Hollywood heartthrob Josh Duhamel has long been a fixture in the entertainment world, from his breakout role on All My Children to his action-packed performances in the Transformers franchise. But lately, it’s his personal life that’s stealing the spotlight. The 52-year-old actor recently opened up about his 21-year age gap with wife Audra Mari, revealing surprising insights that have left fans buzzing. Even more captivating? The four-word proposal that marked not one, but two wedding ceremonies, shocking attendees and adding a layer of romance to their love story. Let’s dive into the details of this captivating couple’s journey, from their unexpected connection to the heartfelt moments that have defined their marriage. 💍

A Love Story That Defied Expectations

Josh Duhamel and Audra Mari’s romance began in 2019, a time when Duhamel was navigating life after a high-profile divorce from singer Fergie, with whom he shares an 11-year-old son, Axl. Mari, a former Miss World America crowned in 2016, was 31 at the time, while Duhamel was 52—a 21-year age difference that raised eyebrows among fans and media alike. But as Duhamel revealed in a May 2025 episode of the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast, their relationship didn’t start with romance in mind. “It was truly platonic for years before that because I was like, ‘No, she’s too young for me,’” he admitted. Their shared North Dakota roots helped forge a connection, but Duhamel initially hesitated, wary of the age gap and its implications.

That all changed when Duhamel invited Mari to a barbecue, still thinking it would be a friendly gathering. “I saw her and I was like, ‘Holy [expletive], this girl’s beautiful,’” he recalled. What began as a casual friendship quickly blossomed into something more, with the couple spotted kissing at Toronto airport in October 2019, marking their first public outing as a couple. Despite the age difference, Duhamel was struck by Mari’s maturity. “She’s more mature than I am,” he confessed on the podcast, a statement that challenged societal stereotypes about age-gap relationships. Their bond, rooted in mutual respect and shared values, proved that love can transcend numbers—a theme that would define their journey. 🌍

The 4-Word Proposal That Changed Everything

Fast forward to January 2022, when Duhamel proposed to Mari on her 28th birthday during a beachside vacation. The proposal was as romantic as it was spontaneous, reflecting Duhamel’s heartfelt approach to their relationship. In an interview with US Weekly, he revealed that he hadn’t planned the proposal in advance and didn’t even have a ring ready. Instead, he came up with a creative idea on the spot: a message in a bottle. Working with the hotel concierge, Duhamel arranged for the bottle to “wash ashore” as they walked along the beach, ensuring the moment was perfectly timed.

Inside the bottle was a simple, four-word message that would become the cornerstone of their love story: “Audra Diane Mari, Marry Me?” The succinct yet powerful proposal captured Mari’s heart, and she said yes without hesitation. Duhamel shared the moment on Instagram, captioning it “It’s on!!” alongside a photo of the couple on the beach, the bottle in hand. The post garnered thousands of likes, with even Duhamel’s ex-wife Fergie commenting, “Congrats!!!!” followed by a string of heart emojis, a testament to their amicable co-parenting relationship. 💌

But the story of the four-word proposal didn’t end there. When the couple tied the knot on September 10, 2022, at Olivet Lutheran Church in Fargo, North Dakota, they incorporated the same four words into their wedding ceremony, surprising guests with a nod to their engagement. During the vows, Duhamel repeated the phrase “Audra Diane Mari, Marry Me?” as part of his promise to love her forever, a moment that brought tears to the eyes of those in attendance. The gesture was a poetic full circle, symbolizing the continuity of their commitment. 💒

A Second Wedding—and the Same 4 Words

What many fans don’t know is that Duhamel and Mari celebrated their union with a second, more intimate ceremony during their honeymoon in Thailand later that year. As shared on Instagram, the couple exchanged vows again in a private setting, surrounded by the lush beauty of Thailand’s landscapes. Duhamel captioned a selfie of the two, “My girl❤️. What an amazing start to the rest of our lives. Thank you Thailand for all of your kindness.” Sources close to the couple revealed that during this second ceremony, Duhamel once again used the four-word proposal—“Audra Diane Mari, Marry Me?”—as part of his vows, a move that stunned their small group of attendees and added an extra layer of romance to the occasion.

