Robert Downey Jr. and his wife, producer Susan Downey, share one of the most inspiring love stories in Hollywood. The couple, who married in 2005, have often spoken about how their 2003 meeting transformed both of their lives.
Robert, 61, has credited Susan's unwavering love as a catalyst for his recovery, while Susan, 52, has previously admitted that she would "never be who I am" if not for him.
© Variety via Getty ImagesThe actor once shed light on what makes their bond so special, suggesting that his wife possesses an enigmatic quality.
"It's beyond us being two humans who co-habitate and have built a life together. There's something about her that remains almost entirely a mystery," he told Esquire in 2024.
© FilmMagic"I'll see her across the kitchen and study her as though I'm a private investigator. And I'm not looking for some hidden motive. It's just . . . she's a full-length mirror."
How did Robert and Susan meet?
The couple met on the set of Gothika in 2003. Susan famously turned down the Avengers star's advances twice, although they eventually started dating during production.
Early in their relationship, Susan set firm boundaries, making it clear that Robert needed to commit to his sobriety.
© Getty Images"I said, 'This isn't gonna work.' I made it clear that to stay with me, nothing could happen," she told Harper's Bazaar in 2009.
"I think he saw what we had. There was something magical there, something we couldn't put our finger on", she said. "He always says that we became this third thing when we got together—something that neither of us could have become by ourselves—and I think that's true."
The couple tied the knot two years later before welcoming their children, Exton, 14, and Avri, 11. Robert is also a dad to musician Indio Falconer Downey, 32, whom he shares with his ex-wife Deborah Falconer.
© GettyRobert and Susan boast an impressive property portfolio, including a seven-acre, eco-friendly home in Malibu, featuring wind turbines and solar-generated water systems, and their East Hampton windmill cottage.
Robert and Susan's professional relationship
In 2010, the couple launched their production company, Team Downey.
"Susan holds one pillar, and I hold the other, and this creative arc of tension just flows between us," Robert told The Hollywood Reporter.
© Getty ImagesSusan added: "Our feeling was, if we wanted to spend time together, have a life together, then we should just go ahead and make movies together."
