Michael J. Fox Would Have 'Forgiven' Tracy Pollan for Opting to 'Step Out' of Marriage After Parkinson's Diagnosis
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"She had indicated to me by saying, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. She was able to get me through it, and go through it with me," Michael J. Fox said of his wife Tracey Pollan
Michael J. Fox is opening up about how he and wife Tracy Pollan have navigated his Parkinson's disease together.
On Thursday’s edition of CBS Mornings, the 62-year-old actor — who was diagnosed with the progressive brain disorder in 1991 at the age of 29 — discussed how his wife of 35 years has supported through his health struggles.
"It's been great for me, I don't know how it is for her," he said with a laugh. "I love Tracy obviously and she's an amazing person and has gone through a lot. I realize she has a life separate from me having Parkinson's, from me being Alex Keaton or Marty McFly, she's a person. I think that's why it's gone okay."
Related: Michael J. Fox Honors Wife Tracy Pollan on Their 35th Anniversary: ‘Forever Yours’
The Back to the Future star shared that Pollan, 63, had upheld her marriage vows, but he would have understood if she decided to end the relationship.
"She had indicated to me by saying, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health," he explained. "She was able to get me through it, and go through it with me. And she has for 35 years."
"We knew the bus was coming and we knew it was going to hit, but we didn't know how far away it was or how fast it was going,” he added. "At any time she would have been forgiven to say, 'I'm just gonna step out.' But, she didn't do that.”
In March, the couple opened up to PEOPLE about how they continue to support one another and nurture their relationship.
"I think we really listen to each other, we are there for each other when we need each other," said Pollan. "And then we also give each other space when that's needed. Just feeling off of what's needed at the moment and trying to be there."
The couple tied the knot in 1988 and share son Sam Michael, 34, twin daughters Aquinnah Kathleen and Schuyler Frances, 28, and 21-year-old daughter Esmé Annabelle.
"Tracy gives our family everything that we need. Any good in our family, anything good that we do, comes from her," Fox said.
Related: Michael J. Fox's 4 Kids: Everything to Know
While accepting the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in November 2022, Fox reflected on his harrowing journey with Parkinson's disease.
"I was told I only had ten years left to work. That was s—ty. That's what happened," Fox shared, in part, while accepting his award. "The hardest part of my diagnosis was grappling with the certainty of the diagnosis and the uncertainty of the situation."
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"I only knew it would get worse. The diagnosis was definite, but the progress was indefinite and uncertain. [My wife Tracy] made it clear that she was with me for the duration," he continued. "Then I entered into seven years of denial, trying to make sense of it all. The kid who left Canada convinced that he would make anything happen, at least by working hard and by believing, now had a tall order in front of him."
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