In 1998, 14-year-old Mila Kunis had her first kiss with 20-year-old Ashton Kutcher on the set of That '70s Show.
It was scripted. For TV. And deeply awkward.
For the next 14 years, they remained friends—nothing more. Ashton married Demi Moore. Mila dated Macaulay Culkin for eight years.
Then in 2012, they ran into each other at an awards show. Started talking. Realized something had changed.
Today, they're worth a combined $275 million, have two kids, and run a quiet private life that's the opposite of typical Hollywood.
This is the story of the most patient love story in Hollywood—the co-stars who needed 15 years and other relationships before they were ready for each other.
The Awkward Beginning: That '70s Show (1998)
When Mila Kunis auditioned for That '70s Show, she was 14 years old.
The lie: Told casting directors she'd be 18 "on her birthday." Didn't mention which birthday.
Why it worked: They didn't check. She got the role of Jackie Burkhart.
Ashton Kutcher: 20 years old, model turned actor, playing Michael Kelso—Jackie's boyfriend.
The age gap: 6 years. Legal but uncomfortable given she was actually 14.
The first kiss (1999): Scripted for the show. Mila's first kiss ever.
Mila's memory: "I was so nervous. He was like my older brother. It was the worst."
Ashton's memory: "I felt like a creep. She was a kid."
The dynamic: Big brother / little sister. Nothing romantic.
Growing Up on Screen (1998-2006)
That '70s Show ran for 8 seasons. Mila and Ashton spent their formative years together.
Mila's journey:
- 14 to 22 years old
- Became woman on that set
- First job, first kiss, first everything
- Ashton was protective older friend
Ashton's journey:
- 20 to 28 years old
- Launched movie career while doing show
- Became major star (Dude, Where's My Car?, The Butterfly Effect)
- Dated famous women
Their relationship: Purely platonic. Ashton dated Hollywood stars. Mila was "the kid."
What Ashton said later: "I watched her grow up. I was her friend. Romance never crossed my mind."
Ashton's First Marriage: Demi Moore (2005-2013)
While still on That '70s Show, Ashton started dating Demi Moore.
The relationship:
- Met in 2003
- Married September 2005
- Age gap: 15 years (Demi was 42, Ashton was 27)
- Became tabloid obsession
- Lasted 8 years
The problems:
- Age gap scrutiny
- Ashton's alleged cheating (2011)
- Demi's struggles with addiction
- Fundamentally incompatible
The divorce: Filed 2012, finalized 2013.
The damage: Ashton's reputation took hit. Seen as cheater, immature, not ready for serious relationship.
Mila's Long-Term Relationship: Macaulay Culkin (2002-2011)
While Ashton was with Demi, Mila dated Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin for 8 years.
The relationship:
- Started 2002 (Mila was 18)
- Lasted nearly a decade
- Extremely private
- Serious but never married
- Ended 2011
Why it ended: "We grew apart. We were together from when I was 18 to 26. I became a different person."
The timing: Ended just before Ashton's marriage fell apart.
The Reconnection: 2012
In 2012, both were single. Both were damaged from failed relationships. Both ran into each other at an awards show.
The conversation: Started as friendly catch-up. Became something more.
What changed: They were both adults now. Both had grown. Both had been hurt. Both were ready for something real.
The unexpected attraction: "I looked at him and thought, 'When did he get so hot?'" - Mila
"I saw her as a woman for the first time, not as Jackie from the show." - Ashton
The Friends with Benefits Phase (2012)
Neither wanted a relationship. Both had just gotten out of long-term commitments.
Their agreement: Keep it casual. No feelings. Just fun.
Mila's perspective: "I was not ready for a relationship. I just wanted to have fun."
Ashton's perspective: "I didn't want to ruin our friendship. But I couldn't resist her."
The problem: Feelings developed anyway.
The "Oh Shit, I'm in Love" Moment (2012)
Three months into "casual," both realized they'd fallen in love.
The turning point: Ashton had to go to Europe for work. They both realized they didn't want to be apart.
Mila's realization: "This isn't casual anymore. I'm in love with my friend."
Ashton's realization: "She's the one. I've known her for 14 years. How did I not see this?"
The decision: Stop pretending it's casual. Commit for real.
Going Public: Quietly (2012-2013)
Unlike Ashton's Demi relationship, he and Mila kept things low-key.
