Jenny McCarthy and Donnie Wahlberg are sharing an intimate glimpse into the ritual that has become a cornerstone of their enduring marriage. In a recent interview, the couple revealed how their annual vow renewals have become a powerful way to “reboot” their relationship, keeping their bond fresh and strong after more than a decade together.
The pair, who celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in August 2024, tied the knot in August 2014. For them, the vow renewals serve as a profound moment to reflect on their commitment and deepen their connection. “It really is like a reboot,” McCarthy, 51, explained in a chat with Fox. “Like we shut down our phone to reboot it. We upgrade our phone. This, to me, our renewals feel like an upgrade every time we do it.”
McCarthy emphasized the significance of pausing to “stare into each other’s eyes and listen to the commitment” during the vow renewal ceremonies. She explained that, after years of marriage, it’s easy to forget to make time for such intimate moments of reflection. “How often, after being married a long time, do you actually stop and say the words again?” she asked.
Wahlberg, 55, echoed his wife’s sentiments, adding that the annual rituals provide an opportunity to reconnect on a deeper level. “To be able to do it again with what we know now and 10 years under our belt, and to just be in that space of honesty and vulnerability with each other, it’s really a profound thing to do,” the Blue Bloods star said.
The tradition of renewing their vows was actually introduced by Wahlberg himself. “When we did it, it was so powerful and so emotional for us that then I decided we should do it every year,” Wahlberg shared. “The thing was, I didn’t always let her know about it, so I spent nine years surprising her.”
In addition to the meaningful tradition, the couple also addressed recent rumors regarding their relationship. Despite celebrating a decade of marriage, McCarthy revealed that friends and family had brought up divorce rumors, but she was quick to squash them. “People just have to look at us and know that that will never happen,” she said firmly. “It’s like ‘till death do us part, absolutely, in this marriage.”
During her appearance on Watch What Happens Live, McCarthy further reaffirmed her commitment to Wahlberg. “There will never, ever, ever be a divorce between me and Donnie. It’s ‘til death do us part. No matter what,” she told host Andy Cohen, with Wahlberg adding from the audience, “We wouldn’t break your heart. We will never break your heart, Andy. That’s one of the many reasons it’ll never happen.”
Their connection, which started in 2012 when they met during a taping of Watch What Happens Live, quickly blossomed. They began dating in 2013 and made their first red carpet appearance together in 2014, eventually tying the knot in McCarthy’s home state of Illinois.
Together, they’ve built a strong, blended family. Wahlberg has two sons, Xavier, 31, and Elijah, 23, from his previous marriage, while McCarthy has a son, Evan, 22, from her previous marriage. The couple, who resides in a mansion just outside of Chicago, are raising Evan together alongside their five dogs.
With their vow renewal tradition as a symbolic anchor, McCarthy and Wahlberg continue to prove that love, effort, and commitment are key to sustaining a joyful and resilient marriage, and they’re not slowing down anytime soon.
