Some couples elect to have their cake and eat it, too, as they choose to have open relationships and marriages. Celebrities have been known to follow this path, too, engaging in non-traditional relationships as they are forced to spend long periods of time away from their wife or long-time significant other.
For some, the arrangement works well. For others it has ended the relationship. The idea seldom works unless both parties are in it for the long haul. Here is a list of celebrity couples who embrace open relationships.
David Beckham & Victoria Beckham
In 1999, Victoria Adams (better known as Posh Spice from the Spice Girls) married the Manchester United soccer legend, David Beckham. The power couple has a family, but there have been swirling rumors that there is an agreement for an open marriage.
David has been spotted cheating a few times, the first when he was linked in 2007 to Irma Nici and again in 2010. Victoria has remained quiet, adding fuel to the open-marriage rumors.
Find out who skipped the "forsake all others" part of their vows:
Megan Fox & Brian Austin Green
It isn’t uncommon for superstar males to take full advantage of open relationships while their partners are either forbidden or simply don’t follow through.
In a twist on this theme, Megan Fox is reportedly permitted to date others, but her husband Brian Austin Green is not. It seems her husband is fine with this arrangement.
Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith
One of the cutest couples in America has agreed to an open-marriage arrangement, but in a sweet twist, neither of them seem to have acted on the agreement.
Jada told the HuffPost in an interview that she has told Will, “You can do whatever you want as long as you can look at yourself in the mirror and be okay.'”
Robin Thicke & Paula Patton
In a threesome gone wrong, Robin Thicke and Paula Patton invited a massage therapist to the marriage chambers; she decided to keep things rolling with Thicke whenever Paula wasn’t around.
Paula Patton, who had been in an open-marriage agreement with Thicke, decided this was one line she didn’t want crossed and the couple broke up.
Jay Z & Beyoncé
Jay Z and Beyoncé are no strangers to inviting others into the bedroom when they aren’t working.
While Jay Z is taking full advantage of his open marriage, there is a rumor that Beyoncé is growing tired of his womanizing. Rumors are spreading that their relationship is unlikely to last.
Pink & Carey Hart
Pink and Carey Hart have already had their open relationship tested when they broke things off in 2003, and then again in 2008 over the same open marriage policy.
They are together again, but this time they have closed the door on others and seem to be far happier than they were.
Justin Timberlake & Jessica Biel
While dating casually, Jessica and Justin were in an open relationship. Now that the two are settling down, they have firmly closed the door and decided to keep their relationship between the two of them.
In an interview with Ellen, Jessica shared her ideas of marriage that included sharing life’s adventures and its up and downs with one special person.
Tilda Swinton & John Byrne
John Byrne and Tilda Swinton are the parents of twins and live in an open marriage arrangement. Both are carrying on relationships outside of the marriage.
Tilda says that while this is the best choice for the kids, it isn’t anything that she actively promotes as an acceptable if radical, lifestyle.
T-Pain & Amber Najm
Welcome to my hood, extra lady in the bedroom. T-Pain and Amber Najm both enjoy a little extra in their romance, and frequently ask a second girl to join the party.
The couple has been married for ten years and are the parents of three kids. The couple has an open marriage, and they have no plans to change it unless one of them becomes uncomfortable and changes their mind.
Larry King & Shawn Southwick
On again, off again, open door, closed-door: Shawn Southwick is King’s 7th wife, but this one seems to have stuck as they have been married for 17 years.
The couple is also very much aware of their partner’s need for extra entertainment, but it didn’t seem to matter until 2010 when the couple began divorce proceedings. They have since called off the divorce.
Mo’nique and Sidney Hicks
Sidney Hicks and Mo’nique have an open relationship, but it seems to be a bit lopsided. While Hicks’ affair was uncovered, Mo’nique claims that she will never take advantage of the understanding and never let the affair sway her away from him.
The duo has been best friends for 25 years, and Mon’nique is in it for the long run.
Ethan Hawke & Ryan Shawhughes
In 2008, Ethan Hawke and Ryan Shawhughes tied the knot. Hawke promptly told Ryan that monogamy wasn’t his style; he doesn’t believe that monogamy is a natural state for humans and that fidelity is, in fact, childish.
