Goldie Hawn believes that successful relationships aren’t about grand gestures but about maintaining a meaningful connection. After more than 40 years with her partner Kurt Russell, she shares a key element to their lasting bond.
“You have to have good sex,” Hawn revealed in an exclusive interview with E! News on September 27, during the Love-In Gala celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Goldie Hawn Foundation and MindUP. “Sex connects you and creates a deeper sense of belonging. Couples with healthy sexual relationships often stay together longer. But it’s not just the act itself—it’s the warmth and intimacy it fosters.”
She added playfully, “And you have to be nice to each other every now and then.” (E! News featured more from the event on September 30.)
Building a Strong, Lasting Relationship
Maintaining a relationship for decades is no small task. Hawn—who shares son Wyatt Russell with Kurt, along with children Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson from a previous marriage—emphasizes that being in a relationship doesn’t mean losing your individuality.
“You’re not the same person as your partner,” Hawn explained. “You often don’t think the same way, and you have to accept that. The real question is: Are we having fun? Do we laugh together? Do we share enough common ground? You don’t have to share everything.”
Hawn believes that having realistic expectations is crucial. “We place a lot of pressure on relationships, but at the end of the day, you have to like the person you’re with,” she said. “That’s very important.”
Kurt Russell’s Take on Their Relationship
Kurt Russell also shared his perspective on their long-lasting partnership. “Most people who’ve been together for a long time have one thing in common,” he told E! News. “After so many years, you’ve experienced almost everything together—you understand the highs, the lows, and what it all means.”
At 73, Russell expressed his gratitude for their enduring connection, saying, “I love that we met and that we’re still going strong. We still enjoy being together.”
Choosing Partnership Over Marriage
Despite their nearly 50-year relationship, Hawn and Russell have never felt the need to get married. Hawn, who was married twice before meeting Russell, has strong feelings about avoiding the complications that come with divorce.
“Divorce is always ugly,” Hawn shared in an interview with CNN’s Chris Wallace last year. “How many divorces are fun? How many don’t cost money or cause more hurt? Divorce often leaves children feeling the most pain.”
Instead of marriage, Hawn prefers the simplicity of waking up each day and choosing to continue their partnership with Kurt. “We make the decision every day to be together,” she explained.
Staying Independent While Nurturing a Relationship
Hawn acknowledges that relationships come with challenges. “Relationships aren’t always easy. There are hurdles, disagreements, and things you may not see eye-to-eye on,” she said. However, she believes that maintaining independence within a relationship is crucial.
“Staying independent and holding onto your own thinking is important,” she added. “It allows you to keep your sense of self and still feel connected to your partner.”
In the end, Hawn and Russell’s relationship thrives because of mutual respect, understanding, and the joy they find in simply being together. Their story is a testament to the power of love, laughter, and staying true to oneself.