Rob Lowe Reveals How He’s Stayed Married For 31 Years – ‘Marriage Is Hard’

In the crazy world of Hollywood, it’s rare to find a marriage that is actually able to stand the test of time. That’s what makes Rob Lowe’s 31-year marriage to his make-up artist wife Sheryl Berkoff so special!

Lowe’s Secrets To Marriage Success

While appearing on the “Table for Two” podcast this week, Lowe revealed the three secrets to his decades-long marriage to Berkoff, who he shares two adult sons with. 

“It is not just Hollywood, it’s everywhere,” explained Lowe, 59. “Marriage is hard.… It can be hard – marriage is not hard. If it were hard, nobody would do it. It can be hard. And will be hard.”

“I have a couple thoughts,” he continued. “It’s all about who you choose.… Sheryl was and is my best friend. So if you marry for anything other than the fact that it’s your best friend, you’re at a disadvantage from the jump. ‘Cause that will sustain when the other stuff ebbs and flows.”

Forgiveness is another key element to a successful marriage, according to Lowe. 

“People say marriage takes work. I’m not sure if it takes work,” he stated. “But what it does take is forgiveness. And being really cognizant of what hill you’re willing to die on.”

Podcast host Bruce Bozzi responded to this by saying that couples need to be sure to stay in the room for each other. 

“You definitely have to stay in the room,” Lowe said in agreement. “And then I think there is a sense maybe on the outside when one looks at a long marriage and goes ‘Oh, it’s been – they’re blessed.’ True. ‘And it’s a perfect marriage.’ There’s nothing that’s perfect.”

Related: Rob Lowe Celebrates 31 Years Of Sobriety By Thanking His Family For ‘Putting Up With Me’

People Shouldn’t Give Up On Marriage

Not stopping there, Lowe lamented that people give up on marriage far too quickly these days.

“I think the minute things go south for whatever reason it could be… many many many reasons, I think people can go, ‘Oh, I knew it. This, this is bad. This is a mistake. That marriages don’t work.’ Everybody has those dark periods,” he said.

“When they come, and they do, just like a career, everyone has periods where it’s not happenin’ like you would like it,” Lowe added. “Life is like that, it’s ebbs and flows.… You just can’t bail on the ebbs. ‘Cause eventually it’ll turn around if you’re with the right person.”

Bozzi later said that any good marriage needs heat, and Lowe agreed with this statement. 

“You need the heat, for sure,” Lowe acknowledged. “If you don’t have the heat… and that’s a chemical thing. That’s like I still have it with Sheryl.… You got to keep the heat.”

“By the way that comes and goes too,” he continued. “There are days, there are times when you’re just like ‘Uhhh,’ and then all of a sudden you’re just wild for somebody. It’s one of the great human mysteries.” 

Related: Rob Lowe Leaves Conan O’Brien Speechless When He Name Drops His High Profile Conservative Friend

Lowe And Berkoff Celebrate Anniversary

Lowe and Berkoff are set to celebrate their 32nd wedding anniversary in July. To mark their anniversary last year, Lowe took to Instagram to pay tribute to his wife. 

“Happy 31st Anniversary, baby,” he wrote alongside a photo of Berkoff. “Your love has made my world. You are as beautiful, knowledgeable, fascinating, kind, and hilarious as you were so many glorious years ago. Partners in love for life!!”

There is so much temptation in Hollywood these days that most stars give up on their marriage at the first sign of any kind of trouble. God bless Lowe and Berkoff for sticking with their marriage through the good times and the bad, and we wish them many years of happiness to come!