Lifestyles of the rich and the scared.
Good Charlotte members Joel Madden and Benji Madden revealed that one of the secrets to their marriages to Nicole Richie and Cameron Diaz, respectively, is that they’re just a little bit scared of them.
“We all respect our wives,” Joel said on the latest episode of SiriusXM’s Literally! With Rob Lowe. “They are absolutely our counterparts, and we all have a healthy fear of our wives. In the best way. I don’t know if I ever thought someone could keep me.”
“It’s not that I was a relationship guy, but then I met Nicole and she absolutely runs the show,” the 46-year-old went on. “But we are partners. So there’s aspects that I run, but there’s a whole part of my life that would not work if she wasn’t there running it.”
The “Girls & Boys” hitmaker—who shares daughter Harlow, 17, and son Sparrow, 15, with the Simple Life star—added that he appreciates the strength that his wife brings to their household.
“She gave me a way deeper, richer life because of the aspects of my life that she oversees, and vice versa,” Joel explained. “I think we work together, but she’s strong. I respect her and fear her a little bit.”
Benji, 46, agreed, saying that meeting Cameron provided him with a steady presence that helped him to get his life together.
“It’s more than just a part of your life,” he shared. “It’s a whole foundation. Like Cameron, when we met, it was like the world just went like this,” before indicating that his world was the right side up.
“That’s the queen,” Benji added. “Go against my wife? Good luck. I don’t even need to get involved.”
The musician—who shares daughter Raddix, 5, and son Cardinal, 12 months, with the Charlie’s Angels actress—also noted that the strong women in him and his brother’s lives also want strong counterparts by their sides.
“When you think about the powerful women that are just these forces of nature—I think all of our wives are interesting in the fact that they also don’t want to be with a pushover guy,” Benji explained. “They still need a strong counterpart, but you have to also not have the ego.”
The insight into his marriage with Cameron comes after he expressed similar sentiments while celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary.
“This is my QUEEN,” the Good Charlotte member wrote in a Jan. 16 Instagram post. “I celebrate this BAD ASS WOMAN. Wife, Mommy, friend, partner, Boss, and lover. We just hit 10 YEARS married on January 5th and every year only gets more fulfilling. It’s special.”
“Never perfect—always real—always reliable,” he continued. “Every day getting to have my best friend with me ride or die. What a beautiful life. I am GRATEFUL!!! and ANOTHER MiLESTONE happening TOMORROW!!! We are SO happy to see you….BACK IN ACTION!!….Congrats baby!”
Keep reading for more on their romance…
December 2014: Engagement Rumors
One month before tying the knot, Cameron Diaz flashed what appeared to be an engagement ring from Benji Madden.
Jan. 5, 2015: Married!
Surprise! Shortly after Cameron teased the size of her engagement ring, the couple tied the knot at the actress’ Beverly Hills home.
Jan. 27, 2015: Courtship to Courtside
The newlyweds were all cozied up watching the Lakers play the Wizards in L.A.
March 2015: Wearing His Love
As if their wedding wasn’t enough proof of their romance, Benji flaunted his tattoo of his Cameron’s name on his chest.
April 2016: Cameron Opens Up
The There’s Something About Mary star opens up on Andy Cohen‘s Radio Andy show about how she and Benji met.
“The first thing I said when I first met my husband was, ‘He’s hot,'” she says. “How come I didn’t know this before? We had never been in the same circle.”
Cameron adds that they formally met when she hosted a dinner party at her house with his brother Joel Madden and sister-in-law Nicole Richie. Joel asked if he could invite Benji. Cameron says, “Then I saw him again. Wait a second, still hot!”
June 2016: We Are Family
Nicole Richie‘s dad Lionel Richie, husband Joel Madden, sister-in-law Cameron and brothers-in-law Josh (on the left) and Benji showed up to support her Harlow 1960 x REVOLVE launch.
June 2018: Back to Italy
The two took another couple’s trip to Italy, proving their love remains strong.
August 2019: Cameron Reflects on Marriage
“Getting married to him was the best thing that ever happened to me,” she tells InStyle about Benji. “My husband’s the best. He’s the greatest human being, and he’s my great partner. Marriage is certainly hard, and it’s a lot of work. You need somebody who’s willing to do the work with you, because there’s no 60-40 in marriage. It’s 50-50, period. All the time.”
January 2020: Oh, Baby!
Cameron and Benji announce on Instagram that they have welcomed a baby girl, Raddix Madden.
August 2023: Birthday Love
“I’m off line mostly these days, just working, painting, making things and doing family life, but I have grown to like my little tradition of coming back on special occasions to show love to my Queen,” Benji wrote on Instagram. “so today, it’s a very Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife, best friend, best partner in everything, ride or die, greatest Mom to our little girl, @Avaline wine boss, family chef, advisor, collaborator and everything else.”
March 2024: A Bigger Brood
The couple announce the arrival of their second child, a son named Cardinal Madden.
“He is awesome,” they share in a joint Instagram post, “and We are all so happy he is here!”
January 2025: 10 Year Anniversary Love
Months after the couple welcome their second child, Benji dedicates a tribute to Cameron on their reflects 10-year anniversary.
“This is my QUEEN,” he continued. “I celebrate this BAD ASS WOMAN. Wife, Mommy, friend, partner, Boss, and lover. We just hit 10 YEARS married on January 5th and every year only gets more fulfilling. It’s special. Never perfect—always real—always reliable. Every day getting to have my best friend with me ride or die. What a beautiful life. I am GRATEFUL!!!”
September 2025: Love and Casino Wins
The couple were all-smiles during their rare date night at Michael Rubin’s REFORM Alliance Casino Night in New Jersey.
