Matthew McConaughey has opened up about one surprisingly simple decision that he says has helped keep his marriage to Camila Alves strong for more than a decade - and it all starts in the bedroom.
The Oscar-winning actor, now 55, recently released a new book titled Poems & Prayers, where he shares reflections on life, love, faith, and family.
But one particular piece of advice from the book has caught attention for its no-nonsense approach to intimacy and connection in marriage.
In the book, the Texan writes: “The best thing you can / do for your / marriage. One way to surely / get ahead, / is get rid of that / king-size mattress, / and sleep in a / queen-size bed.”
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Yes, the Interstellar star is suggesting couples downsize their bed to keep the spark alive.
Explaining the rationale behind the idea, McConaughey told Fox News that the shift to a queen-sized bed brought him and Alves closer - literally.
“We have kids and we go to our friend’s house and he has one of these double king-size beds... the wife’s on one side with her side table and the husband’s on the other side,” he shared. “I wake up one morning, I’m looking over there and Camilla’s like a football field away, man.”
Trying to cuddle turned into a mission, he joked: “You want to snuggle up and, ‘Well, we’ve got to cover you up. Come about 12 feet and I’ll come 12 feet'.”
Realizing how disconnected the massive bed made them feel, McConaughey made the switch.
He added: “You’re like, man, this damn king-size bed is not good for the marriage, man. Get rid of that son of a b****. So we got a queen size where we’re shoulder to shoulder. I’m telling you, it’s good for your marriage.”
The Dazed and Confused actor also noted there's now 'no room' for their three children - Levi, Vida, and Livingston - to climb in, making space for just him and his wife.
The pair tied the knot in 2012, moving from California back to Texas to raise their family, with McConaughey stressing the importance of prioritising time as a couple, not just as co-parents.
“You’ve got kids... but you also gotta make sure - and I can do a better job of this - of going, ‘No, this is our time',” he said.
"You gotta make to remember that one of the best examples you can give the kids of how to treat a woman or a man or how to someone they end up falling in love with down the line is how you treat their mother and how the mother treats the father."
Topics: Matthew McConaughey, Celebrity
Joe Yates