The Malcolm in the Middle star, now 70, is approaching her first wedding anniversary with her new husband, Rusty Long, after the two rekindled their relationship at their 50-year high school reunion in 2024. Before this, Kaczmarek was married to fellow actor Bradley Whitford from 1992 to 2010, and the former couple share three children together.
While promoting the reboot Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair on Good Morning America, Kaczmarek shared how the reunion unexpectedly changed her life. She explained that a mutual friend—who had married her husband’s best friend—encouraged her to reconnect with Rusty, leading to a whirlwind romance that quickly turned into marriage.
Describing their story as something out of a fairy tale, she revealed that they now split their time between California and her hometown of Mequon, Wisconsin. Rusty, a corporate bankruptcy attorney, also has a family of his own, including children and grandchildren.
Kaczmarek has said that their connection reignited instantly, recalling how they spent time together shortly after reuniting, falling back into familiar feelings from their youth. She also shared details of his heartfelt proposal at a Robert Burns-themed event, where he publicly declared his lifelong love for her before asking her to marry him.
Reflecting on the experience, the actress noted how their relationship has brought back the joy and excitement of being young again, adding that the journey has been deeply fulfilling and that life, at this stage, feels better than ever.
Now, as she balances a revived acting career with a renewed personal life, Kaczmarek’s story feels like a rare reminder that timing can change everything. Decades after going their separate ways, she and Rusty have found their way back to each other—proving that some connections never truly fade, and that love, even after years apart, can return stronger, sweeter, and exactly when it’s meant to.
