Celebrity Interfaith Marriages

The song says love will conquer all. But anyone who has lived in an interfaith marriage knows that it can be a challenge that persists on a day to day basis. Even conventional marriages begin with the couple entering into the commitment with all good intentions of making it succeed. Where two different religions are concerned however, there can be difficulties that may seem insurmountable, even for celebrity couples.

Liz Hurley and Arun Nayar

One of the first hurdles a couple headed for interfaith marriage will need to overcome is where and how to exchange vows. As the recent nuptials of British supermodel Elizabeth Hurley to Indian businessman Arun Nayar showed, even the best of intentions can still see a couple fall foul of their families.

The initial ceremony was a traditional English one held in Gloucestershire’s Sudeley Castle. Shortly afterwards, a lavish extravaganza took place in India, complete with full Hindu rituals. Still it was not enough for the Nayar family who felt cast aside by the need for the glitterati to be present at the celebrations. It seems likely that their interfaith marriage may never totally receive the blessing of the groom’s side.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes

Devoutly Catholic, Katie Holmes’ family was reportedly up in arms about her decision to follow her intended husband’s Scientology path. Interfaith marriage may be one thing but when one of the religions is highly controversial and almost universally misunderstood, it can hardly be surprising that anxiety levels ran high. Time has passed and, unless you believe everything you read in the tabloid press, it seems harmony continues to prevail in the Cruise-Holmes household.

Larry and Shawn King

The big little man of news, Larry King has described himself as an agnostic Jew. Married seven times to six different women, one would think that observing any faith might be beyond his vast intellect. His current – interfaith – marriage is to devout Methodist Shawn and he even occasionally attends church with her.

Anne Bancroft and Mel Brooks

The sad ending to one of showbiz’s happiest and most enduring marriages – let alone interfaith marriages – came after 41 years when Bancroft died of uterine cancer. Never a pair to let other people’s trivialities come between them, Bancroft and Brooks lived by the adage: “the show must go on”.

Mixed bag

Successful interfaith marriages can even occur between couples where one person doesn’t observe any religion at all. Brad Pitt was raised a Southern Baptist, however Angelina Jolie believes that “there’s something spiritual in people”. Although they are not officially married, observers often wonder if the discrepancy in religious values might be their relationship’s undoing.

Australian actress Isla Fisher never practiced any particular religion but upon becoming engaged to British funny man Sasha Baron Cohen, famously known as Borat, she adopted his Jewish faith. And “almost an atheist” singer David Bowie continues to enjoy a long-lasting interfaith marriage with former supermodel Iman, raised a Muslim.

Entering into an interfaith marriage may be fraught with difficulty, or it could be the transformation of a couple from two people who follow separate religions into a united family who adopts one as their main faith.

The best way to ensure a successful relationship is to discuss the different religious choices and make a decision before the wedding, as to whether one person will need to convert or if upholding the beliefs of both will create conflict. Marriage is about welcoming and nurturing each other’s souls and beliefs and it can be done successfully.