Retired actor Michael J. Fox and his wife, actress Tracy Pollan met on the set of the sitcom “Family Ties” in 1982 and dated for seven months before getting engaged on December 26, 1987.
The couple tied the knot the following year, in 1988. Michael and Tracy found happiness together, but his ongoing health issues have challenged the couple’s marriage.
Michael J. Fox and his wife Tracy Pollan attend the 55th Annual Golden Globe Award on January 18, 1998, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
He recalled how Tracy reacted when she learned he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease several years ago. He said his wife’s response made him emotional.
Tracy has dedicated most of her life to assisting her husband. For his part, Michael is thankful that she is always there for him. He said his longtime wife served as his “rock.”
Wife Takes Care of Michael J Fox for 30 Years
Tracy has been helping Michael with his bout with Parkinson’s disease for over three decades. A selfless woman, Tracy continues to look after her husband every day.
Tracy’s ability to see things from her partner’s point of view has helped her understand their situation better. Even if when they disagree about minor things, she still understands him. Pollan said:
“My first assumption is not that he’s not being unkind to me. It’s that something else was going on.”
She continued Michael did the same thing to her: he tried to understand rather than make assumptions about inappropriate behavior. “It’s all about acceptance,” Michael said.
Michael was only 29 when he was given the diagnosis in 1992. When Tracy discovered his condition, he said she didn’t blink as she had not expected it to happen.
The Hollywood actor said that Tracy had been on the front lines with him daily and that her sense of humor helped him get through difficult times with his condition. Michael added:
“She’s there in the front lines with me every single day. She never pretends to know as much as I know. And the other thing Tracy does is, if there’s something funny, let’s get to the funny. We’ll deal with the tragic later.”
Michae gushed about Tracy’s efforts to care for him and her role as a “rock” for him throughout the years. He described his wife as affectionate, kind, brilliant, and gorgeous. He said Tracy is also a good cook and a great mother.
In addition to his disease, Michael also had a tumor in his spine. In 2018, he had surgery to remove it, which meant he had to learn how to walk again. After four months, he fell at home, which caused him to have serious injuries on his arm.
Michael recalled lying on the kitchen floor with a broken arm while waiting for an ambulance to arrive. He expressed regret for his carelessness, saying he felt he had let down his surgeons.
Despite his feelings of self-pity after the terrible accident, he realized that having an optimistic outlook and a sense of gratitude helped him get through the difficult time that followed.
He stated that he was in a “really good groove.” He was overjoyed to have a wife and a family. He said he was also grateful to be given more time to spend with them. The couple shares four children: Sam, Aquinnah, Schuyler, and Esme.
Since Esme went to college, the couple has become empty nesters. Their three other children have led separate lives. With no kids at home and to pick up from school, Michael and his wife enjoyed more time together.
Michael said they sold their house, traveled to Santa Barbara for a couple of months, and even visited Malibu. As much as he is lucky to have a great family, Michael is fortunate to have a fantastic partner.
Wife Ran on Stage at the Oscars to Help Him
On November 21, 2022., Michael was recently honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 13th Annual Governors Awards in Los Angeles. Individuals whose humanitarian efforts reflected well on the industry were given the award.
On stage, he was seen having difficulty lifting his award, and Tracy eventually came to his rescue, went up on stage, and held the trophy. Tracy hugged and kissed her husband before returning to her seat.
In his speech at the ceremony, Michael opened up about the early years of his life, when he struggled with uncertainty after being diagnosed with the disease that affected his career, life, and family.
Michael J. Fox kisses his wife, Tracy Pollan onstage during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 13th Governors Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on November 19, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
He said Tracy made it clear that she would be by his side throughout the ordeal. He thanked his wife for her unwavering support. Instead of drowning himself in regret and sadness, Michael referred to his disease as “a gift.”
The screen legend has become an advocate for finding a cure for the disease, and in 2002, he established the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which is in charge of Parkinson’s disease research. The group had over a billion dollars for research.
Michael J. Fox hugs his wife, Tracy Pollan onstage during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 13th Governors Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on November 19, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Even though there is no cure for the disease, the foundation has been helping individuals with the same condition by giving them therapies. Michael said he is proud of all the people who have worked at the foundation.
Michael was deeply moved when the event organizers recognized his efforts. In addition to his wife, he also thanked many people who supported him. He said earning the prize was a “humbling” experience for him.
Michael J. Fox started acting in the late 1970s. He became famous for playing Marty McFly in the “Back to the Future” movies with Christopher Lloyd, who played Dr. Emmet Brown.
Michael retired from acting in 2020 and has focused his attention on his foundation. He recently released his memoir “No Time Like the Future,” which chronicles his life, his disease, and how he became an optimist after all the events in his life.