Harrison Ford opened up about the secret to his 15-year marriage to Calista Flockhart in a candid chat with NPR’s Wild Card, hosted by Rachel Martin. The 83-year-old actor spoke about what age has taught him about love, offering a reminder that romance isn’t confined to youth.
“Old people can love, too,” Ford said, signaling his belief that the business of love—and how you nurture it—only grows more meaningful with time. He described the core of a lasting relationship as maintenance and care: “Maintaining, nurturing, basically, not f—— up.” He also teased himself with a touch of leeway, noting that every partnership needs “some days off for bad behavior.”
Asked how long he and Flockhart have been married, Ford answered with a wink: “If you ask me, I would say all my life.” He reflected on his first marriage at 23 and emphasized that love can endure across life’s stages. The couple, who marked their 15th wedding anniversary in June, began their romance after meeting at the 59th Golden Globe Awards in 2002. Ford later proposed to Flockhart over Valentine’s Day weekend in 2009, and they tied the knot in New Mexico the following year.
Ford’s family life is a central thread in his story. He adopted Calista’s son Liam, whom she welcomed via adoption in 2001, making Liam part of the household before Ford and Flockhart wed. Ford has other children from previous marriages as well: Benjamin (58) and Willard (56) with Mary Marquardt, and Malcolm (37) and Georgia (35) with Melissa Mathison.
Ford has repeatedly spoken about the joy of blending families and watching children grow, describing parenting as a continual opportunity to witness growth and renewal. The actor’s reflections paint a hopeful image of love that deepens with time, shared responsibilities, and a willingness to adapt.
Summary: Harrison Ford uses his NPR interview to underscore a timeless view of love—that it can endure and even deepen with age. With Calista Flockhart by his side for 15 years of marriage, and a blended family that includes Liam and Ford’s other children, Ford highlights daily work, forgiveness, and a long-term commitment as the keys to lasting love.
Comment: Ford’s perspective serves as a gentle counterpoint to the idea that romance fades after youth, offering a positive, practical blueprint for sustaining a relationship across decades. If readers take away one message, it’s that love is an ongoing project worth tending, with humor and humility along the way.