They met at a charity hockey game. It sounds like a scene pulled straight from one of Candace’s own Hallmark scripts, doesn't it? Dave Coulier—good old Uncle Joey—introduced them back in 1994, and honestly, the rest is history.
Candace Cameron and husband Valeri Bure have been married since 1996. That is nearly thirty years. In Hollywood years, that’s basically a century. But don't let the glossy Instagram photos fool you into thinking it's been all sunshine and Napa Valley sunsets. They've been remarkably open about the fact that staying together hasn't always been easy.
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The "Rough Season" Nobody Saw Coming
Last year, Candace dropped a bit of a bombshell on her podcast. She admitted there was a "rough season" where things got so dark she wasn't sure they’d make it through. We often see the red carpets and the smiles, but she described moments of "deep brokenness." It’s a level of vulnerability you don't usually get from A-list stars.
The most surprising part? Their son, Lev, was the one who helped pull them back from the edge.
He apparently sat them down and preached a 45-minute sermon on marriage. Talk about a role reversal. Imagine your kid holding a Bible on the couch, telling you why your marriage matters when you’re at your breaking point. It worked. They chose to "break it down into broken pieces" and rebuild it better.
Who is Valeri Bure, Really?
Most people know him as "the husband," but Valeri was a powerhouse in his own right long before he was a fixture on Candace’s social media.
- The Russian Pocket Rocket: That was his nickname in the NHL.
- The Stats: He played over 600 games, racking up 400 points.
- The Teams: He bounced around from the Montreal Canadiens to the Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers.
- The Retirement: Injuries to his back and hip forced him out in 2004, which is when he shifted gears entirely.
Now? He’s a winemaker. He runs Bure Family Wines in St. Helena. It's not just a hobby; it’s a high-end boutique operation. Valeri is the guy who prefers the quiet of the vineyard to the flash of the cameras, which creates an interesting dynamic with a wife who has been in the spotlight since she was a kid.
Growing the "Full House"
They have three kids: Natasha, Lev, and Maksim. And 2024 and 2025 were massive years for the Bure clan.
First, Lev got married to his wife, Elliott, in early 2024. Then, just this past September, their daughter Natasha married actor Bradley Steven Perry (you might remember him from Disney’s Good Luck Charlie). It was a huge Malibu wedding at Calamigos Ranch.
Candace was the "something blue" at the wedding, wearing a blue dress to honor the tradition.
The kids are all in their 20s now, and the "empty nest" phase is hitting the couple hard. Candace has mentioned that you have to "find your relationship again" once the kids move out. The rhythms change. The schedules aren't dictated by hockey practice or school runs anymore. It's just the two of them and the wine.
What Most People Get Wrong About Their "Submissive" Marriage
You’ve probably seen the headlines. Years ago, Candace used the word "submissive" to describe her role in the marriage, and the internet basically melted down. People thought she meant she was a doormat.
She clarified that it's more about "meekness" and choosing to let her husband lead in certain areas to avoid constant clashing. It’s a theological perspective that ruffles feathers, but for them, it’s the "blueprint" that keeps the peace.
They don't have a "perfect" marriage. They have a committed one.
How to Apply the Bure "Success Formula"
If you're looking for the secret sauce behind a 29-year marriage, it basically boils down to three things they talk about constantly:
- Constant Reevaluation: They don't just coast. They check in every year to see what's working and what's not.
- Prioritizing the Partnership: Candace says your kids will try to pit you against each other (unintentionally). You have to stay on the same team.
- The "Check Your Ego" Rule: Especially in a household with two high achievers, someone has to be willing to yield.
It’s not always pretty. Sometimes it involves 45-minute sermons from your children and "valleys of real struggle." But in an industry where marriages last as long as a TikTok trend, Candace and Valeri are proving that the long game is actually winnable.
Next Steps for Your Own Relationship Rhythms
If you’re feeling a "rough season" in your own life, take a page from the Bures and try a "marriage audit." Sit down this weekend—no phones allowed—and ask your partner what the "rhythm" of your house feels like right now. Sometimes just acknowledging the "deep brokenness" is the first step toward the restoration Candace always talks about.