Connie Chung Shares Secret of 40-Year Marriage to Maury Povich

After 40 years of marriage, Connie Chung has done more than enough research to know what she’s talking about.

The journalist revealed what made her marriage to Maury Povich successful since they tied the knot in 1984.

“If you really break it down, Maury and I have always done our own thing,” Chung told US Weekly on Tuesday while promoting “Connie: A Memoir.” “I believe that you don’t have to be friends with all of his friends, and he doesn’t have to be friends with all of my friends. He can do what he wants to do, and I’ll do what I want to do.”

She added: “We always get together and eat together – sometimes we have lunch together too – but we don’t get in each other’s way.”

In Chung’s memoir, the former news anchor details her love story with the 85-year-old Povich, even devoting an entire chapter to their romance.

“I love Maury with all my heart, and I know he loves me very much, but sometimes, you know, I don’t necessarily like him,” she wrote. “I think the feeling is mutual.”

Chung explained this phrase to US Weekly, confessing that she could “never spend all day” with the TV host.

She joked, “That’s why I think — I know I love him, but if we spend too much time together, then I don’t like him anymore.”

Chung and Povich had a long-distance relationship for seven years before marrying in 1984. The couple then adopted their son, Matthew Povich, after his birth in 1995.

“I knew he was going to be The One, but I didn’t go there and he didn’t go there. We were both single and enjoying our freedom,” she told the outlet. “When I was ready to commit, he wasn’t ready. When he was ready to commit, I wasn’t ready. It was back and forth and we built this relationship slowly for a long time.”

At one point, Chung and Povich were living on opposite sides of the country, she in Los Angeles and he in Philadelphia. It took a while for the two to get back together.

“He was such a bad kid that I said, ‘Hey, let’s take a six-month timeout.’ And I think that was a good thing,” Chung said.

Six months later, Chung wrote that she and the former student of “Maury” met again at a wedding in Texas, but that they didn’t really begin their future until she moved back to New York City in 1984.

“If it weren’t for Maury, I wouldn’t have had the career I’ve had,” Chung admits in her book. “He’s been my foundation, my pillar of strength, my love, my partner in every way, for decades. He’s helped me navigate my treacherous path to the top. I always thought I could make it without him. The man inside me told me I didn’t need to depend on anyone. I was just a white guy, just like him. Now I know I couldn’t live without Maury.”

In 2020, the couple reflected on their love story during a chat with People, with Povich sharing their tips for a successful marriage.

“Whatever arguments or fights that happen during the day, once the head hits the pillow, it’s over and it’s not going to be continued the next morning. It’s not on my mind,” he said. “But we’ve always respected each other’s careers and we’ve always respected each other’s space and values. There’s no need for a rematch. Maybe that’s why we’re still married.”

“Connie: A Memoir” is out now.