Outspoken tennis legend John McEnroe and his wife, rock singer Patty Smyth, have maintained a strong, loving marriage since tying the knot in 1997. So what’s their secret?
Smyth credits four foundational pillars: “friendship, compromise, privacy-and sex.” McEnroe teased, “You’re forgetting the most obvious one,” to which Smyth wittily replied, “Sex. You’ve got to keep the sex going!”
The couple’s candid yet grounded approach speaks volumes about their enduring relationship. McEnroe bluntly states that maintaining a healthy sex life is critical.
“You’ve got to keep the sex going,” he quips, driving home that intimacy forms the emotional and physical bond required to sustain a long-term partnership. Smyth, echoing that sentiment, emphasized that ongoing affection and closeness have kept their relationship vibrant nearly three decades in.
Private time and affection crucial
Smyth believes fiercely in keeping their marriage out of the spotlight. She explains that being private and avoiding publicizing their romance were deliberate choices.
“If I kept it on the down-low, I had this gut feeling that we would stay together,” she shared. Their choice to forgo media attention or reality TV offers has helped preserve the authenticity of their relationship.
McEnroe and Smyth first met in 1993 and married in a ceremony kept under wraps five years later. They initially bonded over their distinct prior paths – McEnroe, freshly retired and divorced from actress Tatum O’Neal, and Smyth, a single mother and former lead singer for the ’80s band Scandal.
Together, they’ve built a blended family that includes Smyth’s daughter from her first marriage and two daughters they welcomed together.
Both have navigated demanding careers – McEnroe as one of tennis’s all-time greats, Smyth with hits like “The Warrior” – while raising a family and preserving their partnership. Their commitment to maintaining boundaries, both personal and public, has earned admiration from both fans and peers.
A love built to last
Decades after their wedding, Smyth still marvels at the spark and intimacy they share. “Twenty-something years later, I’m like ‘Wow, I still have these feelings when I see him,'” she told PEOPLE.
McEnroe added humorously, “One woman, 26 years,” to which Smyth shot back, “One man, 26 years. That’s insane!” Their shared gratitude reflects the sincerity behind their union.
McEnroe also credits Smyth with helping him redirect his energy and stay grounded when he was transitioning from his first marriage. During a podcast interview, he revealed that Smyth pushed him to rediscover his roots and renewed his discipline.
“If you’re going to do this, you need to get in shape… go back to your roots,” he said about how Smyth encouraged him – a testament to her role as both partner and motivator.
John McEnroe and Patty Smyth’s long-lasting marriage is built on two essential tenets: maintaining genuine intimacy and fiercely safeguarding their privacy. These straightforward yet powerful rules – “keep the sex going” and “keep it private” – have allowed them to merge successful public lives with a deep, enduring connection behind closed doors.
In an age where relationships are increasingly exposed, their model of mutual respect, discretion, and emotional commitment stands out as both refreshing and timeless.
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