Robin Wright Finds Love and a New Home in England
Robin Wright, the 59-year-old acclaimed actress, has embarked on a new chapter in her life, settling into a rental property on the English seaside with her boyfriend, Henry Smith. In a candid interview with The Times of London, Wright expressed relief at finally finding a place to call home, though she admitted it only fulfilled “60 percent” of what she wanted. This new beginning represents more than just a change of address for the actress; it signals a profound shift in her personal life as she approaches her 60th birthday. Wright and Smith have made this transition complete by bringing their beloved dogs, Rusty and Rocky, along with them, creating a warm family unit in their coastal retreat.
Despite embracing her new English lifestyle, Wright confessed to struggling with certain aspects of British culture, particularly the country’s rigid class structure. “It’s very evident when you’re in a room and you feel the judgment or the praise of someone who’s more elevated,” she observed with characteristic frankness. The American actress expressed bewilderment at the British preoccupation with educational pedigrees, questioning, “Why are you guys so obsessed with who went to this boarding school or this university? Who gives a s***?” Her puzzlement highlights the cultural differences she’s navigating while settling into her new home. Nevertheless, Wright appears to be finding genuine contentment in England, reflecting that “I’m seen and loved for who I am. It’s so relaxing.”
The couple’s love story began in the most quintessentially British of settings—a pub—where Wright asked to feed a piece of her steak to what she thought was a stranger’s dog. That dog, Rusty, actually belonged to Smith, a 52-year-old British-Australian architect who approached Wright with a direct “Who the f*** are you?” to which she responded in kind. This unfiltered exchange marked the beginning of their relationship, which has now blossomed into a serious partnership. What makes their connection particularly refreshing is that Smith was completely unaware of Wright’s Hollywood fame when they met, attracted instead to what Wright describes as her “Nordic goddess beauty.” She speaks of Smith with genuine affection, calling him “a sweetheart and just a good, decent adult. He’s a man.”
Their relationship deepened under unusual circumstances as both were suffering from long COVID, the persistent symptoms that can follow a coronavirus infection. Rather than allowing illness to separate them, it became the catalyst for an accelerated emotional intimacy. “We were lying in bed, deathly ill, crying, laughing, hugging, loving, snogging, f***ing,” Wright revealed with characteristic candor. “Just like, ‘I want to know you.'” This intense period of vulnerability seems to have cemented their bond in a way that might have taken much longer under normal circumstances. For Wright, this relationship has arrived at a pivotal moment in her life journey. As she approaches her 60th birthday, she has found herself reconsidering her priorities and desires: “I love being alone and I’ve done that many times. But I’m like, I want to grow old with somebody, and travel and see the world.”
Despite the depth of her commitment to Smith, Wright maintains a clear-eyed perspective on marriage, firmly declaring that she has no intention of walking down the aisle again. When asked about the possibility of remarriage, her response was unequivocal: “No. God no. Why? That’s just unnecessary.” This stance reflects the wisdom gained from her previous relationships, including her marriages to actor Dane Witherspoon (1986-1988), Sean Penn (1996-2010), with whom she shares two children, and Clément Giraudet (2018-2022). She was also twice engaged to actor Ben Foster before they permanently parted ways in 2015. Wright’s rejection of marriage doesn’t indicate a lack of commitment to Smith but rather suggests a mature understanding that deep connection and companionship don’t necessarily require legal formalization.
Wright’s move to England with Smith represents a courageous embrace of change at a time when many might be settling into comfortable routines. Her willingness to start fresh in a new country, navigate cultural differences, and open herself to love after multiple heartbreaks speaks to her resilience and optimism. The actress appears to have found a balance between independence and partnership that works for her, creating a life that honors both her need for autonomy and her desire for meaningful connection. As she settles into her coastal English home with Smith and their dogs, Wright seems to be writing a new script for herself—one defined not by Hollywood roles or public perceptions, but by authentic relationships and personal fulfillment. Her story reminds us that it’s never too late to redefine what home means, to find love in unexpected places, and to create the life you truly want, conventional expectations be damned.