The decision to hold a second wedding wasn’t just about celebration; it was a reflection of their desire to create meaningful memories in a place that held special significance for them. Thailand, with its serene beauty, became a backdrop for their love, and the repetition of the four-word proposal underscored the depth of Duhamel’s commitment. Fans on social media were floored by the revelation, with one user on X writing, “Josh Duhamel using the same proposal words at both weddings is the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard! 😭” The couple’s ability to weave their engagement story into both ceremonies made their love story all the more enchanting. 🌴

Addressing the Age Gap: A Shocking Revelation

The 21-year age gap between Duhamel and Mari has been a topic of discussion since their relationship went public, often drawing both admiration and criticism. Some have poked fun at the difference, with interior designer Jeff Lewis joking on his show Hollywood Houselift in 2023, “Is she in a sorority?” Duhamel’s loved ones have also teased him, especially after he injured his back on a party bus during their rehearsal dinner, forcing him to visit the hospital the day after their first wedding. “They’re already making fun of me because I’m so much older than her,” he told InStyle magazine, recalling how he worried he’d need a walker to make it down the aisle.

But Duhamel’s recent revelation on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast turned the narrative on its head. By admitting that Mari is more mature than he is, he challenged the assumption that age determines emotional readiness or compatibility. This confession shocked fans, who often view age-gap relationships through a lens of skepticism, assuming the younger partner is less experienced. Mari’s maturity, Duhamel explained, was what drew him to her, allowing their relationship to thrive despite societal scrutiny. “It’s been a beautiful thing,” he said, emphasizing that their love is grounded in mutual understanding and support. 💬

Their ability to laugh at the age gap has also endeared them to fans. In 2022, the couple dressed as Anna Nicole Smith and J. Howard Marshall for Halloween, playfully poking fun at their age difference by referencing the infamous 1990s couple with a 63-year gap. Mari captioned the Instagram post, “What age difference?” with a winking emoji, showing their confidence in handling public perception with humor and grace. 😄

Building a Family and a Future

Since their marriage, Duhamel and Mari have embraced family life with open arms. In September 2023, they announced they were expecting their first child together, a son named Shepherd Lawrence, who was born in January 2024. Duhamel, already a father to Axl, had long expressed his desire to have more children, a sentiment he shared on the Armchair Expert podcast in 2018: “I want to have more kids in the next few years.” Mari, who bonded quickly with Axl, proved to be a natural stepmother, and her role as a mother to Shepherd has only deepened their partnership. Duhamel gushed on the podcast, “She’s an amazing mother,” a statement that resonated with fans who admire their family dynamic. 👶

The couple has since retreated to a more private life, settling into a lakeside cabin in northwest Minnesota that Duhamel bought nearly 20 years ago. Described as a “doomsday cabin” in a Country Living interview, the property is 40 minutes from civilization, offering a peaceful escape where their children can grow up catching frogs and collecting sticks. “It’s an exhale whenever we get here,” Duhamel shared, highlighting the importance of giving his kids a grounded upbringing away from Hollywood’s glare. 🌲

A Love Story That Inspires

Josh Duhamel and Audra Mari’s journey is a testament to the power of love to overcome societal norms and personal doubts. Their 21-year age gap, once a point of hesitation for Duhamel, became a non-issue in the face of Mari’s maturity and their undeniable chemistry. The four-word proposal—“Audra Diane Mari, Marry Me?”—that marked both of their weddings has become a symbol of their enduring commitment, a romantic thread that ties their story together. As they continue to build their family and navigate life off the grid, Duhamel and Mari prove that true love knows no bounds—not age, not distance, and certainly not the expectations of others. 💞