You see him screaming about "more cowbell" or running around in tight elf leggings, and it’s easy to assume Will Ferrell is just as chaotic at home. But honestly? The reality is way more wholesome. People often wonder is Will Ferrell married in real life, perhaps expecting some high-drama Hollywood dating history.
Nope.
He’s actually one half of one of the most stable, low-key marriages in show business. Will Ferrell has been married to Swedish actress and art auctioneer Viveca Paulin since August 12, 2000. That’s over 25 years. In "celebrity years," that’s basically a century.
How Will and Viveca Actually Met
It wasn't some glitzy red-carpet encounter. Back in 1991, long before he was Ron Burgundy or Ricky Bobby, Ferrell was just another guy in an acting class in Los Angeles. They met at South Coast Repertory.
They dated briefly, but it didn't stick at first. It was "too much, too fast," as Will later put it. They decided to just be friends. For five years, they stayed platonic. Will moved to New York for Saturday Night Live, but they kept talking on the phone. He’s admitted he always kind of worried she was "the one that got away."
📖 Related: Judge Dana and Keith Cutler: What Most People Get Wrong About TV’s Favorite Legal Couple
Then came a break from SNL. He went back to LA, she invited him for a beer, and—in true Swedish fashion—she pounded two beers and told him she still liked him. Will was sold. He actually told his uncle he was going to marry her before they even officially got back together.
Who is Viveca Paulin?
While she's appeared in a few of Will's projects—like playing "Porsche Girl" in A Night at the Roxbury—Viveca isn't chasing the spotlight. She was born in Askim, Sweden, and moved to the U.S. where she eventually graduated from Pomona College with a degree in Art History.
She’s a powerhouse in the LA art world. She worked as an auctioneer for years and now sits on boards for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the Hammer Museum. If you’ve ever wondered why Will Ferrell seems so much more "cultured" than his characters, it’s probably because his house is full of high-end contemporary art and Scandinavian influence.
She's also the reason Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga exists. She took Will to Sweden to visit her family, sat him down in front of the actual Eurovision broadcast, and he was hooked.
👉 See also: The Billy Bob Tattoo: What Angelina Jolie Taught Us About Inking Your Ex
The Secret to Making it Last
Hollywood is a meat grinder for relationships. So, how have they stayed together for a quarter-century? Ferrell has been pretty open about it: they just make each other laugh.
"I think we were drawn to each other initially through our shared sense of humor," Ferrell told People. "That has remained the foundation of our relationship."
It's not just about the jokes, though. He’s called her his "partner in crime." They share a lifestyle that’s surprisingly normal. They don’t show up in the tabloids for fights or scandals. Instead, you’re more likely to see them at a USC football game (his alma mater) or a Lakers game.
The Three Ferrell Boys
They have three sons, all of whom have very Scandinavian names as a nod to Viveca’s roots:
✨ Don't miss: Birth Date of Pope Francis: Why Dec 17 Still Matters for the Church
- Magnus Paulin Ferrell (born 2004)
- Mattias Paulin Ferrell (born 2006)
- Axel Paulin Ferrell (born 2010)
Magnus is currently a student at USC and is a musician. Will actually famously DJed at one of Magnus’s fraternity parties in 2023, which is peak "embarrassing dad" energy. Mattias and Axel are also frequently seen with their parents at sporting events. Apparently, the boys find their dad funny, but they also give him plenty of "flak" for his antics.
Where They Live Now
The family primarily splits their time between Los Angeles and New York. They own a stunning, art-filled home in the Hollywood Hills that was formerly owned by Ellen DeGeneres. Despite the wealth and the fame, they seem to prioritize a "normal" upbringing.
Will and Viveca even started a scholarship fund together at USC—the Viveca Paulin and Will Ferrell Scholarship—which supports female athletes. They aren't just a "celebrity couple"; they're a team that’s deeply involved in their community and their kids' lives.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often ask is Will Ferrell married in real life because he plays "man-child" roles so convincingly. You expect him to be living in a basement eating cereal. In reality, he’s a dedicated husband who doesn't even have to buy his wife jewelry because, as he once joked, she’s afraid she’ll lose it and lets him "off the hook."
He’s a guy who found his person before the fame hit, and he stayed with her through the meteoric rise. That’s rare in any industry, let alone Hollywood.
To keep up with the couple’s latest philanthropic work or to see if Magnus Ferrell has released new music, you can follow their various charity foundations or keep an eye on USC’s alumni news. If you’re looking for a blueprint for a long-term relationship, look no further than the guy who once yelled about "glass cases of emotion." He seems to have figured it out just fine.