Jodie Foster and Alexandra Hedison have been one of Hollywood’s most private yet enduring couples since they tied the knot in 2014. The Oscar-winning actress and the accomplished photographer have built a relationship grounded in mutual support, shared values, and a deep commitment to keeping their personal lives out of the spotlight. As Foster continues to make headlines for her recent achievements—like her 2025 Golden Globe win for True Detective: Night Country—fans remain curious about the woman who has captured her heart and the journey they’ve shared over the past decade. Here’s a look at Jodie Foster and Alexandra Hedison’s relationship timeline, from how they met to the milestones that define their love story.
The Beginning: A Private Connection in 2013
Jodie Foster and Alexandra Hedison’s relationship began in 2013, a pivotal year for Foster both personally and publicly. At the 2013 Golden Globes, while accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement, Foster made headlines with a speech that addressed her sexuality and personal life with humor and candor. She jokingly declared herself “single,” saying, “I have a sudden urge to say something I’ve never really been able to say in public… I am single! Yes I am, I’m kidding. I’m not really kidding, but kind of.” In the same speech, she acknowledged her 14-year relationship with ex-partner Cydney Bernard, with whom she shares two sons, Charles (born 1998) and Kit (born 2001). The speech was a rare moment of openness for Foster, who had long guarded her privacy, a trait she would carry into her relationship with Hedison.
Just months after the Golden Globes, Foster was spotted with Alexandra Hedison, sparking rumors of a new romance. The Hollywood Reporter noted that the two were seen together at a technology seminar at Fox Studios in Los Angeles in the summer of 2013, followed by a dinner with friends a few days later. A source told E! News at the time, “It’s pretty serious. They’re totally in love.” The couple was also spotted at the opening night of Alan Cumming’s Macbeth on Broadway earlier that spring, further fueling speculation. While neither Foster nor Hedison confirmed the relationship publicly, their appearances together suggested a deep connection.
Hedison, born in 1969 in Los Angeles, comes from a family with ties to the entertainment industry. Her father, David Hedison, was an actor known for playing Felix Leiter in two James Bond films, Live and Let Die (1973) and Licence to Kill (1989), while her mother, Bridget Hedison, worked as a production associate on shows like Dynasty. Alexandra herself had a brief acting career, appearing in shows like Melrose Place, Lois & Clark, and The L Word, where she played Dylan Moreland in 2006 and 2009. However, she found acting unfulfilling, telling The New York Times in 2004, “I was supporting myself, but I was miserable. Actors need to be front and center all the time.” Instead, she pursued her true passions: photography and directing, fields where she could express her creativity without the constant spotlight.
A Quiet Wedding in 2014
After dating for nearly a year, Foster and Hedison tied the knot in a private ceremony in April 2014. The news was confirmed by Us Weekly, though no details about the wedding were shared, reflecting the couple’s commitment to privacy. A source told PEOPLE, “They are very private when they’re around people they don’t know. But when they’re together, it can be like they’re in their own world.” The wedding came just seven months after they were first linked, a testament to the strength of their bond.
That same month, the newlyweds made a low-key appearance together at an art show in Los Angeles, marking one of their first public outings as a married couple. Later in 2014, Foster brought Hedison as her plus-one to an Emmys after-party, a rare glimpse of their partnership in a public setting. These early moments set the tone for their relationship: supportive, loving, but fiercely private.
Milestones and Mutual Support: 2016–2021
Over the years, Foster and Hedison have occasionally stepped into the public eye together, often to support each other’s professional achievements or to advocate for causes they care about. In 2016, they attended the Hammer Museum Gala in Los Angeles, an event they would co-chair the following year in 2017, showcasing their shared commitment to the arts. The couple also participated in the Women’s March in Los Angeles in 2017, with Hedison posting a photo on Instagram captioned, “I could do this every day. #womensmarch #strongertogether #resist,” alongside a picture of them holding signs at the protest.
In 2021, the couple made several notable appearances that highlighted their mutual support. At the Cannes Film Festival, Foster was honored with the prestigious Honorary Palme d’Or for her lifetime contributions to cinema. Hedison accompanied her on the red carpet, and the two shared a celebratory kiss before Foster accepted the award. Hedison later posted on Instagram, “Proud of my wife #lifetimeachievementaward,” a rare public expression of her admiration for Foster’s accomplishments.
Later that year, during the 2021 Golden Globes, which were held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Foster won Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Mauritanian. A clip of the couple watching the announcement from home—snuggled on their couch in silk pajamas with their dog Ziggy in their laps—captured a tender moment when Foster kissed Hedison after her win was announced. Hedison shared the clip on Instagram, writing, “Behind the scenes shock. You won! Proud of you every day but this one was especially fun❤️.” The moment resonated with fans, offering a glimpse into their loving dynamic.
A Decade of Love: 2024 and Beyond
In April 2024, Foster and Hedison celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary, a milestone that coincided with a special event: Foster had her hands and feet immortalized in cement outside the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. During her speech at the ceremony, Foster reflected on the significance of the day, saying to Hedison, “Like, what are you thinking? How come you didn’t say no? I love you so much, and I’m so grateful for the life we have together.” The heartfelt words underscored the depth of their partnership, even after a decade of marriage.
That same year, Hedison premiered her short film ALOK at the Sundance Film Festival, a project Foster supported as an executive producer. Despite being on a major press tour for True Detective: Night Country, Foster flew in from New York at 4 a.m. to attend the premiere, a gesture Hedison described as “amazing” in an interview with PEOPLE. “She’s just so incredibly supportive and so happy for me,” Hedison said, highlighting the couple’s mutual encouragement.
In September 2024, Foster won her first Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series for her role as Liz Danvers in True Detective: Night Country. In her acceptance speech, she dedicated the win to her family, concluding with, “To the love of my life, Alexandra Hedison, my wife.” The camera panned to Hedison in the audience, capturing her beaming with pride. The moment was especially meaningful for the couple, who rarely share such public displays of affection.
Earlier this year, in January 2025, Foster won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Limited Series for the same role, and Hedison was by her side at the event and the Netflix after-party that followed. Hedison also marked Foster’s birthday in November 2024 with a sweet Instagram post, writing, “Loving you is easy as cake. Happy birthday, beautiful,” alongside a photo of a smiling Foster. These small but significant gestures reflect the couple’s enduring love, even as they continue to prioritize privacy.
A Partnership Built on Shared Values
Throughout their relationship, Foster and Hedison have balanced their public and private lives with care. Foster, who has been in the spotlight since childhood, has long valued privacy, a stance she articulated during her 2013 Golden Globes speech: “If you had been a public figure from the time that you were a toddler… then maybe then you too might value privacy above all else.” Hedison, too, has shied away from the limelight, focusing on her photography, which is displayed in galleries and private collections worldwide, and her directing projects, like ALOK.
Their shared experiences in the entertainment industry—Foster as a celebrated actress and filmmaker, Hedison as a former actress turned photographer—have likely strengthened their bond. Both women understand the pressures of Hollywood and have chosen to carve out a space for themselves that prioritizes authenticity over fame. Foster has spoken about their dynamic in interviews, noting to The Guardian in 2024 that they like to keep their work lives separate but recognize each other’s strengths: “I’m a really good letter writer. And she’s extraordinarily visual. Great photographer.”
As of May 2025, Foster and Hedison continue to thrive as a couple, supporting each other through career milestones while maintaining the privacy that has defined their relationship from the start. Their story is a testament to the power of love, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to living life on their own terms—a rare and beautiful thing in the often-chaotic world of Hollywood.