Their strategy:
- No red carpet appearances together for first year
- No social media posts
- No interviews about relationship
- Lived normal life in LA
Why the privacy: Both had been burned by public relationships. Wanted to protect this one.
The first public appearance: April 2013, caught by paparazzi at basketball game.
Media reaction: "Wait, when did this happen?"
The Proposal: Private and Perfect (February 2014)
Ashton proposed in February 2014. Mila's engagement ring: simple, not flashy.
How he proposed: Private. At home. Just them.
The ring: 5-carat round diamond. Simple platinum band. Worth ~$250,000 but understated.
Announcement: They didn't announce it. Mila wore the ring. Media noticed.
Their approach: "We're getting married. That's all you need to know."
The Baby First, Wedding Second Strategy (2014-2015)
Mila got pregnant before the wedding.
Daughter Wyatt: Born October 1, 2014.
The wedding: July 4, 2015—9 months after Wyatt's birth.
Why the order: "We wanted to focus on the baby. The wedding could wait."
The ceremony: Secret location, small guest list, no media. Quiet and private.
Their priority: Family first. Spectacle never.
The Parenting Partnership (2014-Present)
Mila and Ashton have two kids:
- Wyatt (born 2014)
- Dimitri (born 2016)
Parenting philosophy:
- Keep kids out of spotlight completely
- No social media pictures showing faces
- Normal school, normal activities
- Teach gratitude and humility
The "no trust fund" decision: Publicly stated they won't leave fortune to kids.
Ashton's explanation: "I want them to build their own lives. Money doesn't make you happy."
The education approach: Kids speak multiple languages (English, Russian from Mila's heritage).
The Business Partnership: More Than Romance
Mila and Ashton aren't just married—they're business partners.
Ashton's ventures:
- A-Grade Investments: $250 million venture capital fund
- Early investor: Uber, Airbnb, Spotify
- Tech startup investments
- Net worth: ~$200 million
Mila's involvement: Active advisor in Ashton's investments and business decisions.
Their collaboration: Make financial decisions together. Mila has veto power on investments.
The success: Combined net worth: ~$275 million (some estimates higher).
The Privacy Strategy: Anti-Hollywood Couple (2012-Present)
Mila and Ashton are famous—but you rarely see them.
What they DON'T do:
- Red carpet couple appearances (rare)
- Social media couple posts (almost never)
- Magazine covers together (turned down millions)
- Reality content (absolutely not)
- Public displays of affection
What they DO:
- Live in LA like normal people
- Attend kids' school events
- Keep relationship private
- Work separately
The message: "Our relationship isn't your entertainment."
The Bathing Controversy (2021)
In 2021, Mila and Ashton made headlines for admitting they don't bathe their kids every day.
What they said: "We don't believe in bathing kids or ourselves too much. If you can see dirt, clean it. Otherwise, there's no point."
Internet reaction: Outrage. Disgust. Mockery.
Their response: "We were joking. Well, kind of."
The real point: They don't care what internet thinks about their parenting.
The Ukraine Support: Mila's Heritage (2022)
When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Mila (born in Ukraine) became vocal advocate.
Her background:
- Born Milena Kunis in Chernivtsi, Ukraine (1983)
- Immigrated to US at age 7
- Family fled antisemitism and economic collapse
- Spoke no English when arrived
Response to invasion:
- Raised $35 million for Ukraine relief (with Ashton)
- Created GoFundMe campaign
- Matched donations personally
- Used platform for advocacy
Ashton's support: Appeared in videos with Mila, promoted fundraising, fully backed her cause.
The impact: One of largest celebrity-led humanitarian efforts of 2022.
The Marriage Philosophy: Learned from Failures
Both came into marriage having learned from past relationships.
Ashton learned:
- Age gaps create power imbalances
- Public relationships face extra pressure
- Honesty is non-negotiable
- Growth must be mutual
Mila learned:
- You outgrow people
- Timing matters
- Privacy protects love
- Partnership requires equality
What they bring to marriage:
- Mutual respect
- Shared values
- Similar life goals
- Complementary strengths
The Weird Traditions They Have
Mila and Ashton have quirky marriage habits:
Christmas gifts: Don't buy each other presents. Instead write letters about what they appreciate.
Date nights: Rarely go out. Prefer staying home watching TV.
