This Girl Is Now a Superstar & Was Called a ‘Husband Stealer,’ Who Reportedly Paid $200,000 to Her Husband’s Ex to Let Him Go

Despite being married for over two decades, the renowned actress and her cinematographer husband have faced challenges in their relationship. Early in their romance, the cinematographer’s former spouse alleged that the actress had taken him away and was responsible for their divorce.

Any man would be privileged to share his life with this actress, who is undoubtedly one of the most stunning figures in Hollywood. Individuals such as her former husband Lyle Lovett and the briefly engaged Kiefer Sutherland felt fortunate to have been part of her romantic history.

She has also been linked to Liam Neeson, Dylan McDermott, Matthew Perry, and Jason Patric. It was in 2000 that she learned why these past relationships did not flourish. The actress encountered her husband while filming “The Mexican,” where he served as the cinematographer and she starred in front of the camera.

At the time, her husband was still married to makeup artist Vera Steimberg, while she was in a relationship with Benjamin Bratt. In a previous interview, she expressed that meeting her husband transformed her life in an incredibly positive manner, marking a significant turning point.

Although they did not begin dating immediately, both eventually resolved their personal circumstances and ended their previous relationships. Six months after their initial meeting, the cinematographer sought a divorce from his wife, although he faced difficulties as Steimberg was reluctant to finalize the separation.

The actress described her encounter with the cinematographer as akin to finding her soul mate—someone who revealed to her the essence of true happiness. She characterized the experience as filled with both “comfort and terror,” explaining, “Terror because the person I want to impress most is looking right at me.”

In response to the rumors surrounding the origins of their relationship, the actress remarked that people often made assumptions about her dating life, and this situation was no different. She noted that many were unaware of the true nature of their connection.
In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, she clarified that she was not responsible for the strained relationship between the cinematographer and his ex-wife. However, due to her visibility, she became an easy target for blame.

Winfrey did not shy away from pursuing the topic further, asking if she and the cinematographer were friends. The actress confirmed that they had been friends for some time and that their collaboration on a film had deepened their connection.

She acknowledged that the early stages of their relationship were fraught with anxiety, as she feared losing a friend if their romantic involvement did not succeed. When questioned about his marriage and the complexities of falling in love with a married man, she reiterated the emotional toll it took on her, but emphasized that they had ensured their previous relationships were resolved before moving forward. Nevertheless, Winfrey pressed on, asking if they had developed feelings for each other prior to his marriage.

The actress replied, “Yes and no,” recognizing that while their initial attraction was strong, a relationship at that time was not feasible. Winfrey then brought up one of her outfits, which some interpreted as a subtle jab at the cinematographer’s ex-wife. The actress was photographed wearing a shirt that read “A Low Vera.” In response to inquiries about the shirt, she maintained that it was a personal matter, stating, “I stand by my T-shirt.”

Following the finalization of the divorce, the actress and the director embarked on their romantic journey. She previously noted that “the only reason we were able to ultimately fall in love with each other and be together” was due to their ability to resolve their individual issues independently.
The couple often finds themselves spending considerable time apart due to their commitments in the film industry. The actress revealed that she and her husband frequently exchanged numerous letters, and she still possesses those correspondences, including the very first seven-page letter he wrote to her.

To alleviate her feelings of loneliness, the actress turned to knitting, a skill she acquired on a film set many years prior. She mentioned that they monitored their knitting progress, using it to gauge their respective “loneliness meters.”

The actress was referred to as “Husband Stealer” by some.

However, the wife of the cinematographer offers a contrasting perspective. According to Steimberg, the star pursued her husband while he was still married.

Steimberg reportedly expressed that the actress is someone she could never forgive, labeling her a thief of her husband. She predicted that the relationship would not endure, suggesting that within a year, the actress would be seeking a new partner. Steimberg remarked, “Danny has a wandering eye, and he won’t change.”

Reports indicate that Steimberg faced significant pressure from the actress to sign the divorce papers, ultimately succumbing to that pressure. Despite her reluctance to end her marriage, Steimberg allegedly described the actress as “desperate” for wanting the cinematographer exclusively.

Despite the media’s portrayal of her as the catalyst for the breakdown of the cinematographer’s marriage, the actress characterized their relationship as a rare and extraordinary experience. The “Pretty Woman” star expressed how profoundly her husband has enriched her life, noting that she previously led a rather self-absorbed existence focused solely on her filmmaking. However, his presence shifted her priorities significantly.