Jada Pinkett Smith Shares Secret to Long-Lasting Marriage

Actress took to Facebook on Sunday to post a little relationship wisdom for her followers

By Alyssa Toomey Jul 07, 2014 9:05 PMTags
Jada Pinkett Smith, Will SmithDaGreenTeam/Splash News

Jada Pinkett Smith knows a thing or two about wedded bliss.

The 42-year-old actress, who has been married to husband Will Smith since 1997, took to Facebook on Sunday to share a bit of relationship advice and reveal a secret for sustaining a successful marriage. And she should know a bit about that since she's been with her hubby for 17 years.

And it's a tip from which we can all benefit.

"A message to a friend: A wise man shared with me yesterday one word responsible for his 24 years of marriage. You know what that word was...forgiveness. Happy Sunday:) J," Pinkett-Smith posted on social media, opting to share her sentiments sans a photo.

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

The Matrix Reloaded star and her 45-year-old hubby are certainly a testament to the man's sage advice, as Jada and Will have not only built a solid marriage but they've done so under the watchful media eye. 

While the singer typically remains tight-lipped when it comes to the topic her love life, Pinkett Smith recently felt compelled to set the record straight regarding the claims that she and Will have an open marriage after her words were misconstrued following an interview with HuffPost Live.

"I've always told Will, 'You can do whatever you want as long as you can look at yourself in the mirror and be OK,'" the celeb said. "Because at the end of the day, Will is his own man. I'm here as his partner, but he is his own man. He has to decide who he wants to be and that's not for me to do for him. Or vice versa."

AKM-GSI

After fans misinterpreted her response, Pinkett Smith took to Facebook to clarify her remarks, insisting she's in a committed relationship with the I Am Legend star.

"Should we be married to individuals who can not be responsible for themselves and their families within their freedom?" she wrote in a lengthy post. "Should we be in relationships with individuals who we can not entrust to their own values, integrity, and LOVE...for us??? Here is how I will change my statement...Will and I BOTH can do WHATEVER we want, because we TRUST each other to do so. This does NOT mean we have an open relationship...this means we have a GROWN one."

In the same interview with HuffPost Live, the proud wife also gushed over her hunky hubby. "He's [Will] my best friend. He's been by my side through some of the most difficult parts of my life. And so that's something you can never take away."