Amazingly, Hawke doesn’t seem to have taken advantage of his open arrangement and says he is still 100% loyal to Ryan.
Demi Moore & Ashton Kutcher
During the couple’s eight-year marriage, Demi and Ashton had an open relationship. Moore didn’t mind infidelity, she hated the lies about being involved with someone and hiding it.
Kutcher seems to have developed a relationship with someone without Demi knowing, and that was, to Demi, considered cheating. The duo broke it off soon after the incident.
Newt Gingrich
This one seems to pack a little more “wow” than some of the others; Newt Gingrich, the 1999 presidential hopeful, toured the US delivering emotional speeches about religious values and the importance of family.
Meanwhile, behind closed doors, Gingrich reportedly constantly hounded his now ex-wife Marianne for an open marriage understanding. Newt claims that these rumors are unfounded, but he admits that he had been unfaithful to her.
Chris Martin & Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin had an open marriage that ultimately ended after ten years because of their decision.
Paltrow has said that she and her husband were adults and free to make choices. She goes on to add that every couple needs to solve their own problems however they can, in ways that make sense for both parties.
Zac Efron & Vanessa Hudgens
Despite their on-screen portrayals, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgins lived life a bit differently. When Efron didn’t settle down until he reached forty, Vanessa Hudgins decided to give an open relationship a try.
Ultimately, Vanessa admitted that the arrangement was not a good one and that she often felt jealous. The couple ended up splitting up over their open relationship deal.
It doesn't stop here... keep going
Kim Kardashian and Nick Cannon
What’s good for the gander was not good for the goose in the relationship between Nick Cannon and Kim Kardashian.
The door was only half-opened; Kim could live a lavish lifestyle while with Nick, but she needed to be ok with his multiple affairs without having any of her own.
Cindy Margolis & Guy Starkman
When Margolis wed the restaurateur Guy Starkman, it was suspected that they had only married to have kids.
Rumors began, speculating that the couple had been having affairs all throughout the marriage. Their first child, Nicholas, was born in 2002 followed by twin girls in 2005. Three must have been the charm because after the twins were born, the couple split up.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus & Brad Hall
It’s no surprise that Seinfeld’s Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who played the lovably neurotic Elaine Benes, would support a progressive life choice like open marriage.
The couple’s arrangement is still the source of speculation although they have been married over 30 years. The couple has neither confirmed nor denied the rumors, and they have never been seen acting on them.
Dolly Parton & Carl Thomas Dean
After 50 years of marriage, Dolly Parton and Carl Thomas Dean’s open marriage arrangement seems to work for everyone involved.
Neither party wanted to know about the other’s cheating, so they labeled the marriage as an open relationship. Dolly claims to be happy in her arrangement, stating in her book Dolly on Dolly: Interviews and Encounters with Dolly Parton that they are open and free.
He reportedly calls her Little Kid, Mama and Angel Cakes while she calls her husband Daddy. Unfortunately, Parton hasn’t always enjoyed happiness in her relationships and admits that she nearly committed suicide after one of her outside relationships came to an end.
John F. Kennedy & Jacqueline Kennedy
The secret that never was is John F Kennedy and his wife Jackie’s open arrangement. Kennedy has notably been linked with Marilyn Monroe before he was assassinated in 1963.
While Jackie appeared to have been okay with her husband’s philandering, some sources state that prior to John’s murder the couple was on their way to divorcing.
Shirley MacLaine & Steve Parker
Shirley MacLaine’s book I’m all Over That led to a revelation that she and her husband had an open marriage.
The actress has had a long career, spanning 60 years, and secretly married Steve Parker in 1954. While most of the relationship was secret, Shirley confessed in 2011 that, due to scheduling conflicts, she and Steve were not monogamous. After 28 years, the couple split in 1982.
Hugh Grant & Elizabeth Hurley
Even though Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley had been in an open relationship since the wedding in 1987, Hugh’s prostitution arrest was too much for Hurley and led to the couple’s 2000 divorce.
