Actor Chris Hemsworth has revealed that he and his wife, actress Elsa Pataky, have gone through several “complicated phases” during their 15-year marriage.

Speaking on the podcast On Purpose with Jay Shetty on December 15, the 42-year-old star reflected on the periods when life became overwhelmingly centered on work and raising children, causing the couple’s relationship to fade into the background.
“Elsa was working, I was working, and then everything became chaotic because of the kids’ schedules,” he explained.

According to Hemsworth, what helped them navigate those difficult stretches was consciously stepping away from the constant busyness and making intentional time for one another—creating space for their relationship instead of letting outside pressures take over.

When host Jay Shetty suggested that managing time must be especially challenging for two actors with packed schedules, Hemsworth said this struggle is universal.
“Everyone deals with this. It’s all relative. Yes, there are challenges, but we’re also fortunate to have the ability to organize our lives and make things work,” he noted.

The Thor star emphasized that humor, a sense of adventure, curiosity, and openness are crucial in marriage. “When there’s nothing left to talk about, when you’re no longer curious or interested in your partner—that’s when it becomes a problem,” he said. He also stressed that forgiveness, empathy, and accepting each other’s flaws are key to maintaining balance in a long-term relationship.

Hemsworth and Pataky, who starred in the Fast & Furious franchise, met in 2010 and married that same Christmas. They share three children: 13-year-old daughter India and 11-year-old twin sons Sasha and Tristan. After spending years in Los Angeles, the family now lives in Byron Bay, Australia.

Earlier this year, in an interview with Hello magazine, Pataky echoed similar sentiments, saying she and her husband work hard to “stay curious about each other” even after more than a decade together.
“You have to be willing to adapt, because there will be circumstances that pull you apart,” the 49-year-old actress said. “What matters most is knowing how to find your way back to each other.”