Michael J Fox Has Been Married to His Wife for 36 Years, and She Became His Greatest Support After His Diagnosis – Pics of the Beauty

Michael J. Fox once said he would “be dead” without his longtime wife. Meet the woman who has been his rock and with whom he shares four grown children who have since left the nest.

Michael J. Fox, an award-winning actor, rose to fame in “Family Ties,” where he met his wife of over 30 years. She has stood by his side as he battles an incurable condition, for which he founded an organization dedicated to finding a cure.

Fox’s journey to stardom wasn’t without challenges, even before meeting his wife. In Apple TV+’s documentary, “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie,” the Canadian native reflected on the struggles he faced after moving to the US.

Michael J. Fox photographed on January 1, 1980 | Source: Getty Images

“It was a tough few years. We didn’t have a lot of money. I was dumpster diving because I knew the grocery store would throw baked goods out. We’d steal jam and peanut butter from the IHOP or Denny’s. It was a tough existence,” he revealed in an interview.

Michael J. Fox pictured on January 1, 1980 | Source: Getty Images

However, his fortunes changed swiftly, “In a relatively short period of time, I was famous and I was the biggest movie star in the world… It was crazy. It made no sense.”

Michael J. Fox seen on September 25, 1985 | Source: Getty Images

The actor’s meteoric rise to fame began on the set of “Family Ties,” the ’80s hit sitcom where he played Alex P. Keaton. It was there that he met his future wife, who joined the show as his character’s love interest, Ellen Reed, but soon became much more in his life.

Michael J. Fox on the set of "Family Ties," 1985 | Source: Getty Images

Recalling their first meeting, Fox described her as “interesting.” Over time, their connection deepened as she “kind of steered me in the right direction,” he said. Within a year, the pair tied the knot in July 1988.

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Their life together took a challenging turn not long after, when Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at 29—a moment he described as the point when “it got interesting.”
When he broke the news to his newlywed wife, she responded with unwavering resolve, “In sickness or in health.” For Fox, hearing those words brought him a “tremendous relief.”
Fox’s struggles with his diagnosis and reliance on alcohol reached a pivotal moment that tested their relationship. In a joint interview, he recalled waking up with a hangover, expecting his wife to be upset. Instead, the actress’s reaction was far more unsettling—she seemed bored. “I didn’t scream. I wasn’t angry, I was kind of feeling done,” she admitted.
https://youtu.be/QeMw1RhkAVQ
Despite this, the couple overcame their challenges, drawing strength from humor. Fox credited his wife’s humor and practicality for helping him navigate the more difficult moments of his condition.
He admitted that his stubbornness about maintaining independence left him feeling he had let down his patient family. For the first time, the celebrity struggled to mask his challenges with positivity, describing how he felt consumed by self-pity and began questioning the optimism that had always defined him.
That said, his spouse’s ability to bring levity to challenging situations has been a constant source of comfort, allowing them to face the tough times with laughter before addressing the heavier realities.
He shared a story about a woman who, years ago, felt unable to shop because her symptoms made her fear judgment. Knowing that someone like Fox faced the same challenges has given people comfort and understanding, calling it a “huge” contribution.
The actress, Michael J. Fox and Stevie Nicks attend A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Cure Parkinson's on November 16, 2024, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

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