A strong marriage can endure any challenge. In a time when some neglect their marital vows, Delta Burke and Gerald McRaney stand out, honoring their commitment for over three decades. Read on to discover the numerous trials and triumphs this couple has faced.
Upon meeting actress Delta Burke, Gerald McRaney was determined to ask her out, despite the competition from numerous other suitors. Recalling the moment he approached her, he said, “I wasn’t going to let her get away. I already had competition with people asking her out, and I was going to move in right away.”
Their connection was immediate, leading McRaney to realize she was the one for him. On their second date, he proposed, but it took two more years, in 1989, for the couple to officially tie the knot on May 28. While it may not have been as swift as McRaney would have preferred, he was delighted to have won the heart of the girl of his dreams!
While it was Delta Burke’s first marriage, Gerald McRaney had been married twice before. Determined to make it last this time, he was committed to the relationship.
Despite their deep love, some of McRaney’s friends doubted the wisdom of their marriage. However, he consistently dismissed their concerns, stating, “Why not? They’re the only people who understand this insanity. And she does. If I’m on location, and I don’t call her until 2 o’clock in the morning, no big deal. She knows.”
Both being part of the entertainment industry, they understood each other’s challenges. This common ground allowed them to provide support and advice to each other regarding any issues they might face.
They serve as each other’s greatest champions in moments of success. When Gerald McRaney secured a Primetime Emmy award for his role in “This Is Us,” Delta Burke was his most enthusiastic supporter. With tears in her eyes, she stood in the audience, cheering on her beloved husband.
McRaney shared that, in his years as an actor, he has received plenty of feedback, but he values Burke’s opinion the most. Whether she praises a performance or suggests improvements, he knows she’s being honest and takes her input seriously.
In 1998, the strength of their marriage faced a challenge. Delta Burke experienced the loss of her grandmother, followed by her mother being diagnosed with breast cancer. Additionally, she took a hiatus from her acting career due to a disagreement with the producers of “Designing Women.”
Fans began to notice the actress gaining weight during her appearance on the show. It was later revealed that she was grappling with hypoglycemia, which contributed to the weight gain.
Her ongoing struggle with weight, compounded by ineffective hypoglycemia treatment and dieting, eventually led to the development of type 2 diabetes. Burke faced difficulties in obtaining a diagnosis, consulting multiple doctors. Recalling the experience, she said, “I was on the road a lot. I was tired. My body didn’t feel right. I knew something was wrong, but nobody could tell me what. They said I had Epstein-Barr. I knew it was something else. Then one doctor did the right tests and told me I had diabetes.”
During that time, she was also tending to her mother’s needs and neglecting her own. Although she was on medication for her condition, her doctor cautioned her to improve her diet, or insulin therapy would become necessary.
After a prolonged struggle, her mother eventually recovered, and Burke commended her husband for steadfastly supporting her. He ensured she took her medication and looked after her well-being. In 2004, McRaney successfully battled lung cancer.
Now relying on insulin, Burke credits McRaney for assisting in her care, including helping with insulin shots. She expressed, “He loved me when I got as big as a house… He has loved me through my up times and my down times. He still thinks my body looks great, and I can certifiably tell you it does not!”
The couple actively maintains their health and well-being together, and Delta Burke is pleased with her current state of health. Although she has no plans to return to acting, her husband, McRaney, believes she won’t either but expresses a desire to work with her again.
While McRaney has no retirement plans, the couple has purchased a home in central Florida and intends to move there soon. Despite not having children together, they dedicated their lives to raising McRaney’s three kids from a previous marriage.
Their enduring commitment to their wedding vows serves as a powerful example to Hollywood and the world. Sending them all the love and well wishes! Share their story with others to showcase the beauty of a loving and strong marriage.