Honestly, if you’re looking for a Hollywood scandal, you’ve come to the wrong place. In a town where marriages usually have the shelf life of a carton of milk, Sarah Jessica Parker and her husband are basically the gold standard. They’ve been together forever. Seriously.
So, who is Jessica Parker married to? The short answer: Matthew Broderick. You probably know him as the guy who played the ultimate truant in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off or maybe the voice of adult Simba. But to SJP, he’s been the guy since the early 90s.
They didn't meet on a movie set or at some glitzy red-carpet gala. It was way more New York than that. They were introduced through the Naked Angels theater company, which was actually founded by Sarah Jessica’s brothers, Pippin and Toby Parker. Matthew was directing a play there in November 1991. It wasn't exactly an instant lightning bolt—at least not for the first date. Matthew actually waited months to call her. He finally left a voicemail on February 1, 1992. It was apparently super charming and a bit self-effacing. Very on-brand for him.
The Secret Wedding and That Famous Dress
Most people forget that their wedding was a total "gotcha" moment. On May 19, 1997, they invited about 100 friends to the Angel Orensanz Synagogue in the Lower East Side. Everyone thought it was just a regular party. Surprise! It was a wedding.
And yeah, we have to talk about the dress. Sarah Jessica didn't wear white. She wore black. She’s mentioned later that she was too embarrassed to wear white and just bought the black Morgane Le Fay dress off the rack. She’s actually said she kind of regrets the choice now, but it’s still one of the most iconic "cool girl" wedding moves in history.
Why Matthew Broderick and SJP Still Work
People always ask what the secret is. They’ve been married for nearly 30 years now. In January 2026, Sarah Jessica was honored with the Carol Burnett Award at the Golden Globes. During her speech, she called Matthew her "brilliant husband" and thanked him for an "all-access pass to his masterclass in acting." It was a huge moment. They even shared a rare public kiss on the carpet at the Golden Eve event, which is unusual because they’re usually pretty low-key.
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One thing that keeps them grounded? They don't live in a Hollywood bubble. They’ve raised their three kids—son James Wilkie (now 23) and twin daughters Marion and Tabitha (16)—mostly in New York City’s West Village. They also spend a ton of time at their second home in Kilcar, Ireland. It’s a small village in County Donegal where Matthew spent his summers as a kid. It's about as far from the paparazzi as you can get.
Balancing Fame and Real Life
They’ve also worked together, which is usually a recipe for disaster. They starred in the Broadway revival of Plaza Suite in 2022 and even took the show to London in 2024. Sarah Jessica has mentioned that working together can be "dangerous" because their world gets small, but clearly, they’ve figured out the rhythm.
It’s not all sunshine, obviously. They’ve dealt with the usual tabloid nonsense for decades. Back in 2019, SJP even called out a magazine for trying to fabricate a "screaming match" story right before their anniversary. Her stance is basically: we don't owe anyone an explanation for our private life.
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The Timeline of Their Relationship
If you’re trying to keep the facts straight, here’s the breakdown of how they got here:
- 1991: Met through the Naked Angels theater company.
- February 1992: Their first official date (they went to the movies).
- 1996: Starred together on Broadway in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
- May 19, 1997: The surprise wedding in Manhattan.
- 2002: Welcomed their son, James Wilkie.
- 2009: Welcomed twin daughters via surrogate.
- 2026: SJP publicly celebrates nearly 30 years of marriage during her Carol Burnett Award acceptance.
Moving Forward with the Broderick-Parkers
If you’re following their journey, the best way to see what they’re up to is to keep an eye on the New York theater scene. Unlike most celebs who disappear into Los Angeles mansions, these two are constantly supporting local arts and the New York City Ballet.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out Matthew Broderick’s recent guest appearance alongside his son James on the series Elsbeth to see the family dynamic in action.
- Look for revivals at the Savoy Theatre or Broadway, as the couple frequently returns to their stage roots together.
- If you’re interested in their lifestyle, look into the history of the West Village or County Donegal, Ireland, to see the environments they’ve chosen to raise their family in.