Patrick Dempsey has finally – after coming second in 2005 to Matthew McConaughey and in 2006 to George Clooney – been crowned People’s Sexiest Man Alive.
The actor, who is best known for his Grey’s Anatomy role Dr Derek ‘McDreamy’ Shepherd, said of his win to People, “I was completely shocked, and then I started laughing, like, ‘This is a joke, right?’ I’ve always been the bridesmaid!”
But then after voicing his excitement, Patrick began to share some incredibly sweet details about his relationship with wife Jillian Dempsey née Fink.
Patrick first met Jillian in 1994. He was a client at her hair salon and instantly knew she was the one.
“The moment I saw her. I went in where she was working, and I looked across the room at her and was blown away,” Patrick gushed.
However, despite being immediately ‘blown away’, Patrick didn’t begin dating Jillian until 1997.
The couple wed two short years later, in 1999, at the Dempseys’ family property in Maine.
In 2002, they welcomed their first child Talula into the world and then in 2007, Patrick and Jilian welcomed twins Darby and Sullivan.
Both Patrick and Jillian have been extremely open about aspects of their relationship over the years; including their almost-split.
In 2015, Jillian filed for divorce but after couples counselling, the pair reconciled and called off their divorce in 2016.
“Jill and I decided it was time to work on our issues and improve. We wanted to be role models for our kids like, okay, if you have differences, you can work them out,” the Enchanted star told People at the time.
“You can only do one thing at a time and do it well… I [learned] to prioritise. Our union has to be the priority. I wasn’t prepared to give up on her and she wasn’t either. We both wanted to fight for it.”
And fight for it they did; in 2023, the couple are stronger than ever. Jillian took to Instagram to celebrate her hubby’s Sexiest Man Alive win and wrote, “What a title! Very cool @patrickdempsey & well deserved, sexy!”
Read on to see Patrick Dempsey’s sweetest moments with his spouse Jillian!
01
Patrick took to Instagram on September 8, 2023, to share a sweet picture of him and Jillian celebrating Brunello Cucinelli’s 70th anniversary.
02
For their wedding anniversary, Patrick captioned this snap, “24 years !! What an amazing path we have been on! Love you! Happy anniversary.”
03
Jill posted this candid pic taken during a date night in New York; the couple were celebrating the launch of Patrick’s Porsche Design eyewear range.
04
For Valentine’s Day in 2023, Jillian dedicated this throwback picture to Patrick on Instagram. “To my forever Valentine @patrickdempsey,” she wrote.
05
The couple looked extremely loved up in this candid Jillian shared in January 2023 .
06
In 2022, Jillian shared this cute picture of her and Patrick celebrating Christmas.
07
Another throwback picture! For their wedding anniversary in 2022, Patrick wrote, “Happy anniversary to my love of 23 years, a pic of our first trip to Maine together! I love you.”
08
Patrick and Jillian shared a PDA moment while travelling in February 2022.
09
Patrick shared this adorable throwback picture of himself and Jillian in February 2021; judging by Jill’s haircut this photo is likely from the early 2000s.
10
In 2018, the couple attended the 1st Cannes International Series Festival together.
11
Patrick and Jillian held hands as they walked the red (or rather pink) carpet at the world premiere of Bridget Jones’ Baby in 2016.
12
The couple stayed close to one another when they attended the 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 2005.
13
Patrick and Jillian tied the knot on August 1, 1999. In 2021, the Made of Honour actor shared these snaps from the big day on Instagram.
