Ben Stiller's wife Christine shares what led to their reconciliation after separating in 2017

Christine Taylor, the wife of Ben Stiller, has shared how the couple reunited after separating in 2017 – having strangely been brought back together during the pandemic.

Taylor, 51, married Stiller in 2000 after they met filming Heat Vision and Jack the year before, and now share two children together.

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However, in May 2017, they announced their separation after 18 years together, saying in a joint statement: "With tremendous love and respect for each other, and the 18 years we spent together as a couple, we have made the decision to separate.

“Our priority will continue to be raising our children as devoted parents and the closest of friends. We kindly ask that the media respect our privacy at this time."

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But several years and a global pandemic later, and the pair are back as an item.

Speaking about their reconciliation on The Drew Barrymore Show earlier this week, Taylor threw it right back to the beginning of their courtship.

"We knew each other six months, got engaged, married within the year and had Ella that next year,” she recalled.

Taylor, who also went on to have now-17-year-old Quinlin, says they always put family first, but admitted: "I think Ben and I both started to grow in different directions.

"And when we made the decision to separate, it was not something we wanted to talk publicly about or took lightly."

The actor said that during their separation, she and Stiller were at an ‘impasse’ of figuring stuff out and finding out ‘what’s best at this chapter’ in their lives.

“That's going back three or four years,” she said.

“And [during] that time apart, we got to know who we are."

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Taylor added: "I think we have these growth spurts, even as adults. And we needed time to figure that out.”

Stiller also spoke about reuniting with his wife in a previous interview with Esquire, explaining how he moved back in with her and their kids during the pandemic.

Noting their relationship has ‘evolved’ over time, he said: "We were separated and got back together and we're happy about that. It's been really wonderful for all of us. Unexpected, and one of the things that came out of the pandemic."

Stiller continued: "I think we have respect for the ways that we're similar and the ways we're different.

“And I think accepting that, you can really appreciate someone more because you're not trying to get them to change for you.”

He added: "Once you accept that, you save a lot of energy. This is something that works for me; this is something that doesn't work for me.

“If you have that trust level with your partner, you know that me saying 'I don't like doing that thing' is not me saying 'I don't like you.' "

Oh man, we love a happy ending!