:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2)/candace-cameron-bure-valeri-bure-6-f5dc0a4926364e48b3757c1ab428213b.jpg)
You probably know her as D.J. Tanner, the eldest daughter who basically raised America on Full House. Or maybe you know her as the "Queen of Christmas" who jumped ship to Great American Family. But if you follow Candace Cameron Bure on Instagram, you know the real costar of her life isn't a sitcom actor—it's her husband, Valeri Bure.
They’ve been married since 1996. In Hollywood years, that’s practically several lifetimes.
People look at them and see this "perfect" Christian couple with the blonde hair and the Napa Valley winery. But honestly? It hasn't always been roses and sunshine. Just recently, Candace got surprisingly real about a "rough season" that almost ended everything. It turns out, staying married for 30 years takes a lot more than just matching outfits and shared faith.
How Candace Cameron Bure and husband Valeri Bure actually met
Most people assume two famous people meet at a fancy gala or on a movie set. Nope. This started at a skating rink in 1994. Candace was only 18. Her Full House costar Dave Coulier (Uncle Joey) was playing in a charity hockey game in Los Angeles. He told her, "Hey, there’s this really cute Russian pro hockey player you need to meet."
That player was Valeri Bure. He was 20, a rising star for the Montreal Canadiens, and apparently, he had no idea who "D.J. Tanner" was.
The meeting was pure 90s chaos. They literally met on an escalator. Candace was so nervous she didn't have paper on her, so she wrote her phone number on a blank check and handed it to him. Talk about a bold move. Valeri called her the very next morning at 10 a.m. to ask her to lunch.
They went on their second date six months later in Fredericton, New Brunswick. By June 1996, they were standing at an altar. She was 20; he was 22. Everyone thought they were too young. Maybe they were, but they’re still here.
💡 You might also like: Elisabeth Harnois: What Most People Get Wrong About Her Relationship Status
The "Rough Season" that almost broke them
We need to talk about what happened in 2020. While the rest of the world was sourdough-prepping, Candace Cameron Bure and husband Valeri were hitting a wall. On a July 2025 episode of her podcast, Candace dropped a bombshell: she wasn’t sure they were going to make it.
She called it a "really, really rough season." She didn't specify if it was the stress of the pandemic, career shifts, or just the weight of two decades of marriage finally catching up, but the vibe was dire.
The twist? Their kids saved them.
Their son Lev—who is now a husband himself—actually sat them down on the couch. He didn't just give them a "hey guys, get along" talk. He preached a 45-minute sermon to his own parents. He had his Bible open and basically asked them: Have you done everything you can? Is there one more ounce of grace you can give?
It’s kinda wild to think about a 20-something kid schooling his famous parents on commitment, but it worked. Candace credited that "pivotal moment" for changing the dynamic of their relationship. It forced them to stop looking at what the other person was doing wrong and start looking at how they could reconcile.
Managing the "Submissive" controversy
You can’t talk about Candace Cameron Bure and husband Valeri without mentioning the "S-word." Submissive.
📖 Related: Don Toliver and Kali Uchis: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
A few years back, Candace mentioned in her book that she takes a submissive role in her marriage. The internet, as you can imagine, absolutely lost its mind. People pictured her in a 1950s apron waiting for Valeri to tell her when she could speak.
But if you listen to her explain it, it’s more about "harmonious" leadership. She’s a Type-A, high-energy businesswoman. Valeri is a retired pro athlete with a strong personality. She basically argues that they don't want to constantly butt heads. She chooses to let him lead in certain areas to keep the peace.
"I am a very strong woman," she once told HuffPost Live. "To me, submission is a choice. It’s not about being a doormat. It’s about honoring my husband’s leadership in our home."
Whether you agree with that theology or not, it’s clearly the engine that keeps their car moving. They also aren't shy about the "spicy" side of things. Candace has been very vocal about the fact that a healthy sex life is a priority for them. She even caught flak for posting a photo of Valeri with his hand on her breast, but her response was basically: He’s my husband, we’re in love, get over it.
Life after the NHL: Wine and Weddings
Valeri retired from the NHL in 2005 after some nasty back and hip injuries. Instead of just sitting on his couch, he turned a hobby into a high-end business. They founded Bure Family Wines in St. Helena, California.
This isn't just a "celebrity label" where they slap a name on a bottle. Valeri is deep in the dirt. He spent seven years looking for the right property in Napa. They produce very limited runs—sometimes only 150 to 200 cases of certain blends.
👉 See also: Darius Rucker with Wife: What Really Happened and Who He’s With Now
The Bure Kids in 2026
The "Full House" is much quieter these days. All three kids are grown:
- Natasha (27): She’s followed her mom into acting and YouTube. She recently married actor Bradley Steven Perry (from Good Luck Charlie) in a huge Malibu wedding in September 2025.
- Lev (25): He’s the one who saved the marriage with that sermon. He married Elliott Dunham in early 2024 and works for the family wine business.
- Maksim (23): The youngest, he’s a hockey player like his dad and recently finished college.
Why their marriage actually works
It isn't just because they share the same faith, though Candace says Jesus is the "glue." It’s actually because they allow each other to change.
Valeri wasn't even a Christian when they first got married. Candace tried to push it on him, and it actually backfired. He told her, "Unless I ask you about God, don't talk to me about Him." That’s a hard pill to swallow when your faith is your whole identity. She had to learn to back off and let him find his own way, which he eventually did two years into the marriage.
They also struggle with the same mundane stuff we all do. Candace admitted she’s terrible at remembering anniversaries. Valeri is the sentimental one who remembers everything. She’s the one who forgets to buy a gift and has to apologize on Instagram Stories.
Actionable Takeaways from the Bure Marriage
If you're looking at your own relationship and wondering how they've made it 30 years while everyone else in Hollywood is getting divorced, here are a few "Bure-approved" strategies:
- The 45-Minute Rule: Sometimes you need a neutral third party (even if it’s your kid) to remind you of your core values when you’re in the heat of a fight.
- Prioritize Physicality: Candace is adamant that intimacy isn't just a "bonus"—it's a requirement for a happy home.
- Don't Force Growth: Whether it’s religion or a new hobby, pushing your partner usually makes them take two steps back. Give them space to arrive at the conclusion themselves.
- Find a Shared Project: For them, it was the winery. Having a "third thing" to focus on besides just the kids or each other helps maintain a partnership.
At the end of the day, Candace Cameron Bure and husband Valeri Bure aren't a fairytale. They’re a long-term construction project. They’ve survived cross-country moves, career retirements, and "rough seasons" by deciding that the "we" is more important than the "I."
If you want to follow their journey more closely, Candace’s podcast remains the best place for her unfiltered (and sometimes controversial) takes on family life. Otherwise, keep an eye out for a bottle of Bure Family Cabernet—if you can even find one.