While Hugh had been with many other women, the prostitute was a step beyond Hurley’s comfort level.
Franklin D. Roosevelt & Eleanor Roosevelt
Franklin D Roosevelt, who’s leadership throughout World War II led the US to victory, was also somewhat of a lady’s man who had an ongoing affair with Lucy Mercer.
Eleanor turned a blind eye to the affair so that she could carry out her social contributions on the national stage and to protect her husband’s career.
Ludacris & Eudoxie Mbouguiengue
Ludacris, real name Chris Bridges, had been dating a Gabonese model, Eudoxie Mbouguiengue, since 2009. In 2013, Ludacris went public with the announcement that his ex-girlfriend, Tamika Fuller, was having his baby.
Soon after that announcement, Eudoxie shared the spotlight by heralding her own pregnancy, number four with Ludacris. On December 26, 2014, in Costa Rica, Eudoxie and Ludacris tied the knot.
Robert Crumb & Aline Kominsky-Crumb
Robert Crumb is best known for his work in series like Fritz the Cat and Zap Comix. The comedic genius is well known for contemporary culture satire and American folk art.
From 1964 until 1978, Crumb was wed to Dana Morgan, but he immediately remarried after the divorce was finalized.
His second marriage to Aline Kominsky, a fellow cartoonist, has lasted to the present day. The couple has a very open marriage with its concept rooted in the hippie movement of the 60s.
Once a year, Crumb goes to Oregon to visit his girlfriend while Aline has had a serious relationship with Christian Coudures. Robert Crumb frequently makes light of his wife’s relationship, stating that between himself and Christian, Aline has a perfect husband.
Josh Duhamel & Fergie
Las Vegas’ Josh Duhamel married The Black-Eyed Peas beauty, Fergie, in January of 2009 following five years of dating.
Despite Duhamel being caught in Atlanta with a stripper a few months prior to the marriage, the wedding proceeded. The couple has a son, Axl Jack, and has renewed their vows.
Kourtney Kardashian & Scott Disick
This Kardashian fights back, apparently not as happy being sidelined as her sister. In 2006, the reality TV stars Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick started a roller coaster of a relationship.
Disick is very open about his alcohol abuse and his extra-curricular affairs and was quite happy with the open relationship. Kourtney, however, became “disgusted” with his antics and broke up with him for good in 2015.
Tori Spelling & Dean McDermott
After Tori Spelling, of Beverly Hills 90210 fame, obtained her 2006 divorce from Charlie Shanian, she immediately married Dean McDermott.
While the couple seems to have enjoyed an open marriage at first, they seem to have closed that door after having their four children. McDermott has been caught cheating a few times, but the duo has remained together for ten years and no longer discuss their marital arrangements.
Henry Kissinger & Nancy Maginnes
No one would ever suspect that Henry Kissinger was a swinger, but many books point to his confessions as being true.
In 1938 Henry broke away from Nazi persecution and in 1969 he fulfilled his dreams of becoming a part of the United States political scene when he gained an appointment as the National Security Advisor.
He went on to serve under Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon. From 1949 to 1969, Henry Kissinger was married to Ann Fleischer but in 1974 he married again, this time to Nancy Maginnes. At the age of 92, Henry was willing to Kiss-inger and tell about his open and swinging lifestyle.
David Boreanaz & Jaime Bergman
We have known David Boreanaz since the 1990s after his appearances on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. He is currently starring on the TV show Bones where he plays Seeley Booth.
His initial marriage to Ingrid Quinn lasted from 1997 until 1999 before marrying Jaime Bergman, a Playboy Playmate of the month, in November of 2001.
After he was caught in 2009 testing his mistress, Bergman demanded hush money. Boreanaz went on to admit he was having an affair with Rachel Uchitel, who is no stranger to wrecking homes; she was the same woman who broke up Tiger Woods and his then-wife, Elin Nordegren.
Jude Law & Sadie Frost
Jude Law is a well-recognized face on screen and stage alike. He has, over the course of his career, been nominated for two Tonys, two Academy Awards, and three Golden Globes.
