‘RHOBH’: What’s the Secret to Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin’s Marriage?
In the world of celebrity couples that make up and break up every other week, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Rinna’s marriage to longtime husband, Harry Hamlin, is something of an anomaly. The couple has been together for over two decades and is still going strong, even with the demands of two high-pressure careers and two daughters.
Recently, Lisa Rinna appeared on Live! With Kelly and Ryan and opened up about what keeps their connection strong and a few of the reasons why they have managed to stay together when so many marriages fall apart.
When did Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin get married?
Lisa Rinna married actor Harry Hamlin in 1997, after a whirlwind courtship. Rinna had established herself through modeling and work in various television shows, including Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place. Harry Hamlin appeared in a number of Greek-themed films in the 1980s, including Clash of the Titans and Perseus. Although Hamlin had previously been in several high-profile relationships with actresses, sparks flew right away when he met famously full-lipped Rinna.
Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin have two daughters, Delilah Belle, born in 1998, and Amelia Gray, born in 2001. Both of their daughters followed in Rinna’s footsteps and pursued a career in modeling. In spite of occasional bouts with controversy, including Rinna’s admitted fondness for plastic surgery and Botox, the two have remained incredibly close, free from the drama that plagues most reality-show couples.
The two took their love to television even before Rinna became famous as one of the Housewives – their very own reality show, Harry Loves Lisa, premiered in October 2010 and ran for only six episodes before ending it’s run. While the show was short-lived, fans loved the couple’s chemistry and the way they interacted with their family.
What did Rinna have to say about her marriage?
As it turns out, Hamlin’s previous relationships might play a role in the success of his marriage to Rinna. During Rinna’s appearance on Live! With Kelly and Ryan, she joked that one reason for the longevity of their marriage could be due to the fact that she’s Hamlin’s third wife. As Rinna deftly joked, the third time can sometimes be the charm.
In fact, Hamlin was married to Laura Johnson, an actress, from 1985 to 1989, and then to Desperate Housewives star Nicolette Sheridan from 1991 to 1992. Rinna and Hamlin met in the mid-nineties and got married a couple years after. Although Rinna joked about her husband’s previous marriages, she also stated that in reality, one reason why they get along so well is that they are total opposites. She claimed that while she enjoys shopping and socializing, Hamlin is more scientifically-minded and spends his free time researching rockets and astrophysics.
What helps them keep the spark alive?
Rinna and Hamlin discuss their marriage frequently and have no problem admitting that while they have enjoyed a happy union, it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. In a 2015 interview, Rinna said that there’s no big secret when it comes to maintaining a healthy relationship – rather, she said, it comes down to hard work, lots of good communication on both sides, and a heaping helping of mutual respect.
While fans might be disappointed to learn that there’s no magic trick or special formula to staying happy with a partner forever, Rinna knows that they also got incredibly lucky. With their twenty-second wedding anniversary approaching on March 29th, it’s likely that Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin will find the perfect way to celebrate their decades-longunion – whether in the form of an intimate night in or a fancy evening out at one of their daughter’s fashion shows.
