Dolph Lundgren, 68, hits back at critics of 39-year age gap with wife as he explains why it shouldn’t matter
Topics: Celebrity
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: JC Olivera/Getty
Topics: Celebrity
Dolph Lundgren has hit back at his critics after marrying Emma Krokdal in 2023, who is 39 years his junior.
It's not exactly uncommon for celebrities in their mature years to marry someone decades younger than them, with Dick Van Dyke's marriage with Arlene Silver, 54, being one example of such.
Despite evidence that these relationships work, there's no doubt people in them face some criticism. But for Lundgren that doesn't bother him, after previously sharing his secret to a 'strong marriage'.
The Swedish actor and Krokdal's marriage marks Lundgren's second, having previously been married to Anette Qviberg for almost 20 years.
Advert
Speaking to Fox News about blocking out the hate, the Rocky IV actor said: "You always get haters and people say negative things about you if you’re in the public eye. To me, age is just a number. It doesn’t really matter. I mean we’re all gonna be dead a hundred years from now — most of us anyway — and nothing will matter."
The 68-year-old added: "All that matters is that you enjoy your life, you enjoy your partner.
"And I think the choice of partner is one of the most important choices you can make in life. I’ve realized that. And I think Emma is the best choice for me, and I don’t care what people say."
While Lundgren and Krokdal may have only been married for a couple of years, the actor has previously detailed his 'secret' to their loving relationship.
"I have this new thing, I have to give her a hug, a nice big hug, 10 times a day," he added to Fox News.
"I try to get a few before lunch," Lundgren continued. "So I still have some in the bank [throughout the day]. It sounds simple and a little goofy, but doing that neutralizes a lot of disagreements and misunderstandings. And it makes us both feel good. That’s my new recipe now."
He admitted the pair do have their 'disagreements', but at the end of the day it's all about making 'your partner feel good'.
"That phrase [‘happy wife, happy life’] is true. You have to respect each other. You have to compliment each other," Lundgren concluded.
Lundgren's has spoken openly about cancer troubles in the last decade having been after being diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2015. The tumor was removed via surgery, though doctors discovered signs of cancer on his liver and kidneys in 2020.
But after receiving a second opinion, Lundgren was told he was cancer free in 2024.