On the set of the movie, Shopping, Jude met Sadie Frost. The couple married in 1997 and went on to have three kids. Eventually, Jude Law, met Sienna Miller in 2003 while the couple was filling Alfie.
The engagement was canceled once Miller caught Jude Law with his kids’ nanny. He managed to reunite with Sadie Frost again, although he continues to cheat.
Matthew Broderick & Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah’s Jessica Parker certainly is living the Sex and the City lifestyle of free choice in her marriage to Matthew Broderick.
While the couple has three children together and remains somewhat private about their marriage, the rumor has always been that the duo is in an open marriage.
Broderick is reported to have cheated a few times, while other rumors indicate that Sarah Jessica Parker is also free to choose companions outside the boundaries of their marriage.
Snoop Dogg & Shante Taylor
Snoop Dogg has sold more than 35 million albums across the globe, but his heart stayed a bit closer to home. In 1997, Snoop married Shante Taylor, his old high school flame.
In 2004, for reasons unknown, the couple split only to marry again in 2008 and are still together. The rumors were circulating that in 2004, Taylor left Snoop because of his multiple indiscretions.
Taylor, however, married Snoop with a full understanding of his promiscuous lifestyle and has decided to stay by his side.
Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban
You don’t expect to see country superstars on a list of open marriages, but Keith Urban and his wife Nicole Kidman seem to share an understanding after their 2006 wedding.
Rumor has it that the actress and her fellow Aussie Keith Urban are in an open relationship; Keith’s seemingly close relationship with fellow country songstress Kelsey Ballerina during their tour may back up the speculation.
Kidman has told people in her inner circle that she doesn’t approve of cheating, but that she had trust in Keith to make intelligent choices. After Nicole’s 11-year marriage to Tom Cruise, Keith Urban may seem like a dream come true whether he cheats or not.
LeBron & Savannah James
One of the greatest NBA superstars of all time, LeBron James, has been married to his high school sweetheart Savannah James since 2013. He fell under the open-marriage rumor mill when his name was dropped by a fellow player as one of many NBA players involved in the open lifestyle.
LeBron has still managed to keep his name squeaky clean, which is remarkable. While it’s not clear if LeBron is in an open marriage, the anonymous whistle blower’s name drop did not go unnoticed.
Wendy Williams & Kevin Hunter
The star of the 2008 TV show that shares her name, Wendy Williams was a well-known rabble-rouser who enjoyed shocking her audiences with her R-rated comments and honest viewpoints.
In 1997, Williams married the man who would go on to become her agent, Kevin Hunter. Hunter has been accused of cheating in 2013, but Williams remarked in an interview, “I don’t regret it. I do think it’s a double standard with cheating.”
Gwen Stefani & Gavin Rossdale
Gwen Stefani is currently linked to country legend Blake Shelton, who had been married to fellow country singer Miranda Lambert. Gwen left Gavin, Blake left Miranda, and suddenly the two were an item after meeting during the filming of The Voice.
Gwen and Gavin had an open marriage that lasted for over thirteen years; she tolerated his indiscretions because he was “so hot.” Sometimes the couple will appear in public together for the sake of their kids that they are currently co-raising.
Alan Cumming & Grant Shaffer
Alan Cumming and his partner Grant Shaffer are the exclusive same-sex couple on this list. The pair have been together for a long time and are very open about their relationship.
Being in an open relationship allows the pair to fulfill their fantasies. The couple have agreed that they can meet other men provided they don’t use the app Grindr, a popular gay dating site.
Gabrielle Union & Dwyane Wade
As seen with Lebron James, the NBA is a well-known place for open marriages and relationships. Dwayne Wade claimed that he was faithful to Gabrielle Union, but that might have been a little less than true; it was revealed that Wade fathered another woman’s baby during the marriage.
Their relationship fell apart, and they have never discussed any open relationship arrangement in public.
Chris Brown & Karrueche Tran
Chris Brown’s relationship with Karrueche Tran is covered under a layer of strange silence. Karrueche has been patient with Brown’s affairs, tolerating the infidelity to stay with him.
