Jill Goodacre: Inside Harry Connick Jr.'s 30-Year Marriage, Health Battle, And Victoria's Secret Past

Few couples in Hollywood embody enduring love and resilience quite like Harry Connick Jr. and his wife, Jill Goodacre. As of this writing in December 2025, the couple has celebrated over three decades of marriage, a remarkable milestone built on a foundation of profound respect and unwavering support, particularly through one of the most challenging periods of their lives: Jill’s secret five-year battle with breast cancer. The couple, who first met in 1990, continue to share their story, offering a powerful message of commitment and hope to their fans worldwide.

The former Victoria’s Secret supermodel and the multi-talented musician recently marked their 30th wedding anniversary, a testament to a relationship that Harry Connick Jr. frequently describes as the most important part of his life. Their enduring romance and the family they have built, including their three daughters, have become a beacon of stability in the often-turbulent world of entertainment.

Jill Goodacre Connick: Biography and Career Profile

Jill Goodacre Connick is far more than just "Harry Connick Jr.'s wife"; she is a former supermodel, actress, and a powerful advocate for breast cancer awareness. Her career defined the look of the late 1980s and early 1990s, making her a household name long before her marriage to the New Orleans jazz crooner.

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• Full Name: Jill Goodacre Connick
• Date of Birth: March 29, 1964
• Place of Birth: Lubbock, Texas, U.S.
• Parents: Her mother was the renowned American sculptor, Glenna Goodacre, who created the Vietnam Women's Memorial in Washington, D.C.
• Career Peak: She rose to international fame as one of the original and primary models for Victoria’s Secret in the 1980s and early 1990s.
• Acting Roles: Goodacre had a memorable guest appearance as herself on the hit sitcom Friends in the 1995 episode "The One with the Blackout," where she gets trapped in an ATM vestibule with Matthew Perry's character, Chandler Bing.
• Marriage Date: April 16, 1994
• Spouse: Harry Connick Jr.
• Children: Three daughters: Georgia, Kate, and Charlotte.

The Secret to 30 Years of Marriage: Love, Respect, and Laughter

Harry Connick Jr. and Jill Goodacre celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary in April 2024, a milestone that underscores their commitment to one another. Their relationship began in 1990 when they met at a hotel in Los Angeles, and they dated for two years before an engagement that also lasted two years.

When asked about the secret to their long-lasting marriage, Connick Jr. often offers a surprisingly simple philosophy: there are no specific "rules." Instead, he emphasizes the foundational elements of their bond.

“In my experience, love and respect are paramount, and that's what my relationship with Jill is predicated upon,” Connick Jr. explained in a recent interview. He also attributes the longevity to a continuous sense of fascination, stating, "Jill's my best friend and I've known her now for 27 years. And for me, it's all about my maintaining interest in her. I mean, she's fascinating to me."

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This enduring interest and respect is what allowed them to weather the storm of Jill’s serious health crisis, which they chose to keep private for many years.

Jill Goodacre's Courageous Health Battle and Life Today

The most profound chapter in the couple's life story is Jill Goodacre's courageous battle with breast cancer. In October 2012, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Jill was diagnosed with Stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma. The diagnosis came after a routine mammogram and a follow-up sonogram due to her having dense breasts.

The couple made the decision to keep the diagnosis and subsequent treatment a secret from the public for five years. This period involved a lumpectomy, radiation, and a long course of medication, which caused significant physical and emotional side effects. Harry Connick Jr. was a pillar of support throughout the entire ordeal, which he later described as the "hardest days" of their lives.

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The couple finally revealed her cancer journey in 2017, five years after her initial diagnosis, once Jill felt she was "well on the other side" of the experience. The reason for the secrecy was simple: they wanted to deal with the crisis privately, and Jill did not want to be defined by her illness.

Today, over a decade since her diagnosis, Jill Goodacre is living a life focused on health and family. Her public revelation has since turned her into an influential voice, encouraging women to be diligent about their health and to advocate for themselves during medical screenings. Her resilience in the face of Stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma is a powerful example of survivorship.

The Connick Family: A Legacy of Support and Resilience

The Connick family unit—Harry, Jill, and their three daughters, Georgia, Kate, and Charlotte—is incredibly close. The daughters were a crucial source of support during their mother's illness, despite the emotional toll the secret took on them.

All three daughters have grown up and pursued their own interests:

• Georgia Connick: The eldest, Georgia, is a filmmaker and photographer.
• Kate Connick: Kate has pursued a career in journalism and media.
• Charlotte Connick: The youngest, Charlotte, is also following a creative path.

Connick Jr. has often spoken about the importance of teaching his girls the same values that sustain his marriage: love and respect. The family frequently appears together at events, and Harry often shares sweet throwback photos and tributes to his wife and daughters on social media, reinforcing their image as a tight-knit and supportive clan.

From the glamour of the Victoria's Secret runway to the quiet strength required to overcome a life-threatening illness, Jill Goodacre has proven to be a woman of substance and grace. Her partnership with Harry Connick Jr., now spanning over 30 years, remains one of the most inspiring and resilient marriages in the public eye, proving that true love is built to last through every challenge.