Hilarie Burton and Jeffrey Dean Morgan just got married last year, but the two have been together for over a decade. In that time, they've totally shifted to a new kind of life as farmers in upstate New York.
Sure, both Hilarie and Jeffrey still act regularly, but when they aren't flying in and out of Los Angeles or hosting their AMC show Friday Night In With the Morgans, they're spending most of their time tucked away on the 100-acre farm they bought after their son Gus was born in 2010. Hilarie said that the transition surprised a lot of people, including herself.
"The ease in which Jeffrey and I were able to live together was a surprise. I think it was really shocking to my family members and friends, because I was always the girl who was very cautious. I’d thought my entire life out, and [moving] was crazy, like, ‘Let’s do it! Let’s run away!’ But it worked out!"
It sounds like "it worked out" is a bit of an understatement — Hilarie and Jeffrey have really built something special together.
Hilarie also explained that her husband's total confidence in himself has allowed her to grow and explore herself: "Jeffrey is the same guy now that he was when I met him. He knew 100 percent who he was and that was a delight. Because I could be the one who could experiment. Being with someone so solid allowed me to grow."
The two raise all kinds of animals on their farm: chickens, ducks, donkeys, cows, and emus. Hilarie said that moving out to the farm was a shift in a direction that she liked.
"Moving here was a let go. There is a very different view of what is attractive. An attractive woman is one who is hard-working, who can handle animals and lift up bags of dirt, not one with highlights or abs or nails. I’ve never felt more valued."
And they both actually work their farm, splitting chores 50/50. "We divide and conquer. Jeff likes going out to feed the animals in the afternoon and scratch their heads. There’s a lot going on. And it’s good work. We feel good at the end of the day."
She also said that it was Jeffrey's idea to get married, not hers. "I had reached a point where I was perfectly fine keeping on keeping on. But Jeffrey was like, ‘Wouldn’t it be great [to get married]? Gus would be my best and George will be there.’ That picture he painted was really attractive to me. Our wedding was a big thank you to all the people who have supported us."
And now she can't imagine her life any other way: "I have pinch me moments every day. My son was a gift, my daughter was a surprise and Jeffrey was a whirlwind. Watching all of them engage feels surreal. I have so much gratitude."
Hilarie talks about raising her kids and living out on the farm in her new book, The Rural Diaries: Love, Livestock, and Big Life Lessons Down on Mischief Farm.
Hilarie and Jeffrey were introduced by Jensen Ackles, who is married to Hilarie's former costar Danneel Ackles. In 2015, Jeffrey told the story: "I happened to be single and Jensen said, 'I've got a girl you should meet. So I went to a bar and I met Hilarie at a bar with Jensen and Danneel, and the rest is history … We ended up back at my house drinking shots of tequila."
They were both planning to fulfill work obligations in opposite directions, which could have derailed everything. "I was on my way to do a movie called The Resident in New Mexico, and she was on her way to Paris, and I talked her into, instead of going to Paris, to come and see me in New Mexico. And I ruined her life and now she's stuck with me."
Their son, Gus, was born in 2010. Hilarie shared that it took a long time to get pregnant with their daughter: "There’s something I really want to say to all the women out there who are trying … It took a long time for Jeffrey and I to have this baby. The first time I got pregnant, it took a year and a half. I surprised him on Christmas with baby Seahawk booties. We cried. We celebrated. We picked out names. And we lost that baby."
Jeffrey has said that he delivered both of his kids himself. "We didn’t use doctors, we used a midwife, so I delivered both of my kids. The first time I didn’t know, I was shocked that I was part of it … [The second] time I was a little bit more prepared and got in and got her out immediately. Hilarie was over it, so it was awesome. I got to deliver both my kids, for real, it was cool."
Hilarie and Jeffrey also co-own a candy shop with Paul Rudd and his wife, Julie Yaeger. The store, Samuel's Sweet Shop, is also in upstate New York. "A friend of ours, who owned it for 20-plus years passed away tragically … We own a candy store in upstate New York and we have great coffee and great chocolates."
Hilarie announced that they had gotten married in October 2019: "We've lived as husband and wife for a decade. We've built a family, and a farm and found our community. For years, publications have reported that we got married in 2014 or 2015 and that I've been married and divorced before. All untrue. But WE knew our truth. So it felt silly to try and correct anything."
