He Said, She Said: What Leighton Meester and Adam Brody Credit for Their Lasting Marriage

In an industry known for short-lived romances, Adam Brody and Leighton Meester have quietly built a marriage that has lasted more than a decade. When asked what makes it work, both point not to grand gestures, but to steady, everyday choices.

On separate occasions, Adam Brody and Leighton Meester were asked about the secret to their lasting marriage.

While each offered a slightly different perspective, their answers ultimately complemented one another. Their advice was simple — and grounded in everyday partnership.

She Said: “I Really Like This Person”

In an exclusive interview with People in January 2026, Meester, 39, said the foundation of her 12-year marriage comes down to enjoying each other’s company (People).

"It's so funny, because the other night somebody asked me that, and I was like, 'I wish I had the answer,' [but] I think just liking each other, and getting along is a big part of it," she said.

She added, "It is sort of at a base level what it's about. Just being like, 'I really like this person.'"

For Meester, it's also about being realistic. She acknowledged that no one is perfect and that growth matters.

"I think being with another person and knowing that they're going to be imperfect and challenge you, and that you are far from perfect, is [important]," she said, adding that it is also key "to always be open and willing to work on yourself."

Her perspective centers on friendship and self-awareness — liking your partner, accepting flaws, and continuing to grow.

He Said: “Pick Someone Good”

Brody, 44, shared his take while appearing on "Today" in September 2024.

“Oh, pick someone good. Be lucky and be in love with someone who’s great and then just kind of listen to them,” he said when asked about the “magic” of their relationship.

He continued, “If you’re with someone great, you’re on third base. Not that it doesn’t take sacrifice and humility and you have to grow together and you have to be willing to grow, because you’re not going to be able to stay 100 percent right where you are. But if you’re with someone wonderful, I think you’re on third base.”

His answer echoed Meester’s in a different way. While she focused on genuinely liking each other, Brody emphasized choosing well and putting in the work.

A Partnership On and Off Screen

Leighton Meester and Adam Brody met on the set of "The Oranges" and went public with their romance in February 2013. They were engaged later that year and married in February 2014.

They share two children — a daughter, Arlo, born in 2015, and a son born in 2020, whose name has not been publicly revealed (People).

Over the years, they have also worked together on projects including "River Wild," "Life Partners," "Nobody Wants This," and "Good Cop/Bad Cop."

Brody has described their professional dynamic as closely connected. “Everything is run through each other,” he said on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast.

He has also spoken about his admiration for Meester’s talent. “I think she surprises me with how funny she is, and then, at the same time, can go as deep as anyone,” he said.

Their answers do not point to a complicated formula, but they speak to the basics: choose someone you respect, like each other, accept imperfections, and keep growing. After more than a decade of marriage, their shared message is clear — lasting relationships may be less about grand gestures and more about everyday commitment.