Stephen Colbert Talking About His Wife Evelyn Is the Best Thing You’ll Read All Day (Exclusive)

**Stephen Colbert Reflects on 32 Years with Wife Evelyn McGee Colbert in Exclusive Interview**

Celebrated late-night host Stephen Colbert has opened up about his deep affection for his wife, Evelyn McGee Colbert, in a recent cover interview with PEOPLE magazine. The couple, who have been married for over three decades, share three children and a bond that Colbert describes as unparalleled.

During the interview, Colbert, 62, expressed his disbelief at his good fortune in life, exclaiming, “Look how pretty she is!” He fondly reminisced about their shared hometown in South Carolina and recalled a moment from their youth that solidified his admiration for her. From his perspective, the idea that someone like Evelyn would choose to be with him still amazes him.

The couple’s romantic journey began in May 1990, with an instant connection that would evolve into a meaningful relationship. Colbert recounted a pivotal moment when, while pondering the end of another relationship, he spotted Evelyn during an event with his mother. “A little voice in my head said, ‘There’s your wife, you’re going to marry her,’” he stated during a recent appearance on the Today show.

Their relationship blossomed through handwritten letters before their first date on December 26, 1990, which Colbert recalls as “auspicious” due to its proximity to the Feast of Saint Stephen. The couple didn’t reunite until February, during which Colbert amusingly declared he had “given up Evie McGee for Lent,” not knowing they would become a lifelong partnership.

Engagement followed soon after, with Colbert proposing on December 22, 1992, thanks in part to the encouragement of a friend who advised him to pop the question before Christmas. “She’s going to want to show that ring on Christmas morning to everybody at church,” his friend insisted, a suggestion Colbert now fondly acknowledges.

The couple exchanged vows in October 1993 and have since welcomed three children into their family: Madeleine, 30, Peter, 28, and John, 24. Over the years, Evelyn has made several memorable appearances on The Late Show, often providing a humorous foil to Colbert’s on-screen persona. He shared, “Part of the joy for the audience is that she takes the piss out of me because she sure can.”

When asked about their occasional disagreements, Colbert joked about their typical quibbles, which often centre around mundane topics, like email communication. “Did you not read my email that I sent you? We’ve got to make some decisions,” he quipped. However, he reassured readers that they do not engage in serious fights, saying, “No, we don’t really have Donnybrooks.”

Reflecting on his relationship with Evelyn, Colbert stated, “She’s great company,” emphasising his admiration for her ability to bring joy into his life. He expressed a wish to be as good a companion to her as she is to him, recognising her unique charm.

As Colbert moves forward in his career, he expressed a deep appreciation for Evelyn’s laughter, citing it as his most valued response. “We laugh a lot. She’s the best laugh,” he noted, clearly cherishing the warmth and joy she brings to his life. “That’s the laugh I want to get more than anybody else. That’s the best.”

For a more in-depth look at Stephen Colbert and his reflections on family and success, be sure to check out the latest issue of PEOPLE magazine.