Helen Mirren's Husband Taylor Hackford Recalls 'Instant Passion' Meeting Her: 'Very Sexy Girl' (Exclusive)

Mirren and Hackford's relationship spans 30 years, and the pair met in the '80s before tying the knot in 1997

Taylor Hackford is getting candid about keeping his relationship with Helen Mirren strong.

The director and producer told PEOPLE at the 37th Annual American Cinematheque Awards on Thursday night in Los Angeles, which honored Mirren, that he knew from the start the actress was the one he wanted to be with.

“When we first met, there was instant passion,” recalled Hackford, 79. “And she’s a very sexy girl and she still is. But the reality is, over a period of time, you start to — you mature.“

He shared that one of the things that keeps his relationship with Mirren, 78, alive is doing things that they love together. This includes renovating houses, even though they sometimes butt heads on design and other elements.

“We have had these great adventures, and I know it sounds strange, with houses,” Hackford said. “We do not hire an architect. We do not hire an interior designer. We, ourselves, design and choose.”

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Related: See All the Stars at the American Cinematheque Awards in L.A. — Including Helen Mirren, Harrison Ford and Pierce Brosnan

“And there are some fights on occasion, because it’s ours,” he continued. “But on the other hand, we always reach consensus. We always end up [agreeing]. And I think that has to do with the relationship. There’s mutual respect and love.”

Hackford said their relationship — which has lasted over 30 years — hasn’t changed that much over the decades and described it as an “interesting” one, since they’re both often working and “not always together.”

“When she’s working and I’m not, I try to visit, but I don’t stay very long … and likewise, when she comes with me,” he said. “And that generosity and lack of, what shall I say, jealousy about, ‘Oh, you’re working, I’m not, not at all.’ We have that. We always have had it.”

“We will continue to have it, but mostly we would like more time together,” the filmmaker added.

Related: Photos from Helen Mirren's 24-Year Marriage to Taylor Hackford

Despite having to be away from each other for work, Hackford noted that he still “always” finds “surprises” in his relationship with Mirren, whom he married in 1997 in Scotland. 

“She’s just a fantastic person to live with, to have a family with,” the doting husband shared. “We don’t have children [together], but I had children and she has nieces and nephews and we are all a very close-knit group and that’s lovely.”

“And she’s one of the most relaxed and completely real people outside of when she’s working,” he added. “And that’s a delight.”

Mirren, who has had a career spanning over six decades, received the 2023 American Cinematheque Award for her contributions to the entertainment industry on Thursday night, where she was feted by her 1923 costar Harrison Ford.

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