Why Kurt Russell Stepped up for Oliver and Kate Hudson When Goldie Hawn's Ex Left
When Kurt Russell fell for Goldie Hawn, he was ready to step up and be a dad to her kids Oliver and Kate Hudson when their dad wasn't around.
Goldie Hawn, Academy Award winner, and Kurt Russell, action movie icon, aren’t your average couple -- and that's not just down to their glamorous profession.
In fact, through their four decade-long romance, they haven’t done much by the book. They’ve never gotten married; they’ve raised a beautiful blended family; and they’ve mastered the perfect work-life balance.
By choosing to follow their hearts, stay true to themselves, and unapologetically do what’s right for them,Hawn and Russell have built a nearly perfect relationship and there are plenty of lessons to be learned from their long and unusual journey.
Here's what we can learn from Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn:
They didn’t rush things
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell first met on the set of 1968’s The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band and although there was an instant attraction, the timing simply wasn’t right. As Hawn told BBC Radio 4 in 2012, "I was 21 and he was 16. I thought he was adorable, but he was much too young.” The two budding actors went their separate ways.
When their paths crossed for a second time years later on the set of 1984’s Swing Shift, age was no longer an issue, but there was a big problem: “We both said we would never go out with another actor,” Hawn told the BBC.
Some rules are meant to be broken, however, and once again, she went with her instincts.
“He was so good-looking, but he had no pretense about him,” Hawn told People in 2017. “I could tell right away he wasn’t a womanizer.”
Goldie gave him a chance and agreed to a night out after work under the pretence of practicing a dance scene. The rest was history.
Kurt Russell stepped up to the plate
When Hawn and Russell began dating, he already had a son — Boston Russell — with his ex-wife, Susan Hubley, while she had two children — Oliver and Kate Hudson — from her marriage to Bill Hudson.
Trying to blend two families, especially with young children, could have easily posed a challenge, but instead, Russell stepped up to the plate, big-time.
As Kate and Oliver’s estranged father left the picture, Russell embraced his new role as a dad to two more kids. It was this very openness that made Hawn certain she had picked the right partner.
Speaking with People in 2017, Hawn revealed, “What really got me was when I watched my kids when they’d come to the set and how he was with them. He was amazing with them. He was such a natural.”
Over the years, both Oliver and Kate have spoken about their struggles with their biological father with Kate once saying, “I think we both probably suffered differently and very similarly to anybody who feels abandoned by a parent.”
In 2015, Oliver even went as far as to wish Bill “Happy Abandonment Day” on Father’s Day, prompting the latter to publicly disown him and his sister. “I would ask them to stop using the Hudson name,” Bill told the Daily Mail. “They are no longer a part of my life.”
Despite the pain and drama that stemmed from their strained relationship with Bill, the Hudson siblings were lucky enough to get everything they needed from Russell.
As Kate told The Howard Stern Show in 2016, “The trust I got from [Russell] in terms of his dependability was priceless for me. He is so honest, so brutally honest. I love him so much; he is just a great guy.”
They struck the perfect balance
In 1986, Hawn and Russell grew their family further with the arrival of baby Wyatt Russell, and not once did they miss a beat. But they didn’t just master the art of raising a blended family -- they also learned how to perfectly complement one another.
As Hawn explained in 2007, it’s all about being the perfect team without losing your individuality. "I think the secret is to know when to depend on somebody and when not to," she said. "It's important that you are able to hold up your side of the house. I believe that one person can't bear the whole burden because then their shoulders start getting heavy.”
In 2015, she elaborated, “It’s also about not losing yourself in each other.”
Figuring out how to balance their love with their impressive careers was also key. Speaking with The Daily Mail, Russell revealed, “I very rarely worked when I knew Goldie was going to be working. And vice-versa. Which meant we could be together.” Sharing a real-world example, he added, “There was a movie I was going to be paid a lot of money for [...] but it came when I’d just done two pictures in a row and Goldie was about to go to work, so I had to turn it down.”
They play by their own rules
If there has been one constant in Hawn and Russell’s 40-plus-year relationship, it’s been their commitment to playing by their own rules. They still haven’t walked down the aisle — "I already feel devoted and isn't that what marriage is supposed to do?" Hawn noted in 2007 — but they don’t need to.
They’re as smitten as ever, remain devoted to their growing family (which now includes six grandkids), and continue to work and make movies. Because when you strike the right balance and remain true to yourself (and your partner) you can truly do it all.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.