Josh Duhamel Reveals the Truth About His Surprising 21-Year Age Gap with Wife Audra Mari

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Josh Duhamel initially had no interest in winning a date with now-wife Audra Mari.

Initially, their online encounter as fellow North Dakotans put a halt to any romantic feelings they might have had, with him admitting that she seemed too young for him at the time.

On the May 14th episode of the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” podcast, Josh expressed that it had been purely platonic between them for a long time. He stated that from the beginning, he made up his mind: “I won’t even entertain that idea.

In casual terms, when the 52-year-old asked Audra, who is 31, to join him for a barbecue in the yard, he considered her only as a friend. Yet, after actually encountering the ex-Miss World America for the first time, his viewpoint gradually shifted.

“She’s more mature than I am,” Josh told host Amanda Hirsch. “That’s how we started dating.”

For Josh, it became clear early in his relationship with Audra, which began in late 2018, that she was the right one.

In a conversation with TopMob News in 2022, he expressed that they are a great match for one another. He referred to her as a wonderful young woman who helps him maintain a realistic perspective and stay humble.

In September 2022, the former star of “Win a Date With Tad Hamilton!” got married at their home state. Approaching two years later, they became parents to Shepherd, who joined Josh’s 11-year-old son Axl from his previous relationship with Fergie.

These days, the couple have settled down for a quieter life in rural Midwest.

In a chat with Parade magazine in April, Josh shared that one of the main motivations for constructing his home in the heart of Minnesota’s woods was its isolation from urban life. He further added that once they arrive there, it becomes all about fostering mutual care, creating cherished moments, and spending quality time with loved ones.

The relocation was also a chance for Axl and Shepherd, 16 months, to “get back to the basics.”

Josh mentioned, “My boy will always remember this spot, as he’s not engrossed in his iPad when we’re here. Instead, he’s with me in the boat, playing soccer on the beach, or exploring the woods, just like I am.

He remarked, “Additionally, I have a small child who will encounter similar circumstances. It’s not merely about enjoying an abundance of comforts and luxuries that we grow accustomed to. It’s truly about family. It’s about creating a lasting impact.

For more celeb couples who’ve spoken out about their age gaps, keep reading…

The relocation was also a chance for Axl and Shepherd, 16 months, to “get back to the basics.”

Josh mentioned that his son will forever cherish memories of this location, because he rarely uses his iPad when they’re there. Instead, they spend quality time together – either rowing a boat, playing soccer on the beach, or exploring the woods just as Josh does.

He stated, “I also have a small child who will go through similar experiences. Life isn’t only about enjoying comforts and luxuries we grow accustomed to. It’s essentially about family and heritage.

For more celeb couples who’ve spoken out about their age gaps, keep reading…

Ignoring comments about a significant age difference in their relationships is nothing out of the ordinary for these actresses. In her own words, as she spoke to Modern Luxury in 2018 regarding her relationship with Holland: “If someone prefers to view me as peculiar for adoring the most extraordinary individual on earth, that’s their prerogative. I’m thriving just the way I am.

Regarding the previous host of “Project Runway”, she dismisses any critical comments regarding her 16-year age difference with the guitarist from Tokio Hotel. Here’s how she put it in an interview with InStyle magazine back in 2018: “People often question my relationship because of our age gap, and they want to know more about it. That’s really the only time when age becomes a topic for me, and I have to address it. Otherwise, I don’t spend much time thinking about it.”

Heidi made it apparent that she will carry on living her life according to her own rules. As she put it: “The best way to live is by being happy without fretting too much over what others might think, because worrying only adds wrinkles to your face.” She married Tom the following year and continues to do things her way.

In a similar vein, the star of Quantico has pointed out an apparent double standard. She’s noticed that there’s a lot of talk about her being 10 years older than the Jonas Brothers singer, but she believes this wouldn’t be the case if the situation were reversed. Priyanka expressed this sentiment to InStyle, stating, “People have given us a hard time about that and still do. I find it quite fascinating when you flip it; if the man is older, no one seems to care, and instead, people actually appreciate it.

In a 2024 interview with The Guardian, when asked about her 23-year age difference with the actor who played Kraven the Hunter, the director casually mentioned that it’s rarely an issue in their daily lives. She explained that while some people might focus on it due to their lack of personal knowledge about them, she and Aaron have been together for so long that they simply don’t consider age as a significant factor anymore. In fact, she noted that her relationship with Aaron has even outlasted her marriage to her ex-husband Jay Jopling, who is only four years older than her. So, from this perspective, the age gap becomes insignificant.

Despite them both celebrating their birthdays on the 25th (September), they don’t always see eye to eye…in terms of their daily schedules.

