McConaughey's Leap of Faith: Why It Took Six Years to Say 'I Do'
Matthew McConaughey Spills Juicy Secrets About Marriage, Family, and a Very Complicated Relationship with His Mother
In a candid conversation on Chris Williamson's Modern Wisdom podcast, Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey revealed that fear held him back from marrying his long-time partner and mother of his three children, Camila Alves. The 55-year-old heartthrob has been in a relationship with the stunning 42-year-old since 2006, but it took him over six years to propose.
It all started when their 17-year-old son Levi innocently asked why his mom's last name was different from theirs. McConaughey recalled: "My son comes to me at four years old and says, 'Why isn't Mama McConaughey?' I'm going through my head. You're four, dude. I sat there. I was like, 'God, did your mom put you with this?'" He confessed that he was indeed afraid of commitment.
McConaughey's fear wasn't just about marriage; it was also about the unknowns that came with it. The actor revealed that he went to a pastor for advice, seeking guidance on whether taking the leap would be worth the risk. "Let me ask you this, Mr. Risk Taker," the wise pastor said. "What's the bigger risk? Carrying on like you're going, it's going well, or taking the deeper dive into the sacrament covenant of marriage which should be a covenant between you and her and God?" McConaughey was taken aback by the question. He confided: "I was like, 'Oh, the getting married's a bigger risk.'" The pastor's words stuck with him, and he eventually took the plunge.
But what about his mother, Kay? In an earlier conversation with People magazine, Matthew revealed that he had a very complicated relationship with her for nearly a decade. It all started when she began leaking sensitive information about him to news reporters. McConaughey recalled: "We had about an eight-year period where I had to have short conversations with her on our Sunday phone calls... because she was sharing a lot of that information."
The Academy Award-winning actor revealed that he didn't need to investigate much to figure out who the culprit was. He said: "I'd tell her something on Sunday between son and mom, and Tuesday I'd read about it in the news or see it in the local paper." The tension between them reached a boiling point when Kay let reporters into their childhood home.
In an explosive revelation, Matthew shared that his mother's betrayal was like a knife to the heart. He recalled: "I watched footage of it on television days later... She said, 'Well, this is where Matthew slept.'" McConaughey was furious but tried to keep his cool during their conversation about the incident.
In a stunning display of sass, Kay defended her actions by saying: "'What?' I said, 'Don't tell me, 'What' based on the news article...'" The 93-year-old matriarch's response was characteristic of her feisty personality. Matthew revealed that their relationship has since improved, and they've had more open conversations about trust.
As for his relationship with Camila, McConaughey gushed: "She's an incredible partner... We have a beautiful life together." The couple tied the knot in 2012 and welcomed two children before adding their third son Livingston to the family in 2013. Despite his past fears of commitment, Matthew now realizes that marriage is a risk worth taking.
The Lost Bus star and his mother may have had their differences, but it's clear that they both love each other unconditionally. As McConaughey put it: "We were on a hiatus... But we've since worked through our issues."