For a conspicuously long time, however, there seems to be an odd relationship involving Brown, Rhianna, and Karrueche. No one is talking, though, so the entire thing remains cloaked in mystery.
Pitbull
While Pitbull is playing the field, he lets it be known that he doesn’t need to be tied down. In fact, he has stated openly several times that he believes in keeping his relationships free and open.
He explains, “What the eyes don’t see, the heart doesn’t feel.” With three kids from three different women, he certainly seems to practice what he preaches.
Magic Johnson & Earlitha Kelly
Magic Johnson contracted HIV after sleeping with a woman outside of his marriage. Two months after he announced his positive HIV tests, he married Earlitha Kelly.
In an astonishing display of generosity, Kelly forgave her husband and the two took their open marriage public. They remain happily married to this day. For the record, Magic Johnson is yet another NBA star.
Hugh Hefner & Crystal Harris
Hugh Hefner could never be expected to remain monogamous, and it’s a good thing. He starred in his own reality TV show, The Girls Next Door, and made it perfectly plain that he was as open as it gets.
Hefner eventually broke up with all three of his girlfriends and married Crystal Harris. It can be expected, though, that Hugh kept up his wild ways until his death in 2017.
Katharine McPhee
The former Smash actress and American Idol contestant was in a marriage to a man 19 years her senior, and never even tried to hide her cheating ways.
Her interview with Ocean Magazine revealed that she had no regrets about cheating stating, "All of the choices I made I learned from in a really deep way."
Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks
When Rita Wilson released “Forgiving Me, Forgiving You,” many fans were left wondering if art was imitating life. The singer and her actor husband, Tom Hanks, have both cheated during their 28 years together.
Tom Hanks was married when he met Rita Wilson, ala Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. They met during the filming of the 1985 movie Volunteers. Hanks said, “Well, yeah, I did happen to be married at the time, and there’s nothing to celebrate about that.”
Wilson’s song seems to describe her marriage and consequent infidelities while going on to explain that the couple stayed together despite all the pain.
Margaret Cho and Al Ridenour
Margaret Cho was married to artist Al Ridenour for eleven years until their 2014 divorce. Cho was open about the affairs both engaged in during the marriage.
In a 2013 Huffington Post interview, Cho claimed: “We have a really big house. It’s kind of like if we wanna have that, it’s like, ‘You can stay on your side or I’ll stay on my side.’ When I see her, I’ll make her dinner. … Oh yeah. I’ve definitely been in the house.”
Margaret accepts this with the good-natured humor that makes her one of the most popular comediennes today.
Bill and Hillary Clinton
The world was scandalized when Bill Clinton was outed over his affair with intern Monica Lewinsky. Washington’s scuttle claims that the Clintons have an open marriage, which is not an unusual concept among married couples in DC who stay together for political reasons.
The fact that Hillary stayed with Bill after the indisputable affair is a testament to their love, and a couple of grandkids between them may go a long way towards keeping them together.
Jane Fonda and Roger Vadim
The late French film director Roger Vadim was in a publicly known open arrangement with his actress wife, American actress Jane Fonda.
The couple married in 1965, and throughout the marriage were known to invite one or two others into the marriage chamber with them.
In addition, Vadim made no secret of his many affairs with a string of beautiful women both before and during the marriage. His wandering eye was caught by Catherine Deneuve and Brigitte Bardot, to name just two.
Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee
When Ruby Dee married actor Ossie Davis in 1948, the couple mutually agreed to an open marriage.
The duo wrote an autobiography where they explained, “It occurred to us, from observation and reasoning, that extramarital sex was not what really destroyed marriages, but rather the lies and deception that invariably accompanied it–that was the culprit.”
“So, we decided to give ourselves permission to sleep with other partners if we wished–as long as what we did was honest as well as private.” After such a public display of an open marriage, the couple would go on to change their minds about the concept and become monogamous in the marriage.
Marlene Dietrich and Rudolf Sieber
When Marlene Dietrich married Rudolf Sieber, her assistant director, at the age of 21, she continued her string of high-profile affairs.
The couple did have a daughter, but that didn’t tame the wild couple or keep them from sharing the swinger’s style; in fact, Sieber was known to join her from time to time.