In 2021, the star from Chicago shared with WSJ. Magazine that her husband is indeed 25 years older than she is, a fact not hidden from view. “It’s only natural for any relationship to experience its fair share of highs and lows,” she said. “The one constant in our relationship is love and respect.

In response to speculation about his relationship with the co-founder of Bonniedale Films, the former star of The Parent Trap maintains that only they should concern themselves with their romantic connection. In other words, the two individuals involved in the relationship are the ones who should be focusing on it.

Nonetheless, Dennis made clear in an interview with Today in 2021 that he and Laura remain unbothered by any attention surrounding her being 39 years younger. He stated, “We simply don’t acknowledge the age difference at all. We have never connected with anyone in my life as well as we do now. Our relationship is fantastic, and love finds a way, no matter where it appears. You never know when love will arrive, or who it will be for. And you have no control over it. All we can say is that we are beyond happy.”

Previously, the yoga instructor used to harbor prejudiced opinions about couples with significant age differences, dismissing them as gold diggers or empty-headed partners. However, after entering a relationship with a man who is 26 years her senior, she now finds herself in similar situations and realizes how unfair her previous judgments were. She acknowledges that every couple’s love may not resemble hers or the norm, but it does not diminish its validity.

Brace yourselves, here comes a tale from the actor known for ‘The Devil Wears Prada’. Back in the early days of his relationship with his literary agent, he nearly called it quits. In an interview on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Desert Island Discs’ in 2023, he candidly shared, “She was younger than me by 21 years and I feared I would always feel old if we stayed together.” However, he acknowledged that she was someone truly extraordinary.

It seems that both the actress from the movie Alfie and the actor from the film Lift find that not everyone may grasp the nature of their relationship, as Oli explained to Vogue, “It’s probably hard for others to comprehend, but there has only been love and happiness between us.” In essence, Sienna stated that it is unnecessary for others to comprehend their relationship, as she declared, “You can’t dictate feelings of the heart; I have never been able to do so myself.

Reminiscing on The Hoda Show, I chuckle as I recall asking my stunningly youthful wife, ‘If I were a Beatle, which one would I be?’ She quickly responded, ‘Rex Harrison.’ I paused, thinking back to our recent movie date with My Fair Lady. I thought she was referring to the film, but then she clarified, ‘No, no, George Harrison!’ Indeed, that’s the kind of mix-up we have due to our generation gap, but overall, life with Emilie has been a delightful journey so far.

The model also doesn’t feel compelled to instantly respond in a rapid-fire manner to those criticizing her 20-year age difference with the actor. Instead, she explained in an interview for Glamour back in 2013, “His wisdom and charisma are truly inspiring and appealing, traits that can only come with life experience.” She added, “We share a bond that transcends age, as our connection is rooted in something other than numbers. Our careers may ebb and flow, but having someone at home who cherishes and admires me greatly helps sustain my passion.

Regarding the perception of any criticism concerning the significant age difference between Katherine McPhee and her composer partner, it seems she has moved past such comments. In a 2023 interview on Dr. Berlin’s Informed Pregnancy Podcast, she shared her thoughts: “At first, I understood the judgment, but appearances can be deceiving,” Katherine said. “What truly matters is that I am in love with our love story.

One thing about Kristin’s relationship with her ex-boyfriend Mark Estes that was never predetermined or anticipated is their 13-year age gap. During a March 2024 episode of her podcast “Let’s Be Honest,” Kristin explained that dating someone 24 years old wasn’t something she actively sought out and was initially not something she thought would happen to her. Despite how it might appear to outsiders, Mark is not your typical 24-year-old, and there’s more to a person than just their birth year. Kristin believes that age is merely a number, and true maturity comes from life experiences, upbringing, and various other factors beyond just the numbers on one’s birth certificate. However, months later, Kristin revealed she had parted ways with Mark.

She stated during a podcast episode in October that he should live life extensively since those years are significant and formative. He’s young now, and she has felt her age more as life experiences accumulate. Reflecting on her own life at 24, she realized how much had transpired for her since then. Those years are crucial for self-discovery, and he needs that opportunity. She described their relationship as the best one in her life, and she hopes Mark will eventually understand that their separation was beneficial. She believes that one day, he may even appreciate it.

Initially, when the Academy Award winner found himself drawn to the lawyer, he wasn’t certain if she reciprocated his feelings. As he explained on The Howard Stern Show regarding their early romance with Amal, “I didn’t want to overplay my hand,” George said. “I couldn’t tell if she was interested because I’m seventeen years older than her, and she might have thought I was too old.” However, it eventually became clear that she felt the same way, and they got married in 2014.

The Bachelor alumnus, being 18 years senior to his spouse, finds that age is more of a figment than a fact. He eloquently expressed this sentiment during the March 2025 episode of his podcast, “The Viall Files,” stating, “In terms of age differences, appearance takes precedence.

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2025-05-20 00:47