Mark Wahlberg Split from Wife Who Made Him Trust Love after 1ST Kids Birth They Wed amid Her

Mark Wahlberg has not always believed in true love after his heart broke at a young age. He swore never to give his heart to a girl again. Nonetheless, when he met Rhea Durham, he fell in love and became a believer again. Today, they are proud parents of four children. Follow along on their journey.

"Infinite" actor Mark Wahlberg's first brush with heartbreak came early. He fell in love with a woman and thought he had found his perfect match. But when he found himself locked up in jail, she denied him and couldn't wait until he got out.

With a broken heart and a skewed idea of love, Wahlberg decided he was done loving. For years afterward, he did not want to believe he could give his heart to somebody else.

Mark Wahlberg attends the NY special screening of FATHER STU at The Sheen Center on April 07, 2022 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

He recalls: "My heart was broken, and I decided, 'I'm never giving my heart to a girl anymore.'" Oblivious of what the future held, his views on heart matters remained that way for a long time. But that changed the moment he met Rhea Durham. Durham impacted Wahlberg's life so much that he credits everything good in his life to her. She changed his views on women and made him respect them more.

MARK & RHEA'S RELATIONSHIP WAS NOT ALWAYS EASY

Wahlberg and Durham met in New York, where the "Date Night" actor was doing a press junket. He asked if she wanted to come with him, and she said yes. He then asked if she would accompany him to St. Patrick's Cathedral the following morning, and she agreed.

She did not know it then, but that became the first of many dates. Wahlberg confesses that he knew the model was the one for him shortly after their first date. However, the actor had to ensure he was the man he needed to be before he could make things official with her.

Actor Mark Wahlberg (R) and his wife Rhea Durham arrive at the AFI FEST 2013 Presented By Audi - "Lone Survivor" premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 12, 2013 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

They soon settled down together and started a family. However, despite the instant connection and the obvious chemistry, their relationship suffered some hiccups. They broke up shortly after the birth of their first child, Ella, two years after they started dating.

The lovebirds could not stay apart for long, and soon after, they reconciled. They went on to have two more children, sons Michael in 2006 and Brendan in 2008.

The "Instant Family" star and the model finally exchanged vows in a Catholic ceremony in Beverly Hills in August 2010, when Durham was four months pregnant with the couple's fourth child.

Ella Rae Wahlberg, Rhea Durham; Mark Wahlberg attend Operation Smile's 2015 Smile Gala event held at The Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on October 2, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Wahlberg disclosed that they took their time to finally wed because Wahlberg needed to be ready to commit first. He was always wary of marriage because his parents divorced when he was a child.

In an interview in 2008, he said that he was never ready for marriage, no matter who the bride in question was. Initially, his commitment lay in building a solid foundation before exchanging vows, however long that took. He finally shared that the time had come to make the big step, saying:

"We're ready. I'm ready. She's been ready, but I think you know we both come from broken homes, and we want to succeed."

Actor Mark Wahlberg (R) and wife Rhea Durham attends the "Ted 2" New York premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on June 24, 2015 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

'YES' AND 'NO' IN THE COUPLE'S MARRIAGE

While love may have seemed like a distant dream for Wahlberg, he finally found the woman of his dreams, one that superseded his expectations. Today, he will not stop gushing over Durham. He praised her, saying:

"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."

Actor Mark Wahlberg and Rhea Durham attend the 'Pain & Gain' premiere held at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 22, 2013 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

From the onset, he knew she loved him for who he was and felt he could trust her. Before meeting her, he had no such plans and never felt ready to have a family, a feeling she changed in him.

He also noted that his feelings for Durham — who'd always wanted to be a mother and a wife — intensified when they started their own family. He confessed:

"You need the right woman in your life and that feeling that you're going to be together for a long time."

Actor Mark Wahlberg and model Rhea Durham arrive at the Los Angeles Premiere "Max Payne" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on October 13, 2008 in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

To have such a successful marriage involves a lot of work and respect for each other. And the "Lone Survivor" actor has mastered the art of respecting his wife.

He noted that even though he's been offered plenty of roles that involve steamy sexual scenes, he turns them down because his wife disapproves. He told WENN, as Closer Weekly reports:

"If it has anything to do with me kissing somebody, my wife's not gonna like it, so I'll fight to get it cut out. Those are the more important issues. I usually try to choose my battles wisely."

Mark Wahlberg and Rhea Durham attend the "2 Guns" premiere at SVA Theater on July 29, 2013 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

When you've been together for as long as Wahlberg and Durham, a union tends to get quite dull, but the couple has figured out ways to keep their love life spiced up.

Durham loves when her man dresses up as a handyman and enjoys it when he fixes or pretends to fix things around the house. They also primarily dedicate all Thursdays to date nights.

Every Thursday afternoon, they leave their house and go to an early movie or hang out. Then they'll grab dinner as they catch up on each other's lives. And yet, they still ensure that even as they enjoy each other's company, they do not forget to get home in time to tuck their babies in bed.

Rhea Durham, Mark Wahlberg, Brendan Joseph Wahlberg, Grace Margaret Wahlberg, Ella Rae Wahlberg and Michael Wahlberg attend Safe Kids Day at The Lot on April 26, 2015 in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

More than building their marriage, the couple enjoys parenting together. "I think the most important thing is to always be involved in every aspect of their life." He told Esquire, as Us Magazine reports.

Despite his storied Hollywood career, Wahlberg and Durham strive to keep their children grounded and grateful. The "Daddy's Home" actor shared that he worries his children won't appreciate the important things in life, owing to their growing up in a privileged lifestyle.

To curb any entitlement in their children, Wahlberg and Durham ensure to give their children the right tools to become great people. "You don't wanna give your kids everything without giving them the tools to be great people." He mused.

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