Adam Brody reveals what his 12-year marriage to Leighton Meester has taught him

Adam Brody has opened up about the lessons he has learnt from his 12-year marriage to Leighton Meester, explaining why humility, compromise and a willingness to adjust are essential to making a relationship last.

The Nobody Wants This star, 46, shared his reflections in an interview with Elle, published on October 8, 2026. Brody, who married Gossip Girl actress Meester, 40, in 2014, discussed how marriage has changed his perspective on relationships and the importance of recognising that neither partner is always right.

Asked about the wisdom he had gained over 12 years of marriage, Brody explained that people can experience different levels of maturity depending on the circumstances.

"That there's a duality in all of us," he told the magazine. "Oftentimes, I feel mature and responsible, and other times, I feel like a little boy still, and I can't believe I'm the age I am."

The actor went on to explain that maintaining a long-term relationship requires people to put aside their pride and consider their partner's needs alongside their own.

"But I think what I've learned is, if you want it to last and you're taking it seriously, there's a certain level of humbling yourself that is required," Brody said.

He added that couples must be prepared to make adjustments without losing their individual identities. "You have to be willing to adjust. Not change the core of who you are, but really factor someone else's wants and desires and needs into the equation."

Brody also acknowledged that accepting the possibility of being wrong is an important part of sharing a life with another person. "You're not always going to be right, and you have to accept that. It's a lot easier to always be right when you're single," he said.

His comments come as the couple continue to keep much of their relationship private, despite both being established Hollywood actors. Brody and Meester first met through mutual industry connections before reconnecting while working on the 2011 film The Oranges. Their relationship became public in 2013, and they married in a private ceremony in Northern California in early 2014.

The couple share two children: daughter Arlo, born in 2015, and a son, born in 2020, whose name they have not publicly disclosed.

Meester has also spoken about what has helped their marriage endure. In an interview with People in January 2026, she said that genuinely liking one another and enjoying each other's company were central to their relationship.

"I think just liking each other, and getting along is a big part of it," she said, adding that a relationship comes down, at its most basic level, to being able to say, "I really like this person."

The actress also emphasised the importance of accepting imperfections and remaining willing to work on oneself. She explained that being with another person means recognising that both partners will have flaws and challenge each other at times.

Brody previously offered his own advice on lasting relationships during an appearance on Today with Hoda and Jenna in September 2024. He said choosing a good partner and listening to them were important elements of a successful marriage, while acknowledging that relationships still require sacrifice and personal growth.

Beyond discussing his marriage, Brody is preparing to return as Noah in the third season of Netflix's romantic comedy series Nobody Wants This, which is scheduled to premiere on 22 October 2026. The series follows Noah, a rabbi, and Joanne, played by Kristen Bell, as they navigate their relationship and the challenges that come with their different backgrounds.

Brody's latest reflections offer a glimpse into the perspective he has gained through more than a decade of marriage, highlighting the importance of humility, flexibility and mutual understanding in a lasting partnership.