'Elf' star Will Ferrell's wife, Viveca Paulin, is an art auctioneer, former actress, and the comedian's longtime muse. Here's a deep dive into their enduring bond that spans decades.
Will Ferrell has rightfully earned the reputation as one of Hollywood’s funniest men, but when it comes to his personal life, the Elf star is surprisingly grounded and a devoted husband. The 58-year-old actor has been married to his Swedish-born wife, Viveca Paulin, for 25 years, and they are one of the strongest couples in the industry.
Ferrell and Paulin’s bond is built on mutual respect and, of course, lots of laughter. Their story began long before the Anchorman star became a household name. From their first meeting in the early '90s, their friendship blossomed into a lifelong partnership that continues to inspire. With Ferrell’s breakout fame as a global star, his wife has remained his biggest supporter.
From red carpet moments to appearing in coordinated costumes, their love story is one of shared laughter, longevity, and a genuine connection. Here’s everything you need to know about the life partner of Hollywood’s iconic ‘Elf’ man.
Long before he became a breakout star in Hollywood, Ferrell’s paths crossed with Swedish-born Viveca in 1991, during an acting class at the South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, California. The pair started out as friends and briefly dated before breaking up. The reason for their split back then, as Ferrell put it, was their connection that was “too much, too fast, [and] at too young”.
Even though they stopped dating, Ferrell and Paulin remained good friends for five years. Eventually, fate brought them back together, and this time, it was permanent. After dating for some years, the pair tied the knot in August 2000, around the same time when Will’s fame through Saturday Night Live was skyrocketing. Speaking about their connection, the former SNL star told PEOPLE:
“We were drawn to each other through our shared sense of humour, and that has remained the foundation of our relationship.”
Ferrell and Paulin’s chemistry is a rare one, a perfect blend of love, laughter, and balance. When asked about the secret behind their decades-long marriage, the Zoolander star always credits one thing: laughter. In a November 2024 interview with PEOPLE, Ferrell candidly shared his views on the same and mentioned:
“Every now and then, I’ll get her to laugh, and she’ll say, ‘Okay, okay. You still got it’... Through all of life's ups and downs and raising a family… it's always great to have this partner in crime that you can kind of step away from the fray and just share a thought and share a moment with, where you're both kind of still on the same page, and you get to kind of connect that way.”
Now married for 25 years, Ferrell and Paulin are stronger than ever. They are parents to three sons, Magnus (21), Mattias (18), and Axel (15). The couple continues to redefine Hollywood romance while perfectly balancing their star-studded life with normal family moments.
Born April 24, 1969, in Askim, Sweden, Viveca grew up in Boston and later earned a B.A. in Art History from Pomona College. Her passion for art led her to work as an auctioneer and art collector, with stints at Butterfield & Butterfield and Los Angeles Modern Auctions. With her creative eye and generosity, she also serves on the boards of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Hammer Museum. She and Ferrell own works by esteemed artists like Ed Ruscha, Karl Benjamin, and Richard Diebenkorn.
However, before she became a prominent figure in the art world, Viveca dabbled in acting for several years. She has appeared alongside her star husband in the 1998 film, A Night at the Roxbury. Before that, she had played an auctioneer in Money Talks (1997), and more recently, in 2018, she lent her voice to the animated film Ralph Breaks the Internet.
Beyond the laughs, Viveca has inspired some of Ferrell’s most iconic work. His 2020 film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga was born from watching the real-life competition with her Swedish family. The couple also shares philanthropic ideologies, supporting charities like Cancer for College and the Swim with Mike Foundation. They also created the Viveca Paulin and Will Ferrell Scholarship Fund for female athletes at USC.
As of 2025, Viveca Paulin and Will Ferrell’s marriage remains one of Hollywood’s most enduring love stories. Whether attending Lakers games or appearing side-by-side at art events, the couple continues to prove that the best partnerships are built on love, laughter, and a shared sense of purpose.
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