Ewan McGregor is the latest star poised to take on the iconic role of Christopher Robin in the upcoming film of the same name, released August 3. The actor plays an adult version of Winnie the Pooh’s best pal, who turns to his childhood stuffed animal friends for help getting his life back on track.
Though McGregor, 47, doesn’t hail from the Hundred Acre Wood, he does have some experience in juggling the ups and downs of relationships in the real world, including balancing the pressures of fame and family.
Ewan McGregor's Wife
The Hollywood heartthrob reportedly met his wife Eve Mavrakis, 52, on the set of crime drama, Kavanagh QC. McGregor is listed as playing David Robert Armstrong, while Mavrakis is noted as a member of the production design team. They wed in 1995, reportedly just six months after the episode where they crossed paths aired.
“From the moment Eve and I met it was right,” the actor told Men’s Health in 2009, “and I hesitate to explain the reasons behind that.”
He added, “If you spend too much time ‘working’ on your relationship, I don’t think it’s a relationship worth being in. With Eve, I’ve never had to work. We just have it.”
Both of the couple’s careers grew substantially since their TV days, with McGregor starring in films like Moulin Rouge, Star Wars, and Big Fish. French-born Mavrakis also found success for her work on Dangerous Liaisons and Imagine Me & You.
Ewan McGregor's Kids
Shortly after they tied the knot, McGregor and Mavrakis welcomed their first child, Clara, 22, and Esther, 16, arrived a few years after. In 2006, the pair adopted a 4-year-old girl, Jamyan (now 17) from Mongolia, and their youngest daughter, 7-year-old Anouk, arrived in 2011.
Despite their fame, McGregor and his wife raised their family in a traditional style. He explained to Men’s Health that he refused to take the kids to premieres, or spoil them with the fruits of their wealth. “I don’t even buy them iPods. You have to set limits with children,” he said.
In fact, his parenting outlook is one that his latest on-screen role could likely benefit from. “If you’ve made a decision to play with your children, then play with them. Don’t be looking through paper or your desk or sneaking off to the computer,” he said. “Lose yourself in their world. Even if you do it for a short time, it will mean a lot to you and to them.”
Ewan McGregor's Divorce
Rumors of a split began circling in October 2017 when McGregor was spotted kissing Fargo co-star Mary Elizabeth Winstead, 33. People confirmed that same month that he and his wife had decided to call it quits in May of that year, and they officially filed for divorce in January 2018.
They allegedly claimed irreconcilable differences, with Mavrakis requesting sole custody and McGregor asking for joint custody of their four children.
Ewan McGregor and Mary Elizabeth Winstead
McGregor and Winstead took their relationship public in November 2017, where they were spotted walking hand-in-hand in Los Angeles. Though some tabloids reported the couple broke up and McGregor went back to his wife, People confirmed in February 2018 that the Fargo co-stars are still very much together.
Winstead was also previously married to Riley Stearns, who she separated from in May 2017.
Ewan McGregor Moving on from Marriage
The situation escalated to even more awkward heights when McGregor thanked both Mavrakis and Winstead in his acceptance speech at the 2018 Golden Globe Awards in January.
“I want to take a moment to just say thank you to Eve, who always stood by me for 22 years and our four children Clara, Esther, Jamyan, and Anouk,” Ewan said, as reported by Cosmo.
He then went on to mention Winstead, who played his character’s girlfriend.
“I've always loved being an actor and I got amazing actors to hang out with, and there wouldn’t have been any Emmett without David Thewlis and Michael Stuhlbard and Carrie Coon. And there wouldn’t have been any Ray without Mary Elizabeth Winstead,” he said.
Although Mavrakis reportedly “did not like his speech,” the two appear to be at least trying to patch things up: In May 2018, both were all smiles as they attended daughter Clara’s graduation from New York University.
Megan Stein is the executive editor for The Pioneer Woman, and oversees entertainment, features, and news for the website. Whether it's catching up on the latest true crime podcast, or re-watching the best '80s movies for the zillionth time, she's always here to talk about anything and everything relating to pop culture.