Arguments: Mila says she "argues like a lawyer." Ashton says he "concedes quickly because she's always right."
Languages: Mila speaks to kids in Russian. Ashton is learning Russian (badly).
Technology: Ashton is obsessed with tech. Mila couldn't care less. Constant jokes about this.
The Age Gap: Never an Issue (Because of Timing)
The 6-year age gap that was inappropriate in 1998 is irrelevant in 2024.
Why timing mattered:
- 1998: He was adult, she was child → wrong
- 2012: He was 34, she was 28 → both adults
The lesson: They needed to both be fully formed adults before romance worked.
What Ashton said: "If we'd gotten together when the show ended, it would have been a disaster. We weren't ready for each other."
The Friend Foundation: Why It Works
Unlike most Hollywood romances, Mila and Ashton were friends for 14 years first.
What friendship gave them:
- Deep understanding of each other
- No pretense or performance
- Shared history
- Trust foundation
The advantage: They skipped "getting to know you" phase. They already knew everything.
The difference: Most couples build friendship after romance. They did it backward—and it worked better.
The Billionaire Who Lives Normal (Ashton's Strategy)
Ashton Kutcher is worth $200+ million but lives surprisingly normal life.
His investments: Early stakes in Uber, Airbnb, Spotify made him tech investing genius.
His approach: Invest in companies solving problems, not chasing trends.
His lifestyle: Drives normal car. Lives in nice but not insane house. Doesn't flaunt wealth.
Mila's influence: She grew up poor in Ukraine. Keeps him grounded.
The Power Balance: Equals (Finally)
Unlike Ashton/Demi (power imbalance), Mila and Ashton are equals.
Career-wise:
- Mila: Major star (Black Swan, Bad Moms, Family Guy)
- Ashton: Investor, actor, producer
- Both successful independently
Financially:
- Ashton worth more (investments)
- But Mila earns plenty ($10-15M per film)
- Combined finances anyway
Partnership: Neither dominant. True 50/50 relationship.
Why it works: No power games. No resentment. Mutual respect.
The Demi Moore Shadow (2005-2015)
For years, Mila dealt with "not Demi" comparisons.
The media narrative:
- Younger, hotter version
- Replaced aging ex-wife
- Tabloid drama
The truth: Ashton and Demi's marriage ended badly. Mila had nothing to do with it.
How Mila handled it: Refused to engage. Never talked about Demi. Stayed classy.
Years later: Media finally moved on. Mila and Ashton's relationship stands on own.
The Secret to 12 Years Together (2012-2024)
People ask: How have you made it work?
Their answer: "We were friends first. We like each other. And we keep it private."
Specific strategies:
- Weekly date nights (at home)
- No phones during family time
- Regular communication
- Shared parenting duties
- Separate bathrooms (their tip)
The real secret: They genuinely enjoy each other's company.
The Future: What's Next
Mila and Ashton show no signs of Hollywood drama.
Current status (2024):
- Married 9 years
- Together 12 years
- Two kids thriving
- Businesses growing
- Relationship strong
Career plans:
- Mila: Selective film roles
- Ashton: Investing, producing
- Both: Focused on kids
The goal: Raise normal kids. Maintain privacy. Keep doing meaningful work.
The Lesson: Timing Is Everything
Mila and Ashton's story teaches one thing:
Timing matters.
If they'd gotten together in 1999: Disaster. Age gap issues. He wasn't ready. She was a kid.
If they'd gotten together in 2006: Wouldn't have worked. He needed Demi relationship to grow. She needed Macaulay to figure herself out.
2012 was perfect:
- Both single
- Both adults
- Both had been hurt
- Both knew what they wanted
- Both ready for real partnership
The wisdom: Sometimes the right person is there all along. But you're not ready yet.
The Co-Stars Who Waited
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher had their first kiss at 14 and 20.
It was awkward. Weird. Not romantic at all.
For the next 14 years, they were friends. Just friends.
He married a movie star. She dated a child star. They lived separate lives.
Then they found each other again—as fully formed adults ready for partnership.
The result: Hollywood's most private, stable, drama-free marriage.
The method:
- Friendship first
- Right timing second
- Privacy always
- Partnership over romance
- Real life over performance
They took the slowest route from co-stars to couple.
And in doing so, built something that actually lasts.
The moral: Sometimes the best love story is the one that takes 15 years to begin.
