Wanting to “nurture” his family, Tom Selleck chose to keep his marriage of 33 years away from Hollywood spotlight

Hollywood isn’t the best known for celebrity nuptials that last. In fact, the divorces seem to be more well-publicized than the actual relationship. However, there are some celebrities who made their marriage work which is well-known to the media. For example, Meryl Streep and Don Gummer, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith are just a few couples who have lasted decades.

But there are some celebrities whom we don’t even realize are married just because of how well they’ve managed to keep their family and private life just that… private. One such person is actor Tom Selleck whose talent, charisma and good looks have hooked many a fan. And he’s been married for 33 years!

In 1987, the then-42-year-old star of the hit show Magnum, P.I was voted People’s ѕехıеѕt man in the world and was coveted by many women. However, there was only one woman for him and he married her that year — Jillie Mack. The sound of hearts breaking all over the world was a loud one.

But how did they meet?

The two first met when Selleck was in London for the production of the film, Lassiter. He had been telling his co-star, Jane Seymour, how great the show was. “I thought it was good, but I couldn’t see going back a dozen times,” she told People. It wasn’t the play he had fallen for but rather one particular actor who turned out to be 25-year-old Mack.

All it took was one dinner date for them to figure out that they had something special and a romance bloomed between them. “They had dinner one night and it went on from there,” said Mack’s London agent, Bryn Newton.

Once her contract with the company ended, she moved to Hawaii to be with Selleck as he filmed Magnum P.I. Though they were seen everywhere together, when it came to their nuptials, it was all hush-hush. They tied the knot and vowed to love each other at a Lake Tahoe wedding chapel. In fact, the ceremony was kept so private that even the minister didn’t know whose wedding he was officiating until the end. Selleck even ensured that any pictures take were Polaroid snapshots photos from negatives couldn’t be leaked to the press, according to People.

While it’s not uncommon for celebrities to have private ceremonies, this particular one was kept a secret for a different reason. What many didn’t realize was that Selleck did this deliberately after realizing the strain public scrutiny had put on his first marriage.

Selleck wanted this to work between Mack and him, so he made sure his private life was away from the prying eyes of the media. It’s why he took such lengths. “They were both nervous, like any other couple about to get married,” their wedding officiant Reverand David Immel told the magazine. “He was very concerned that the service be heartfelt, very concerned for her that the service be meaningful. He is a very warm, caring man.”

Soon, he faced a tough decision but it was one he didn’t regret

The actor had just gotten married and was ready to enjoy it, especially since the couple had just had their first daughter. But he had to choose between his family and giving them his time or continuing his career. So he chose his family. He quit Magnum P.I.  and moved to a 65-acre ranch in Ventura County, California, with his wife and daughter.

“I quit Magnum to have a family,” the father told People in 2012. “It took a long time to get off the train, but I try very hard to have balance, and this ranch has helped me do that.” Additionally, “We both thought it was the best environment for [Hannah] to grow up,” the star added.

Later, Selleck did return to having a career and guest-starred on F.R.I.E.N.D.S and took on a lead role in the show, Blue Bloods. Yet, it’s his family that will always be his priority and making decisions together as a couple is one of the reasons their marriage is solid more than three decades later.”We don’t do anything or make any decisions without consulting each other,” he said when his daughter was 10. “And if one of us makes a decision involving Hannah, the other parent completely supports that position, even if you disagree.”

“We don’t do anything or make any decisions without consulting each other,” he said when his daughter was 10. “And if one of us makes a decision involving Hannah, the other parent completely supports that position, even if you disagree.”

Now, with nearing 33 years under their belt, Selleck added, “It’s important to nurture your marriage. I think wanting time away from work has been good for that.” Well, it looks like he made the right choice and they’ll have a long, happy future together.