Despite his wife’s constant infidelity, the two remained married until Sieber’s death. Some of the German beauty’s conquests include Greta Garbo, Kirk Douglas, Frank Sinatra, Joseph Kennedy, John Wayne, and Edith Piaf; a who’s who of Hollywood icons.
David Riva, her nephew, dished on his aunt’s affairs in a 2014 interview with the Daily Mail, saying: “[I]t wasn’t the physical side of sex that mattered. For her, intimacy was about power.”
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell seem to be “Overboard” when it comes to open relationships, remaining willing partners for over 34 years.
In a People interview in 2017, Hawn explained that staying with just one person is a tough order. She went on to explain, “You’re in the prime of your life, you are attracted to other people, potentially, you have fantasies about that.”
Goldie and Kurt seem to believe that communication and honesty are the keys to a successful relationship, and sources close to the couple affirm that the couple has been in an open relationship and are quite happy within their relationship.
Chris Robinson & Kate Hudson
Following her role in the 2000’s film, Almost Famous, Kate Hudson has been on an upward escalator of success. She went on to star in hit movies like Bride Wars and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. When Kate married Chris Robinson, lead singer of The Black Crows, many people were surprised.
The surprises kept coming, though; her father Bill confessed to the media that Kate wanted an open relationship and was interested in dating other men in Hollywood. Chris Robinson must not have liked the idea very much; the couple was divorced in 2007.
Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie
It was not exactly an eye-opener when Angelina Jolie dished about her open marriage with Brad Pitt in 2009, explaining that she didn’t think fidelity was a necessary element in relationships.
“It’s worse to leave your partner and talk badly about him afterward,” Jolie continued, “Neither Brad nor I have ever claimed that living together means to be chained together. We make sure that we never restrict each other.”
This concept seems to have been a failed one since the power couple Brangelina divorced in 2016.
Rachael Ray & John Cusimano
It isn’t entirely clear how open the relationship is between Rachael Ray and John Cusimano, or who’s idea it was to begin with. John is quite upfront about his infidelities, taking women on dates and going to Checkmate, a swinger’s club in Manhattan.
Amidst concerns that the relationship is an unhealthy one, Rachael Ray states that the couple is blissfully married and quite happy.
Emma Thompson & Greg Wise
Writer Greg Wise and the British actress Emma Thompson were married in 2003 and seem to be very happy in their relationship. Emma, however, has made a few comments in interviews that suggest that she wouldn’t mind being in an open relationship although they are not currently in one now.
She told the Daily Mail, “I think that we’re locked into certain ideas and certain romantic ideals that have shaped our thinking about relationships for some time.”
She went on to confirm, “And I do sometimes wonder about whether there are alternatives, and about whether our fury and rage and disbelief and horror about infidelity is quite realistic.”
Warren Buffett/Susan Thompson/Astrid Menks
Money brings a certain amount of power and freedom, concepts that Warren Buffet understands quite well.
With wealth totaling $75 billion, Warren Buffet has had a romantic history linking himself and two women simultaneously. Buffet’s wife, Susan Thompson, had been married to Warren since 1952.
The couple had three kids but separated in 1977. Warren remained married to Susan until she died in 2004 but began a long-term affair with Astrid Menks. In 2006, the two tied the knot and are still married.
Corey Feldman & Susie Sprague
Corey Feldman and Susie Sprague were married during an episode of The Surreal Life in 2002 after meeting at a club.
They both admitted to being swingers and willing participants of an open marriage. Feldman took this one step farther, and while it wasn’t common knowledge, he hosted multiple orgies. In 2009, the couple split.
Andrei Kirilenko & Marina Lopatova
In 2001, NBA superstar Andrei Kirilenko married Marina Lopatova, a Russian pop star. Lopatova has allowed Kirilenko to sleep with his choice of one woman per year.
Her reasoning was that athletes are highly sought after by females and that by making it permissible for him to have an affair she has taken away the allure of forbidden fruit. It seems to have worked exactly as she hoped; Kirilenko has yet to take her up on the offer.