Who Is Cillian Murphy's Wife, Yvonne McGuinness? Inside Their Private Love Story

Cillian Murphy is the talk of the internet, especially off the success of his wildly popular film Oppenheimer. The Irish actor, whose resume includes smash hits like Peaky Blinders, Dunkirk, and Inception, has won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama Motion Picture, and the film took home Drama Motion Picture. It won big at the Oscars too, with Murphy taking home the Academy Award for Best Actor. Since his name is everywhere, fans can't help but wonder: Who is Cillian Murphy's wife?

It's true: Cillian Murphy is married to Yvonne McGuinness, and together they share two sons. (If you've been charmed by his enviable cheekbones and piercing blue eyes, we're sorry to report that he's off the market.) Here, we break down everything we know about Cillian Murphy and his wife's private love story, including how they met, when they got married, and what their family life is like today.

• Cillian Murphy's wife is Yvonne McGuinness, an Irish visual artist.
• Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness met in 1996 at one of his rock band's concerts.
• Yvonne McGuinness and Cillian Murphy's wedding took place in 2004.
• Today, Cillian Murphy and his wife share two sons together, born in 2005 and 2007.

In this article:

• Who is Cillian Murphy's Wife? All About Yvonne McGuinness
• Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness' Relationship Timeline
• Yvonne McGuinness and Cillian Murphy's Wedding Details

Who is Cillian Murphy's Wife? All About Yvonne McGuinness

Photo: Earl Gibson III/Golden Globes 2024 | Getty Images

Cillian Murphy's wife is Yvonne McGuinness. Despite being married to one of the biggest stars in the world, she leads an incredibly private life. While not much is known about her relationship with the famed actor, here are a few fast facts about Cillian Murphy's wife.

She's Also Irish

Cillian Murphy's wife Yvonne McGuinness was born in 1972 in Kilkenny, Ireland. The couple lived in Dublin until 2001, when they moved to London for McGuinness' art education. In 2015, they moved back to Dublin with their sons.

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

She's a Visual Artist

Yvonne McGuinness is a visual artist. She holds a Master of Arts from the Royal College of Art in London. According to her website, she cites her inspirations as "place, time and community."

She's Worked on Movies

Just like her husband, Yvonne McGuinness is no stranger to the entertainment industry. By the looks of her Vimeo page, she's made a handful of short films.

She Keeps Her Husband "Grounded"

In a 2005 interview with People, Cillian Murphy told the outlet that his wife keeps him "grounded" amid his career in the spotlight. "It's very important to have somebody like that," he said. "My life hasn't changed in any way, really. I still have the same friends and we go to the same places."

How Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness Met

Photo: Michael Buckner/Variety | Getty Images

We know what you're wondering. How did Cillian Murphy meet his wife? The answer is pretty dreamy. In the 1990s, the actor was in a band named Disco Pigs—and it was at one of their shows in 1996 that he met Yvonne McGuinness. "That time, making Disco Pigs, was kind of the most important period of my life," he told The Guardian in a 2016 interview. "The people I met there remain my closest friends…They shaped me in terms of my tastes, in terms of what I wanted to do with my life."

He added, "And it was around the same time I met my wife. She came on tour with us. It was so exciting, 20 years ago or whatever it was—we were all just kids, trying to find our way—but such a special, special time."

Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness' Relationship Timeline

Although Cillian Murphy and his wife tend to keep a low profile in the public eye, we were able to piece together some key details about their romance. Look back on the couple's complete relationship timeline here.

1996: Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness Meet

Thanks to Cillian's interview with The Guardian, we know that he met his wife in 1996 while on tour with his band, Disco Pigs. Their romance blossomed on the road, and the two have been together for nearly 30 years.

2001: Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness Move to London

In 2001, Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness moved from their native Ireland to London, England. The couple relocated so that McGuinness could further her education at the Royal College of Art.

2004: Cillian Murphy and His Wife Yvonne Get Married

Reports say that Cillian Murphy and his wife got married in 2004. While there aren't many public details about the couple's nuptials, we break down everything we do know below.

2005-2007: Cillian Murphy's Sons Join the Family

In 2005, Cillian Murphy's son Malachy was born. He was joined by his brother, Aran, in 2007. If you're looking for photos of Cillian Murphy's kids, you won't find much, as the couple prefers to keep their family out of the spotlight.

