It was a night of intense emotion when actress Rebecca Gibney was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 64th TV WEEK Logie Awards on August 18. The star was there with her 20-year-old son, Zachary, but what about her husband?
“To some, she’s an amazing actor,” Zachary told the assembled crowd. “To others, a great friend, a co-worker, a daughter, a sister and a wife.”
But what do we know about Gibney’s other half?
While Gibney is a household name in Australia, less is known about her husband Richard Bell, whom she lives with in New Zealand.
Here’s what we know about Rebecca Gibney’s family life, including her husband of 23 years.
Is Rebecca Gibney married?
Rebecca Gibney has been married to New Zealand production designer Richard Bell since 2001.
In 2021, on the occasion of their 20th wedding anniversary, the normally private actress shared a heartfelt message about her husband on Instagram.
Sharing pictures from her wedding day, she wrote: “20 years ago today this happened. What a magical, wonderful day it was. I am the luckiest because you. big R, are all the things. Happy anniversary, my love.”
In her Hall of Fame acceptance speech, Gibney thanked Bell for being her favourite sounding board.
“Thank you for always asking the question every time a job comes up, ‘Will it make you happy? Will it bring you joy?’,” she said.
How did Rebecca Gibney meet her husband?
During her Hall of Fame acceptance speech, Gibney actually revealed how she first met Bell – on the set of long-running TV series Halifax f.p, where she played Dr Jane Halifax.
She was 35 at the time, and after the breakdown of three-year marriage to Southern Sons frontman Jack Jones in 1995, Gibney wasn’t really thinking about wedding bells when she met Bell.
“I had dealt with my past and in walks this beautiful, tall New Zealander who happened to live on the same street as me when I was five,” she told The Sydney Morning Herald in 2017.
“We met in 1999, got together in 2000 and married in 2001 and have been happy ever since.”
What has Rebecca Gibney said about her husband?
In the same interview Gibney described Bell as her “rock” and “best friend”, saying the key to their relationship was respect.
“You must respect each other. It’s having complete and utter respect above all else, and obviously love and being willing to compromise.”
During her Hall of Fame acceptance speech, Gibney said her husband had often sacrificed his own work so she could pursue her own career opportunities.
“You have been my rock and my love for nearly a quarter of a century and I’m so grateful for that,” she said.
A day before her husband’s 60th birthday in November 2023, Gibney wrote: “No other words needed really other than to say happy 60th to my best friend, my rock, my everything. Can’t wait to celebrate with you big R and looking forward to our newest adventure. You are so loved.”
Does Rebecca Gibney have children?
Rebecca Gibney and Richard Bell have one son. Zachary Edison Bell, who is commonly referred to as Zac.
He was born on April 7, 2004, and the 20-year-old is currently hoping to follow in his mum’s footsteps by pursuing a career in acting.
Gibney told Now To Love in 2023 that she and Bell hadn’t always planned to have children.
“When I met Richard, we were both in our 30s and we actually said in the beginning that we weren’t going to have children because we were very content with each other,” the Packed to the Rafters star said.
“We had dogs, we moved to Tasmania and were just very happy living on our little farm.
“So when Zac came along it was great. It was awesome and we’ve had this amazing time with him.”
In his speech inducting his mum into the Hall of Fame, Zac said: “So many people love Rebecca Gibney the actor. I will always love her as the kindest, most loving mum anyone could ask for.”
