Get the latest gossip

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden: A Timeline of Their 17-Year Romance

ET is taking a look back at the couple's nearly two-decade-long relationship.

Earlier this month, the happy couple hit the red carpet at the premiere of Nicole's film, Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead, at The Grove in Los Angeles, and were joined in a rare public appearance by their teenage children -- daughter Harlow, 16, and son Sparrow, 14. ANDREAS BRANCH/Patrick McMullan via Getty ImagesEvidently, the persistence paid off for Joel, because the couple were soon romantically linked after being spotted spending time together at the Roosevelt Hotel bar in Hollywood in late 2006. Speaking with Us Weekly, just a few months shy of her 9th anniversary with Joel, Nicole reflected on the key to their successful romance, and explained that it largely had to do with the fact that they both just enjoyed each other's company, and that they "love to laugh and have fun."

Get the Android app