Keira Knightley Provides Insight into Marriage to James Righton and Family Life
Keira Knightley provides a glimpse into her life as a wife and mother. The Black Doves star, 39, has been married to British musician James Righton since 2013. Together, they have two daughters, Edie, 9, and Delilah, 5.
In an interview with The Times of London, published on November 23, Knightley remarked on her 11-year union, saying, "It’s good for an actress and a musician, isn’t it? We really annoy each other. But, f-, do we laugh."
Knightley described her husband as an extrovert, while she finds social events, like Hollywood parties, challenging. She mentioned, "If James comes, they’re fun. James believes it is his right to have a good time, and he will create it anywhere he goes." Knightley added that unless she is "really drunk," which she avoids at such events, she finds them quite intense.
James has a talent for breaking the formality of social situations, something Knightley struggles with. She said, "I can’t do that." This dynamic adds an interesting layer to their relationship.
Since becoming a parent, Knightley has become more selective about her film and television roles. She aims to be present in her daughters' lives. "I couldn’t go job to job [abroad] now. It wouldn’t be in any way fair on them," she stated. Knightley emphasized, "I want to bring them up, so I’ve had to take a major step back."
Furthermore, she is unlikely to engage in large franchises, such as Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean, due to the demanding hours and obligations. Knightley commented, "The hours are insane. It’s years of your life…and you have no control over what you’re filming."
Interestingly, Knightley revealed that her daughters don't show much interest in her acting career. Edie recently watched Emma Watson in Little Women, expressing disappointment in seeing the actress take on a different role. Knightley recalled, "She said actors shouldn’t play [multiple] other characters. Well, we wouldn’t live in this house, darling."
In August, Knightley discussed the connection she shares with one of her daughters regarding dyslexia. On an episode of the Ruthie’s Table 4 podcast, she shared, "We have a dyslexic kid. It really bounces." She described her learning technique, saying, "I record it and listen to it, and that's how I learn it."
Her husband rightfully praised their daughter, noting, "She’ll look at books. She’ll memorize the book, basically. It’s amazing." Knightley credited her dyslexia diagnosis for shaping her acting career, revealing that her school used her creative aspirations as motivation to improve her reading. "It was always, ‘If you read… your grades go up, you’re allowed to keep on acting,’" she said.