2014: Cillian Murphy Shares Why He Keeps His Family Life Private

One year after the premiere of his beloved show Peaky Blinders, Cillian Murphy opened up to the Irish Independent about why he chooses to lead a private life off-camera. "I get the bus, I get the tube, I go to the shop and get the milk and do normal things," he told the outlet. "I would hate it if that became impossible. As an actor, you're supposed to be playing real people so it seems essential to live like a normal person."

2015: Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness Move Back to Dublin

Fourteen years after they relocated to London, Cillian Murphy and his wife Yvonne McGuinness moved back to Ireland with their family. Now, they reportedly live near Dublin.

2019: Cillian Murphy Praises His Wife For Helping Him Maintain "Work-Life Balance"

In a rare, candid interview, Cillian Murphy praised his wife while chatting with GQ in 2019. "That work-life-balance thing is hard," Murphy told the publication, giving credit to his partner for helping him manage his career and his family. "I have an amazing wife and I couldn't do this without her and her understanding. But it is a struggle. I think it is for any dad whose work takes him away, which it generally does, and which consumes him, which my work does."

He also said that he makes it a point to be home at least six months a year to prioritize his loved ones. "I make sure that I try not to go from job to job to job, because that means you live in a bubble of set, hotel, set, hotel, plane, film festivals—which, to me, is not reality," he shared.

2024: Cillian Murphy and His Wife Make Rare Public Appearance at the Golden Globes

Photo: Christopher Polk/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024 | Getty Images

Before the 2024 Golden Globes, Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness never walked a red carpet together. The actor was accompanied by his wife to the award ceremony, where he won Best Actor in a Drama Motion Picture for his work in Oppenheimer. His wife appeared by his side as they entered the event, and she was also seen in a photo with Murphy and his co-star Robert Downey Jr.

Cillian Murphy thanked his wife in his acceptance speech and even acknowledged their apparent PDA in front of the audience (as evidenced by the red lipstick smeared on his face). "First question, do I have lipstick all over my nose?" he asked at the podium. "I was gonna leave it." At the end of his speech, he said, "To my family, I'm the luckiest man and I love you."

Photo: Michael Buckner/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024 | Getty Images

A few days prior to the Golden Globes, Murphy won the Desert Palm Achievement Award at the Palm Springs International Film Awards and gave another shoutout to his family. "Two-thirds of them are sitting down there. We had to leave one of them at home doing exams," he said. "But just thanks for putting up with me—putting up with the half me and the shadow me and the absent me, the remains of me when I'm doing a film like this or work in general. You're always there. I love it. So thanks, guys."

March 2024: Cillian Murphy Thanks His Wife at the Oscars

Photo: Kevin Winter | Getty Images

Following his big win for Best Actor at the 2024 Oscars, Cillian Murphy graciously thanked his wife and children in his acceptance speech. "I want to thank my incredible team," the Oppenheimer star said. "Big shout out to Craig Bankey, Brendan Murphy, Mary Murphy, Yvonne McGuinness, my partner in life and art, my two boys Malachy and Aran who are sitting up there, I love you so much and I'm a very proud Irishman standing here tonight."

Yvonne McGuinness and Cillian Murphy's Wedding Details

Looking for photos of Cillian Murphy's wedding? Honestly, same. Not much is known about Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness' big day. It's been reported that the two swapped vows at her father's vineyard, Domaine des Anges, in Provence, France.

"Our beautiful vineyard shares its name with the chapel of Notre Dame des Anges, who watches over us from the summit of a hill where Roman soldiers once stood guard, looking across a colourful mosaic of vineyards to Mont Ventoux, 'The Giant of Provence,' now one of cycling's greatest challenges," the company website reads. "Vines have been grown here for over 2000 years. In that time, while empires rose and fell, Domaine des Anges has had many owners, but its success today is due to the efforts of an Englishman, two Irishmen and a Frenchman."

According to the site, McGuinness' father, Gay McGuinness, purchased the winery when its founder retired in 1992. "Undaunted by challenges or mistakes, McGuinness brought new energy and purpose," the description continues. "He built a modern winery and carefully restored the centuries old stone farm buildings, now let as gites, that surround a small courtyard dominated by an ancient olive tree. Also, because, in life as in vines, roots matter, he added the arms of the city of Kilkenny, Ireland, his birthplace, to all our wine labels."

Although we have yet to see pictures of Cillian Murphy's wedding day, we can only imagine how beautiful it would have been if the private affair did take place at this historic winery.