Margot Robbie is currently stepping into the tempestuous shoes of Catherine Earnshaw for Emerald Fennell’s highly anticipated adaptation of Wuthering Heights, but the actress is finding that her most profound emotional work is happening off-screen. As she prepares to portray the star-crossed lover of Jacob Elordi’s Heathcliff, Robbie has found herself reflecting on the volatile nature of youth—a time she describes as being defined by "wild" hormones and a lack of emotional armor. Now 35, the two-time Oscar nominee is navigating a vastly different landscape: one defined by the quiet stability of a decade-long partnership and the newfound joys of motherhood. Yet, as her professional star reaches its zenith, Robbie is making a conscious choice to pull back the curtain, choosing to keep the details of her growing family under lock and key.
The transition from the "ultimate single gal" to a Hollywood power player and mother has been a gradual evolution for the Australian star. Speaking recently about her preparation for the role of Cathy, Robbie noted how she tapped into her teenage self to find the "emotional depths" required for the classic Emily Brontë character. She recalled a time when she would be "ecstatic one second and devastated the next," a raw vulnerability that she says she eventually learned to protect. That protection has become the cornerstone of her private life, especially since she and her husband, Tom Ackerley, welcomed their first child, a son, in October 2024.
Robbie’s journey to this point of centeredness began thirteen years ago on the set of the World War II drama Suite Française. At the time, she was a rising star with a supporting role, while Ackerley was working as a third assistant director. What started as a professional acquaintance blossomed into a deep friendship that eventually transformed the trajectory of both their lives. Robbie famously told Vogue in 2016 that the very idea of relationships once made her "want to vomit," yet her feelings for Ackerley were undeniable. She admitted to being "always in love with him" but feared the feelings weren’t mutual, cautioning herself not to "make it weird" by confessing her attraction.
The turning point came when Robbie, Ackerley, and a group of close friends—including future business partners Josey McNamara and Sophia Kerr—decided to move into a three-bedroom house in London’s Clapham neighborhood. Living in such close quarters with five roommates, the romance between the actress and the assistant director became impossible to ignore. They initially kept their relationship a secret, Robbie later explained, because they weren’t sure if it was serious. When the truth finally came out, their roommates feared it would "ruin the group," but instead, it became the foundation of a production empire.
That empire, LuckyChap Entertainment, was born out of a late-night, slightly inebriated brainstorming session between the four friends. Since its inception, the company has been responsible for some of the most culturally significant films of the last decade, including I, Tonya, Promising Young Woman, and the record-shattering Barbie. For Robbie, the synergy between her personal and professional life is not a burden but a blessing. She has long advocated for doing business with a partner, noting that being married has made her life "way more fun" and inspired her to "be better."
Despite their massive success, the couple has maintained a "normie" sensibility that fans find endearing. Ackerley, in particular, has remained steadfastly behind the camera, unfazed by the glitz and glamour of the awards season "hoopla." Robbie has frequently praised his coolness and his culinary skills, noting that he is a "phenomenal cook" who can spend three days perfecting a fried rice recipe or a spaghetti bolognese. In contrast, Robbie jokingly recalls her own kitchen disasters, such as the time she nearly served undercooked pork to her British in-laws on Christmas, only to slap the raw meat out of Ackerley’s grandmother’s hand to save her from food poisoning.
The couple’s wedding in December 2016 was a testament to their preference for privacy. They tied the knot in a secret ceremony on the beach in Byron Bay, Australia, without ever publicly announcing an engagement. The world only learned of the nuptials when Robbie posted a cheeky photo on Instagram—one of her rare forays into social media—showing her flashing a pear-shaped diamond ring while kissing Ackerley. Even after the wedding, they continued to live with roommates for a time, with their friends eventually having to tell them that, as a married couple, they probably should find a place of their own.
However, Robbie’s aversion to solitude remains a defining trait. She has admitted to hating being alone, often filling her home with family and friends. This communal spirit extends to her travels; she once shared that her dream is to "live on a train," citing a romantic journey on the Orient Express and a trip through Japan as highlights of her life with Ackerley. This desire for connection makes her recent decision to guard her son’s privacy all the more significant.
The birth of their son followed a grueling but triumphant period for the couple. After years of development, their Barbie movie became a global phenomenon, grossing over $1.4 billion and sparking the "Barbenheimer" cultural moment. Robbie and Ackerley were instrumental in every step of the process, from pitching Mattel at their headquarters to navigating the complex marketing campaign. Ackerley’s pride in his wife’s work was evident throughout the film’s press tour, where he stayed by her side as she channeled various iterations of the iconic doll.
Now that the pink dust has settled, Robbie is focusing on her new role as a mother, but she is doing so on her own terms. She has chosen not to share her son’s name or details about his birth, a decision rooted in past experiences with the media. "I’ve just been burnt so many times," she told British Vogue in a December 2024 interview. She explained that her words have frequently been taken out of context, leading her to establish "new boundaries" as she moves into her mid-thirties. This shift represents a broader trend among high-profile celebrities who are increasingly seeking to decouple their professional personas from their roles as parents.
Robbie’s new perspective is one of hard-earned maturity. She acknowledges that in her twenties, she spoke more freely, but the transition into her thirties has brought a realization that she doesn’t owe the public every detail of her private world. While she briefly mentioned to Entertainment Tonight that motherhood is "the best," she is largely keeping the experience for herself and her inner circle.
As she prepares for the release of Wuthering Heights, Robbie remains a figure of immense fascination. Her ability to balance the high-stakes demands of a production company with the delicate nuances of a leading acting career—all while navigating the complexities of new motherhood—is a feat of modern celebrity. By keeping her family life private, she is not just protecting her son; she is reclaiming a sense of self that is often lost in the glare of the spotlight. For Margot Robbie, the "ultimate single gal" days may be long gone, but the "ultimate private power player" era is just beginning. Her story is no longer just about the roles she plays on screen, but the intentional, grounded life she is building behind the scenes with the "best-looking guy in London" by her side.
