American-British comedy legend Ruby Wax is captivating a brand new audience with her appearance on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!, but away from the jungle, the 72-year-old has maintained an enduring 33-year marriage with husband Edward Richard Morrison Bye that defies conventional wisdom.
The Unconventional Union
Ruby Wax describes her marriage to quietly-spoken British producer Ed Bye as decidedly unconventional, crediting their relationship's longevity to spending significant time apart. The couple, who tied the knot in 1988 after meeting in 1985 during the filming of Girls On Top with Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, have developed a partnership that thrives on independence.
"I think it can actually be healthy for relationships to have your own space," Ruby explained in a recent interview, emphasising that not being "on top of each other" has been crucial to their marital success.
From Rocky Start to Lasting Partnership
The couple's romance didn't begin smoothly. Remarkably, Ruby initially wanted Ed sacked when they first met while working on the sitcom Girls On Top. Their contrasting backgrounds added to the unlikely pairing - the outspoken Chicago-born comic versus the quietly-spoken, British public school-educated Ed.
Ed comes from an established British background, with his father being Royal Marine Colonel Francis Clifford Edward Bye OBE. He attended Mount House School in Tavistock, Devon during the late 1960s and later studied at Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication.
The couple went on to welcome three children together: Max, 7, Madeleine, 35, and Marina, 32. Ruby has openly discussed how Ed brought balance to her life, particularly given her turbulent childhood.
"They must be the first generation in my entire family history that are normal. Ed is normal, too. That's why I married him," Ruby shared. "And boy, he can make me laugh. That's the ultimate. And he's brought balance to my life. I picked him on purpose. In fact, I married the perfect wife."
Surviving Challenges Together
Ed has stood firmly by Ruby's side during her well-publicised battle with clinical depression. During particularly difficult periods, he would collect her from the Priory clinic in her pyjamas to attend mindfulness courses, demonstrating unwavering support throughout her mental health journey.
Ruby's approach to marriage extends to their social lives as well. "I have my friends, he has his friends. I don't assume we have the same tastes. It's understood we both have different careers," she explained, highlighting their maintained individuality within the marriage.
This philosophy was put to the test during lockdown when the couple lived separately for extended periods, with Ruby spending time alone in a one-room countryside lodge. She admitted she's never been "much of a texter or caller," yet their relationship endured.
Meanwhile, on I'm A Celebrity, Ruby hasn't held back from discussing personal topics, including her lack of sex drive post-menopause and her "layers of Botox," showing the same candid approach that has characterised both her comedy career and her approach to marriage.
As their children have grown - with daughters Maddy and Marina carving successful careers in showbusiness through their comedy podcast Siblings Comedy and acting roles - Ruby and Ed's unconventional approach to marriage continues to prove that sometimes, breaking the rules creates the strongest bonds.
