Mark Wahlberg’s Wife Rhea Durham Rekindled Husband's Belief In Romance — Introducing The Model

Feb 12, 2021 by apost team

Mark Wahlberg, star of the films "Ted," "Boogie Nights" and "The Departed," claims in a series of interviews that he is the man he is today thanks in part to his wife Rhea Durham, an American fashion model. The two met nearly 20 years ago back in 2001 — and since then, the couple has built a family together. Find out more about Durham, her relationship with her husband, the couple’s parenting style and why alone time is important for the duo.

In a revealing 2018 interview with The Sun, Wahlberg opened up about his feelings for his wife and spoke to his family life, telling reporters how much his wife means to him. 

“I owe a lot to my wife. She has helped me become the man that I am and created a beautiful life for me and our children," Wahlberg told the publication.

“I also knew that she loved me for who I am and that she was someone I could trust. Until I met her, I wasn’t ready to have a family.”

In a People interview from 2010, Wahlberg echoed some of the same sentiments, explaining that the two met in 2001 in New York City and quickly fell in love. During that time, Wahlberg was working on a press junket, and he asked Durham, a successful model who has appeared on the covers of Vogue and Marie Claire, if she would go out with him. She agreed, but it wasn't your typical first date. The two went to St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York the next morning.

"I knew shortly after that she was the one, but I still had to make sure that I was able to be the man I needed to be," Wahlberg told People back in 2010.

During the 2018 interview with The Sun, Wahlberg stated that he was not even ready to have a family until he met Durham. He also said that Durham loved him for who he was and that he trusted her.

“You need the right woman in your life and that feeling that you’re going to be together for a long time," Walhberg told the publication.

apost.com

Today, the two are happy parents to four kids — Brendan, Grace, Michael and Ella. And even with their busy schedules, Wahlberg and his wife seem to take parenting seriously.

“My mission in life is to raise my kids right. With all the success I’ve had in the world, if I fail at that, my life means nothing," Wahlberg told The Sun in 2018.

"I’m trying to be the best dad I can," he added in his 2010 People interview. "I’m probably softer than I should be, but I’m pushing myself to be harder. What I do every day is pray for the strength to be a good servant, father and husband. I ask for the ability to raise my kids, to teach and protect them, and to be disciplined and firm and loving and nurturing. It can be a fine line, so I ask God for the strength to not lose my patience with my children."

If it's any indication of his commitment as a father, Wahlberg even removed his tattoos for his kids, as the Independent reports.

"I don't want my kids getting tattoos," Wahlberg told the paper. "And I wanted them to be (removed) by the time I did 'The Fighter' because putting make-up on and covering them up has always been a pain in the butt."

"I've taken my two older kids to the procedure so they see how painful it is and what I have to go through."

Wahlberg’s tattoos point to his life before he met Durham and before he had children — his “bad boy” period. At that time, Wahlberg likely could not have imagined falling in love and settling down with Durham due to one of his first heartbreaks, as he explains in a 2013 interview with The Red Bulletin.

During that period of his life, Wahlberg was a “petty criminal,” as he explains it. In fact, he served 45 days for an assault charge, which spelled the end of his relationship with his first lover, completely shifting Wahlberg’s perspective on love.

“I don’t want to blame her now, but my heart was broken, and I decided: I am never giving my heart to a girl anymore. Everything, but not that,” Wahlberg explained in his interview with the publication.

But then Wahlberg met Durham.

“It was not until I met my wife and we had our daughter that I went, ‘Oh my god, this is happening to me for a reason.’”

Wahlberg added that this epiphany led him to have “the utmost respect for women,” an important lesson that he has also passed on to his kids.

Wahlberg and Durham got married in 2009. During this time, Durham was working, but she still wanted to be a wife. Since they got married, they've made a continuing effort to spend quality time together. In a 2015 interview with Us Weekly, Wahlberg stated that he thinks it is important for spouses to spend time together. He also revealed that this attitude has helped him maintain a successful marriage over the past decade.

During a 2015 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Wahlberg shared another tip for marriage. He explained that he and his wife keep their love glowing by showing off his skills and dressing as a handyman.

“She just wants me fixing things,” Wahlberg said during his appearance on the show. “I wear a (tank top) around the house and walk around with a hammer or a screwdriver … Like, I’m gonna fix the door or something, fix the garage.”

Another key relationship tip that Wahlberg offers is that alone time is important.

For example,Wahlberg told Redbook in 2012 that he and Durham go off and do their own things during the day before going to dinner as a couple — a proper date night. But at the end of the night, Wahlberg said that they also end up going home and putting the kids to bed together, regardless of whether or not he and Durham were out on the town.

For years, Wahlberg was never interested in having a family since he was hurt by his lover at an early age. However, when he met Durham, his idea about family life changed. He ended up falling for her because he believed that she loved him for who he was. Today, the two lovebirds seem like a solid couple and thoughtful parents to their kids. As Wahlberg’s life story demonstrates, it’s amazing how meeting someone can change your life.

What do you think about Wahlberg and Durham's relationship? Reflect on what you have read in this article and let us know what you think. And don't forget to pass this on to friends and family members who might be interested!