Sheryl Lee Ralph Drops Bombshell Truth About Why She and Her Husband Have Never Lived Together
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Sheryl Lee Ralph and her husband, Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes, have embraced a unique approach to marriage that has kept their bond strong for nearly two decades. Despite living thousands of miles apart, the Abbott Elementary star, 69, and Hughes have built a lasting relationship based on mutual respect, independence, and communication.
In this week’s issue of PEOPLE, Ralph opened up about their unconventional love story. After her 2001 divorce from Eric Maurice, with whom she shares two adult children, Etienne and Coco, Ralph met Hughes in 2005 while starring in Thoroughly Modern Millie on Broadway. The couple fell in love, fully aware they would not be living in the same city.
“I’m very fortunate. The man that I am married to is Senator Vincent Hughes, seventh Senatorial District of Pennsylvania,” Ralph said, proudly discussing their decision to maintain separate residences. “You fall in love with somebody, and you realize he’s not leaving his career. He’s not leaving Philadelphia. I’m not leaving Hollywood. When you have children, it’s very difficult.”
Their solution has been to meet every two weeks—a system that has worked remarkably well. “When I go to see him, I love to see him. When it’s time to leave, ‘Bye-bye. See you soon.’ I’m telling you, life is good,” Ralph shared.
Ralph emphasized the importance of maintaining individuality in their relationship. “He has his own life. I have my own life. He has his own real career; I have my own real career. He has his light to stand in, I have my light to stand in. He is not looking at me thinking about status or this or that. He’s doing his thing. I get to do my thing.”
One of the keys to their enduring relationship, Ralph explained, is open communication—a lesson she says she learned from her previous marriage. “I’ve evolved into [saying], ‘Let’s talk about it.’ If you sit in problems, you get anxious and depressed, and all the juiciness in life starts to dry up. I can’t have that, because all of that will mess with my good looks!” she joked.
For Ralph and Hughes, their long-distance marriage exemplifies how love, independence, and honest communication can sustain a relationship, no matter the distance.
