the star continues, “Every now and then I’ll make her laugh and she’ll be like, ‘Okay, okay. You’ve still got it.'” ”
“Through all of life’s ups and downs and raising a family — and everything that everyone has to deal with, especially with how busy lives can be these days — it’s always great to have this partner in crime that you can step away from, fight with, and just share a thought and share a moment with, where you’re both still on the same page, and you kind of connect,” Ferrell adds.
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Will Ferrell and Viveca Paulin in May 2023.
Lionel Hahn/Getty
Ferrell and Paulin first met at an acting class in 1991, but their romance was initially short-lived.
“It was kind of too fast with too young … like the intensity level was like, ‘Oh wow,'” Ferrell explained in a guest appearance on MeSsy podcast in July.
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“Then we were just friends for five years and then we got back together,” he added Leader star.
Ferrell and Paulin married in 2000 and eventually had three children: Magnus, Mattias and Axel.
Watch Will Ferrell’s sons wonderfully save their father from a wardrobe accident on Will & Harper Red carpet
When the holiday season rolls around and Ferrell has to buy a gift for his wife, he tells PEOPLE there’s one item he doesn’t have to worry about buying.
“She doesn’t really like jewelry. She’s afraid she’ll lose it, so I’m resting,” he says. “She let me down completely.”
Still, Ferrell considers himself an excellent shopper, adding, “I actually really like giving gifts, especially if I can focus on that very specific, special gift.”
Through his partnership with PayPal — in which he stars in a commercial singing a reimagined version of Fleetwood Mac’s “Everywhere” — Ferrell is helping himself and others save money.
“PayPal is one of the most secure financial services you can use… It’s so versatile and there are tons of options, especially during the holidays, with cashback and things like that,” he says, adding, “My mother of all people said she got more feedback on my PayPal ads than anything I’ve ever done, so if that doesn’t say something, if that doesn’t say something about the reach of what we’re doing, I don’t know what does.”
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Source: HIS Education