Let me tell you a story about love, resilience, and second chances. Ina Garten, the beloved Barefoot Contessa, and her husband, Jeffrey Garten, have been together for almost 56 years. That’s right—nearly six decades! But even the strongest relationships have their ups and downs. Ina recently revealed that they once faced a rough patch in their marriage, and it wasn’t easy.

In a heartfelt excerpt from her new book, Be Ready When the Luck Happens, which was shared exclusively with People, Ina opened up about the time she and Jeffrey separated. This isn’t just any couple we’re talking about; they got married in 1968, and Ina went on to build her iconic food empire, the Barefoot Contessa. But as you’ll see, even the most successful people face challenges in their personal lives.

When Life Throws You a Curveball

Here’s the thing: Ina’s life changed dramatically when she bought the Barefoot Contessa. She says, “When I bought Barefoot Contessa, I shattered our traditional roles—literally took a baseball bat to them and left them in pieces.” Now, picture this: Ina was juggling cooking, cleaning, shopping, and running her business all at once. She was no longer just a wife; she was a businesswoman. “My responsibilities made it impossible for me to even think about anything else,” she explained. “There was no expectation about who got home from work first and what they should do, because I never got home from work!”

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A Unique Living Arrangement

While Ina was busy building her brand, Jeffrey was in Washington, D.C., visiting the Hamptons only on weekends. This unconventional setup put a strain on their relationship. “I thought about it a lot, and at my lowest point, I wondered if the only answer would be to get a divorce,” Ina admitted. “I loved Jeffrey and didn’t want to shock—or hurt—him, so I’d start by suggesting we pause for a separation.”

That’s when she made the toughest decision of her life. “It was the hardest thing I ever did. I told him that I needed to be on my own,” Ina recalled. “I didn’t say whether it was for now… or forever.” True to his character, Jeffrey responded with grace. “If you feel like you need to be on your own, you need to do it,” he said. And with that, he packed his bag and returned to Washington, unsure of when—or if—he’d come back. Ina, on the other hand, buried her emotions and threw herself into her work.

Ina Garten on Separation and Reconciliation With Husband Jeffrey Garten — Taylor Hill/Getty Images

Ina doubted whether they could make it work. She was certain they might be heading for divorce because of their untraditional relationship. But here’s the twist: Ina gave Jeffrey a chance to prove his commitment. She told him that if he wanted another shot at their marriage, he’d have to go to therapy. And guess what? He did it.

The Power of Determination

“Jeffrey’s willingness to see the therapist was as significant as anything that might happen during their session,” Ina shared. “He was that determined to convince me he was serious about making our marriage work.” And it paid off. By December 2023, Ina and Jeffrey celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. To mark the occasion, they shared a sweet video of themselves playing the Newlywed Game on Instagram, which made fans fall in love with their relationship all over again.

During her book promotion, Ina also talked about why she and Jeffrey never had children. “I remember thinking very clearly, I don’t know why people have children. I just thought, Why would you re-create that?” she told The New Yorker in an interview published on September 2. “I would be terrified.” In the early years, Jeffrey would occasionally bring up the topic of having kids, but Ina would always change the subject. Eventually, they stopped talking about it altogether.

Be Ready When the Luck Happens will be available on October 1. If you’re a fan of Ina’s, this book is a must-read. It’s not just about recipes; it’s about life, love, and everything in between.