On "Lyrics of Livin'" on 21/11, Matthew McConaughey shared his journey to find "the perfect other half" before he met and fell in love with Brazilian-born fashion designer Camila Alves.

Before finding Camila, McConaughey had several high-profile relationships. According to People, he dated actresses like Sandra Bullock, Ashley Judd, and Penelope Cruz, but these relationships did not last. He remained friends with them after their breakups.

"In my mid-30s, I started searching for a lifelong partner and best friend, someone who would become the mother of my children," McConaughey stated.

Matthew McConaughey, 56, and Camila, 42, in a promotional photoshoot in February. *Photo: Instagram/ Matthew McConaughey*

This desire was so strong that McConaughey dreamt of himself as an 88-year-old single man with 22 children. This dream helped him realize his profound yearning to be a father. He understood then that he didn't need to actively seek a perfect woman, but rather allow things to unfold naturally. McConaughey had even considered living a single life if he didn't find the right partner.

Ironically, true love appeared when McConaughey stopped actively searching. Three months after his dream, Camila Alves entered his life. "Twenty years later, she is still the only person I want to date, sleep with, and wake up next to," the actor shared.

People reported that the couple first met at a Hollywood nightclub in 2006. McConaughey revealed in an interview that after meeting Camila that evening, he had no desire to date anyone else. At the time, McConaughey was 37 and Camila was 23. They welcomed their first son, Levi Alves McConaughey, in 2008. Two years later, Camila gave birth to a daughter named Vida. They married in 2012 and later had another son, Livingston.

Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves in their early years together. *Photo: WireImage*

Over nearly two decades, the McConaugheys have supported each other through many significant moments. At the 2014 Academy Awards, Matthew McConaughey won his first Oscar for his leading role in "Dallas Buyers Club". Accepting the award, he thanked his wife and children for providing daily strength and purpose.

In a 2016 interview with Esquire, McConaughey credited Camila with encouraging his shift towards more profound film projects, moving away from the romantic comedies that initially defined his career. In 2023, the couple co-founded a wine company, consistently appearing in commercials together.

In a September interview with Fox News Digital, McConaughey revealed his secret to a happy marriage: opting for a queen-size bed (1,6 x 2m) to ensure closeness. He explained that he and Camila had switched from a king-size bed (2 x 2,2m) after he once woke up to find his wife "as far away as a football field" from him.

The McConaughey family attended an event in April. From left: Livingston, 13, Matthew and Camila, Vida, 15, Levi, 17. *Photo: Instagram/ Matthew McConaughey*

Born in 1969, Matthew McConaughey is a prominent Hollywood actor. He gained recognition for roles such as NASA pilot Joseph Cooper in "Interstellar" (2014) and Wooderson in "Dazed and Confused" (1993). He also starred in romantic comedies like "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" (2003) and "Failure to Launch" (2006). His career saw a significant shift when he won an Oscar for "Dallas Buyers Club" (2013). In March, he returned to film with "The Rivals of Amziah King" after a six-year hiatus.

A clip of Matthew McConaughey in "Interstellar". *Video: Paramount Movies*

Born in Brazil in 1982, Camila Alves McConaughey is a fashion designer and model. She began her modeling career at 19, appearing in music videos for artists like Chingy and Ne-Yo. In 2008, she launched her handbag brand Muxo and co-founded the Keep Livin Foundation with her husband. In 2014, Camila established Women of Today, a platform supporting women's health.

By Phuong Thao (Sources: People, Hello Magazine, Fox News)