Separate Bedrooms: The Key to a Thriving Marriage
Let me tell you something that might sound a little unconventional, but it works wonders. Barbara Corcoran, the feisty Shark Tank star, has been married to Bill Higgins for almost four decades, and she recently opened up about the secret to their enduring relationship. During an appearance on the March 28 episode of Today, Barbara revealed a surprising but effective strategy: separate bedrooms. "Really. I’ve had separate bedrooms with Bill for, like, the 40 years," she said with a laugh. "I have to invite him in. He invites me in. It keeps the sexiness in the whole thing." Sounds like a plan, right?
A Match Made in Heaven (With a Twist)
Bill and Barbara tied the knot in 1988, but their love story began long before that. They were together for several years before walking down the aisle. Now, here's the kicker: Bill is, in Barbara's own words, "such a mess." He has a habit of leaving piles of stuff everywhere, which used to drive her crazy. But thanks to their separate sleeping arrangements, Barbara can maintain her neat and tidy space, ensuring she sleeps like a baby. It's a win-win situation for both of them, proving that sometimes the little things can make all the difference in a relationship.
Building a Family Together
Barbara and Bill are not only partners in life but also proud parents. Their journey to parenthood wasn't easy, but it was filled with love and determination. In 1994, after years of struggling to conceive, they welcomed their son, Tom, through IVF. A decade later, they adopted a daughter named Katie. Their family grew even more when their son Tom, married to Lia Higgins, gave them a grandson named Jackson. It's a beautiful story of love, resilience, and family bonds.
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The Art of Acceptance in Long-Term Relationships
Barbara has some sage advice for anyone looking to make a marriage last. In a February interview, she emphasized the importance of accepting your partner as they are. "A more sincere thing to say [is] you really have to take your partner as they are and not hope through the marriage they’re going to change," she explained. "Because they never do. You have to be satisfied. What you see is what you get." It's a powerful reminder that love isn't about changing someone; it's about embracing who they are.
Growing Together Over the Years
Being in a long-term relationship has profoundly changed Barbara. She admitted that over the years, she's become more tolerant, kinder, and softer. "I think I become more tolerant and kinder and have a softer eye as I get older and stay with my husband Bill for all these years," she shared. "Like, I could have more empathy much more easily. I can call it up. Whereas only 15 years ago, I’d be very intolerant, not accepting of something." It's a testament to the growth that can happen when two people commit to each other and grow together.
Celebrating Life and Love
Barbara turned 75 on March 10, and she celebrated in style. Her friends surprised her by dressing up as her for the occasion. "I’d say 75 is looking good … on all of us!" she joked on Instagram. But this wasn't the first time she's celebrated life in a unique way. Back in 2019, she threw herself a mock funeral for her 70th birthday. "I found the perfect coffin and turned my living room into a funeral parlor," she revealed. "When people walked into my own funeral parlor, I could hear them gasp as they walked into the room. They thought I was really dead! A minute later they realized the hoax and the room was rolling with laughter." It's clear that Barbara knows how to make every moment count.
