Joaquin Phoenix has ignited speculation about his marital status with longtime partner Rooney Mara after referring to her as his "wife" during a recent interview. The Oscar-winning actor made the comment on Sunday's episode of the Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso podcast, causing fans to wonder if the notoriously private couple may have tied the knot in secret.
While discussing how he crafted his heartfelt 2020 Academy Awards acceptance speech, Phoenix casually mentioned Mara while reflecting on the moments leading up to his speech. "I was talking with my mom and my wife," he said, without clarifying if he and Mara are officially married. Later in the podcast, Phoenix named Mara specifically, further fueling the rumors by sharing that she had encouraged him to include a line from his late brother River Phoenix in his speech. "Rooney was like, 'That's what you should f-kin' say!'" he recalled.
Though the couple has always been reserved about their personal lives, Phoenix's offhand reference to Mara as his wife has sent the internet into a flurry of speculation. Neither Phoenix nor Mara has publicly confirmed their marital status, and representatives for both stars have not responded to media requests for comment.
Phoenix, 49, and Mara, 38, met in 2012 on the set of Spike Jonze's film Her. At the time, they were only friends, with Phoenix even admitting in a rare 2019 interview with Vanity Fair that Mara was the only woman he ever looked up online. "We were just friends, email friends. I'd never done that before," he said, adding that he thought Mara disliked him until he realized she was simply shy.
Their relationship deepened years later when they reconnected while filming Mary Magdalene in 2018. The couple became engaged in 2019, and in 2020 they welcomed their first child, a son named River, after Phoenix's late brother, who passed away in 1993 at the age of 23. River Phoenix's death, from a drug overdose, has had a lasting impact on Joaquin, who has often spoken about his brother's influence on his life and career.
Adding to the couple's mystique, Mara was spotted with a diamond ring in 2017, sparking engagement rumors at the time. However, much like the recent marriage speculation, the pair never confirmed or denied the rumors. Known for their low-key lifestyle, Phoenix and Mara rarely speak publicly about their relationship, choosing instead to keep their private life out of the spotlight.
Despite their secretive nature, Phoenix has been open about his admiration for Mara. In his 2019 Vanity Fair interview, he described how taken he was with her from the start, saying he initially believed she didn't like him, only to find out she was too shy to express her feelings. "She's the only girl I ever looked up on the internet," Phoenix shared, offering a rare glimpse into their unconventional courtship.
The couple welcomed their second child earlier this year. Mara made headlines in February when she debuted her baby bump at the 74th Berlinale International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany. Wearing an elegant gown, Mara cradled her bump as she walked the red carpet, signaling that the couple's family was growing once again.
Phoenix and Mara's bond has been widely regarded as one of Hollywood's most private yet enduring relationships. Their shared interests in activism and animal rights have also drawn them closer. The couple is well-known for their vegan lifestyle and has been outspoken about various humanitarian causes. Phoenix's 2020 Oscars speech, which touched on the need for environmental protection and compassion towards animals, was a reflection of the values he and Mara hold dear.
As speculation around their marital status continues to grow, the couple remains characteristically silent. Fans and the media alike are left to wonder if Phoenix's casual reference to Mara as his wife was a simple slip of the tongue or confirmation that the two have taken their relationship to the next level.
