The Story of Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen, Whose Love at First Sight Is Still Just as Strong, After More Than 20 Years

Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen are familiar to audiences not only as comedy actors but also as a strong Hollywood couple who’s been together for many years. Not much is known about their family life, as Isla mostly talks to reporters about motherhood, and Sacha hardly ever gives interviews on his own behalf.

Here at CHEERY, we’ve decided to find out more about the story behind their relationship, and what has kept these two soulmates together for so long — over 20 years!

Before he met Isla, British actor Sacha Baron Cohen was already a well-known comedian in his home country. His character Ali G made him particularly popular, thanks to which he became GQ’s Comedian of the Year in 1999. In the same year, Sacha won Best Newcomer at the British Comedy Awards.

Isla Fisher’s first screen appearance was at the age of 9, in an Australian TV commercial. She began acting at the age of 17 — first in a children’s show and then in a TV series. Thus, by the time she met her future husband, Fisher also had some fame in her home country — Australia.

Incidentally, at 18, Isla published two teen novels, Bewitched and Seduced by Fame. Years later the actress confessed, that if she hadn’t succeeded in film, she would probably have become a full-time writer.

Sacha and Isla met in 2001 at a party in Sydney and immediately hit it off. The actor said they were drawn together by a desire to make fun of other people at the party. As the future movie stars admitted, they fell in love at first sight. “I loved him right away. I mean I knew it was definitely love at first sight”, declared Fisher.

Three years later, Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen got engaged. The wedding took place in 2010, nine years after they met. The private ceremony was held secretly in Paris, with just six guests in attendance. And to hide the event from the paparazzi’s prying eyes, Baron Cohen even asked his father to pretend to be a famous chef celebrating his 70th birthday.

After the joyous event, Fisher sent out a letter to her friends, saying that it was the best day of her life and she thought of them and missed every one. But she and Sasha didn’t want any fuss, and just wanted it to be the two of them.

A few years before the event, Isla had said that weddings with long speeches and your aunt kissing you on the cheek are just not for her. So, even though the couple are always in plain sight, and it was very difficult to plan everything, they still managed to keep this beautiful ritual a secret.

The couple has three children. Their first daughter, Olive, was born before they were married, in 2007. Elula Lottie Miriam was born in 2010 and Brian Montgomery Moses in 2015.

As Isla admitted, she protects her children from the attention of reporters and rarely talks about them in her interviews. She attributes this to the fact that talking about her children or having them with her on the red carpet is not in line with her values. And protecting her family’s privacy is something she genuinely cares about.

The actress tries to shield her children from her work as well. While her husband may come home as Borat, or Ali G, Fisher is more cautious. Her children are only allowed to participate in the odd fun moments of her work, such as choosing a beautiful dress, hair, or make-up.

On rare occasions, Isla has talked about how happy she is to be married to Sacha: “Life is filled with highs and lows, and you have a best friend to share it with you. It’s amazing. It’s like winning the lottery, having a good partner.”

The actress is sure that Sasha abruptly changed the trajectory of her career. Isla says that she tried out for many dramatic roles, but had no success. And then her husband suggested she try comedy roles because she knows how to be funny.

As a result, Ayla managed to get a part in the comedy Wedding Crashers (2005) with Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson in the lead. This film was a breakthrough in Fisher’s acting career.

In 2016, the couple starred together in the action comedy The Brothers Grimsby. Isla revealed that it was the first time they had worked together. And since Sacha Baron Cohen is a perfectionist, and always makes sure the film has the best jokes, it was fun and very inspiring for her.

In December 2021, the couple celebrated the 20th anniversary of their relationship. Isla believes that a couple who has been in a relationship for two decades is a rarity in the fickle world of showbiz. “I think by Hollywood standards it’s probably 200 years!” she joked. “I feel like it’s a Golden Jubilee or something. Everyone was congratulating me”, said Fisher.

While promoting the animated film Back to the Outback (2021), Fisher revealed that she adores the sense of humor in her spouse. “I feel very grateful to have fallen in love with someone funny”, the actress said, adding that their home life “is definitely filled with laughter”.

What else, besides humor, can have a positive effect on a long and happy relationship in a family?