Many would be shocked to learn that Henry Winkler and his wife hardly ever saw each other again after their initial encounter in a garment store despite having three children and a devoted 44-year marriage.
Henry Winkler’s portrayal of Arthur Fonzarelli in “Happy Days” is probably his most well-known performance, but he deserves praise for his loving marriage to Stacey. It isn’t easy to realize that they almost didn’t go on their first date.
Due to the classic parts that the actor has played during his lengthy career, Henry Winkler is a name that the majority of people are familiar with. Winkler is best known for playing Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli in the television series “Happy Days,” a part that continues to be heavily cited in modern society.
When Stacey and Henry first met, the respective public relations specialist and actor were in a clothes store with which Stacey’s agency worked. Henry enlisted Stacey’s assistance to get a sport coat, and the rest is history.
Henry recalled their initial encounter: “She was wearing purple parachute pants and had red hair, and I didn’t even hear her say a word before I thought, ‘Woah, beautiful woman standing in front of me.’ When I returned to the shop the following week, she was still there. And in just ten minutes, I discovered how resilient she is.”
A week later, when Henry returned to the same store to get his coat, Stacey almost declined his invitation to date. She eventually accepted, of course, and before they knew it, they were dating.
Stacey and her son, who was four then, went beyond courting and moved in with Henry right before the couple decided to get married in 1978.
After getting married in the same Manhattan synagogue where Winkler had his bar mitzvah, the pair had to start negotiating Henry’s rising celebrity. Stacey frequently had to deal with the overwhelming amount of female attention he began to get.
Stacey revealed that women kept going up to their husbands even after the couple married. Knowing that the attention was excellent for his work, she said she must learn to deal with it.
She even said that people would step over my feet as they rushed up to Henry. “You just absolutely wrecked my stockings, I exclaimed once. And this lady responded, ‘But I adore Fonzie!’”
Female fans were not a major concern to the pair compared to upcoming challenges.
In 1980, Henry and Stacey welcomed their daughters Zoey and Max, and they coexisted for many years with their offspring and careers.
Max Daniel Winkler decided to follow in his father’s footsteps in the entertainment industry. He is now a writer, director, and producer for hit shows like “New Girl” and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” among others.
However, the family’s circumstances were depressing in the late 1990s. After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, Stacey had to deal with a brand-new problem.
Stacey had remission very soon. This continued for some months until her disease, regrettably, came back in 2007. She underwent a double mastectomy at this time, and she has been cancer-free ever since.
Henry has gotten deeply interested in breast cancer awareness in support of his devoted wife. At the 13th annual “In The Pink of Health” Luncheon, one of several activities the group holds to raise money for breast cancer patients and their families, Winkler was invited to speak as the guest speaker.
Henry had been assisting folks with cancer long before Stacey was diagnosed, showing up at an all-star basketball game in 1976 to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Henry and his wife have sustained a long and happy marriage by showing each other support and respect. Even though they insist there are other factors contributing to their successful marriage, they do not hide their love.
Henry was shocked when James Corden presented him with a photo from his and Stacey’s wedding day on the James Corden show. Winkler’s comment was that Stacey is still just as stunning today as she was on their wedding day.
Henry is not the only person who has publicly declared their love. She frequently uses social media postings and images to support her still-busy husband.
Although 44 years of marriage are never simple, the couple has frequently been candid about collaborating to meet life’s problems.
It does require effort. There are bumps in the road, and you get a little out of whack, but if you have the skill and the perseverance based on love, your friendship and relationship only get better,” Stacey once told People.
Winkler and his wife now enjoy having grandchildren. Since his grandparents were sent to concentration camps during the Holocaust, Winkler could not form a close bond with them; as a result, he treasures his relationship with his grandchildren.
He recalled how one of his grandchildren had recognized him on television in an interview. He added that our four-year-old grandson, who is allowed to watch one show before going to bed, was watched by my wife and me. His DVR is set to record Happy Days. That’s you, he replied as he turned to face me. Your hair had changed. You were slimmer back then.
He claimed that his young grandchildren didn’t know he was a well-known actor; instead, he was just their adoring “Papa,” which was fine with him.
Due to their courage, realism, and love as a couple and individuals, the two should genuinely serve as an example to the rest of us.
