They were once dubbed the sweethearts of Hollywood—an inseparable pair whose romance seemed built to last. For more than two decades, Colin and Livia appeared to have it all: enduring love, two sons, and a peaceful life in the Italian countryside. But behind the idyllic exterior, tension was quietly building. Then, seemingly overnight, everything unraveled.

To understand how it began, it helps to remember the romantic arc of Colin Firth’s character in *Love Actually*: falling for a Portuguese woman, learning her language, and making a heartfelt declaration. Something surprisingly similar happened to Colin years earlier—only without the scripted charm. In 1995, he met his future wife while filming the British-Italian miniseries *Nostromo*. She worked as a production assistant, and he later described it as love at first sight.

According to Firth, the moment was vivid and immediate. He said he saw her walking through a crowd while he stood on the steps of an old church, and that single sight was enough to change everything. He didn’t even approach her right away—he admitted he couldn’t move. But the pull was undeniable, and the romance followed.

Two years later, they married in a 13th-century church near her hometown. They settled just outside Tuscany, building a life far from Hollywood’s constant noise. Over time, Firth became an Italian citizen and embraced the slower rhythm of their countryside home. From the outside, it looked like a deliberate choice for stability.

Their family grew in the early 2000s. In 2001, they welcomed their first son, Luca. In 2003, their second son, Matteo, arrived. For years, the couple projected a grounded, private kind of happiness.

Firth often described himself as a “one-woman man.” He publicly insisted he could never cheat, even joking that simply thinking of his wife helped him resist temptation. In a 2011 interview, he suggested their marriage had outlasted Hollywood norms and implied it would last forever. Their “secret,” as he framed it, was spending real time together and staying rooted.

For a long time, that story held. Then in 2018, their private life was dragged into the spotlight. An Italian newspaper reported that the couple had asked police to investigate a man they believed was stalking Livia. The allegation was explosive—and it only became more complicated from there.

According to their complaint, Italian journalist Marco Brancaccia had harassed them for years with texts, emails, threatening calls, and even photos of Livia sent to her husband. Police investigated, but Marco denied stalking. He claimed he and Livia were childhood friends—and then alleged they had been having an affair. Suddenly, the narrative flipped from victimhood to scandal.

Marco insisted his “stalking” amounted to only a couple of WhatsApp messages and an email after the relationship ended in June 2016. He claimed Livia accused him to conceal the affair. He also alleged she had sent him hundreds of affectionate messages, photos, videos, and even diary-like material. The case escalated rapidly in public perception.

Italian police ultimately investigated, and Marco was charged with stalking in May 2018 after abusive messages and emails were reportedly found on his phone. After the affair allegation became public, Livia acknowledged that she and Firth had separated for a year in 2015. During that separation, she confirmed she had been involved with her childhood friend. The couple later reconciled, at least outwardly, and resumed appearing united.

For a while, they looked like the same closely bonded pair fans remembered. But the rupture—and the drama surrounding it—appeared too deep to fully repair. In 2019, they announced they were splitting for good. Even then, they emphasized respect and a shared commitment to raising their children.

A source close to the couple suggested the relationship never truly recovered after the affair and the fallout. The claim was simple: even if they wanted to save the family unit, betrayal leaves a mark that time can’t easily erase. According to that view, staying together couldn’t undo what had happened. Eventually, moving on became the only path forward.

Despite the breakup, both maintained there was no bad blood. Livia continued to speak warmly of Colin and once described him as her “best partner in crime.” Their public tone stayed measured and mature, emphasizing co-parenting over conflict. Even in separation, they aimed to keep the family intact in spirit.

After the split, Firth was reported to be living in West London with his teenage sons. During that period, his longtime friend Stanley Tucci was said to be a source of support. Their friendship had deep roots, dating back to their work together in the early 2000s. It also strengthened after Tucci’s first wife, Kate, died of cancer in 2009.

Not long after, they filmed the romantic drama *Supernova*, and their bond seemed even more visible. They both live in London, and their kids are friends, which made their connection feel natural and longstanding. Tucci once joked that they never get tired of each other—perhaps because they’re “incredibly boring” in the same way. In moments like that, their friendship read like quiet stability amid public turbulence.

Interestingly, Colin and Livia also appeared to remain close in the months after their separation. Reports noted they even spent New Year’s Eve together shortly after confirming the split. Livia posted reflectively about endings and beginnings, signaling a transition rather than a war. Not long after, she and Colin co-hosted a London screening of *The Great Hack*, highlighting their shared interest in public issues.

As tabloids do, rumors soon followed. There was chatter linking Firth to Renée Zellweger, though the claim had little visible evidence and felt closer to fan fiction than reporting. The two hadn’t been publicly seen together in years, making the speculation thin at best. Still, celebrity narratives rarely wait for proof.

More recently, Firth has been linked to BBC newsreader Joanna Gosling after they were spotted walking together in a West London park. That sighting reignited curiosity, especially given how quickly rumors can become “stories.” Meanwhile, Colin and Livia have continued to present themselves as amicable ex-partners. Whatever broke, they’ve worked to keep respect—and their family—standing.