Highlights
- Meryl Streep and Don Gummer quietly separated over six years ago.
- Streep kept her marriage extremely private.
- Gummer has been a constant support system for Streep throughout her career.
The world was shocked to learn that Meryl Streep and her husband Don Gummer quietly separated over six years ago. Even with her successful career and numerous accolades, Streep achieved a remarkable feat in Hollywood where the spotlight stayed predominantly on her work rather than her personal life.
That is why her breakup arrangements with Gummer continued without any public attention. Despite ending their romantic relationship six years ago, the pair remained partners and offered each other personal and professional support.
Did Meryl Streep And Don Gummer Explain Their 6-Year Separation?
Meryl Streep and her husband of 45 years, Don Gummer, had been separated for more than six years, as reported by Page Six. According to a representative for Streep, “Don Gummer and Meryl Streep have been separated for more than 6 years, and while they will always care for each other, they have chosen lives apart.”
Although the couple ended their romance six years ago, they still celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary and Streep was seen wearing her wedding band at the 2023 Princesa de Asturias Awards. They did not divorce, but they are no longer living together, and their relationship was about personally and professionally supporting each other.
As of this writing, there are no reports or statements from both parties that confirm the real reason behind Streep and Gummer’s separation. However, in 2014, a biography claimed that Streep and Jack Nicholson had an affair in 1987 during the filming of Ironweed. Streep denied the rumors, but the book allegedly stirred up marital issues in her relationship.
There were also speculations that Streep was still mourning John Cazale’s death when she met Gummer, and it seemed he may have served as a rebound during those early days, given that they married within six months of their relationship.
Streep admitted that she was still processing her late boyfriend’s death as her new relationship continued to develop. She confided in very few people and wrote to her old drama teacher, Bobby Lewis, about her emotional state. In her interview with People, Streep discussed Cazale’s death and her newfound romance with Gummer,
“The death is still very much with me. It has forced me to confront my own mortality, and once you do that, you look at things differently.”
Meryl Streep And Don Gummer Keep Their Marriage Extremely Private
Despite Meryl Streep’s numerous roles portraying strong, decisive, and self-reliant women, she had no interest in becoming a go-to source for life lessons, be it about marriage or anything else.
“I hate seeing myself pontificating,” Streep expressed in a 1994 interview with the New York Times. “I can’t bear it, as if I’m an expert on anything. I’m barely in control of my own life…”
Streep granted interviews sparingly and rarely discussed her family. Her family was her foremost passion, but she kept them private for a good reason. According to E! Online, Streep followed Robert Redford’s advice from their early years, “Robert Redford taught me that when they were babies: ‘They are not your props.’ I really admired the way he protected his family. It’s something I consciously emulated.”
When it came to her marriage with Gummer, Streep maintained a protective attitude. In a 2002 interview with Vogue, she revealed the secret to their enduring marriage was “goodwill and willingness to bend and to shut up every once in a while.”
Don Gummer Personal Information |
|
---|---|
Full Name |
Donald James Gummer |
Birthdate |
December 12, 1946 |
Place of Birth |
Louisville, Kentucky US |
Occupation |
Sculptor |
Education |
1966-1970: School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusetts |
1971-1973: Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut |
|
2009: Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana |
|
Award via dongummer.com |
Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Grant National Endowment of the Arts American Academy in Rome |
Wife |
Meryl Streep (married September 30, 1978) |
Children |
Henry Wolfe Gummer |
Mary Willa “Mamie” Gummer |
|
Grace Jane Gummer |
|
Louisa Jacobson Gummer |
|
Previous Relationship |
Peggy Jenel Lucas (married December 27, 1967, divorced September 4, 1974) |
While she seldom discussed her marriage in public, Streep opened up to the Sydney Morning Herald about her enduring union with Gummer and his unwavering support for her career, despite his success as a professional sculptor. She revealed that Gummer always happily cared for their children, and that lessened her guilt when her career took her away from the family.
Meryl Streep’s Husband, Don Gummer Is Her Constant Support System
Meryl Streep experienced heartbreak before she serendipitously found herself in Don Gummer’s arms in an unlikely love story.
Streep’s past relationship with The Godfather actor, John Cazale was cut short when he was diagnosed with lung cancer. Streep took care of him during his treatment while shooting The Deer Hunter, but sadly, Cazale passed away after the filming wrapped.
According to Michael Schulman’s 2016 biography, Her Again: Becoming Meryl Streep, Streep and Gummer were introduced by the actress’ brother in 1978. Although their relationship initially involved hesitation on Streep’s part due to her recent loss, a widowed friend encouraged her to spend time with Gummer.
Major Awards of Meryl Streep:
Awards |
Category |
Movies/Shows |
---|---|---|
Academy Awards |
Best Supporting Actress |
Kramer v.s Kramer |
Best Actress |
Sophie’s Choice |
|
Best Actress |
The Iron Lady |
|
BAFTA Film Awards |
Best Actress – Lead Role |
The French Lieutenant’s Woman |
Best Actress – Lead Role |
The Iron Lady |
|
Golden Globe Awards |
Best Supporting Actress |
Kramer v.s Kramer |
Best Actress – Drama |
The French Lieutenant’s Woman |
|
Best Actress – Drama |
Sophie’s Choice |
|
Best Supporting Actress |
Adaptation |
|
Best Actress – Television |
Angels in America |
|
Best Actress – Musical or Comedy |
The Devil Wears Prada |
|
Best Actress – Musical or Comedy |
Julie & Julia |
|
Best Actress – Drama |
The Iron Lady |
|
Primetime Emmy’s |
Outstanding Lead Actress |
Holocaust |
Outstanding Lead Actress |
Angels in America |
|
Outstanding Narrator |
Five Came Back |
|
SAG-AFTRA Awards |
Outstanding Actress – Miniseries |
Angels in America |
Outstanding Actress – Lead Role |
Doubt |
Streep became fond of him that they married on September 30, 1978, in an Episcopal ceremony held in the garden of her parents’ home on Mason’s Island, Connecticut. Throughout their marriage, they welcomed four children, Henry, Mamie, Grace, and Louisa. The couple also become grandparents to five grandchildren.
Don Gummer was a constant supporter of Meryl Streep’s illustrious career. He accompanied her to numerous high-profile events and movie premiers.
Mery Streep’s Lifetime Achievement Awards:
- 2003 Honorary César Award
- 2004 American Film Institute Life Achievement Award
- 2015 Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film
- 2017 Cecil B. DeMille Award
- 2019 Toronto International Film Festival Tribute Actor Award
During her acceptance speech at the 2012 Oscars for The Iron Lady, Streep expressed her gratitude to Gummer and acknowledged the invaluable support he provided throughout their lives.
Source: NewsFinale