Mike Tindall opens up on ‘difficult’ moments in relationship with wife Zara
The couple married in 2011.
The couple met in 2003 (Image: Getty)
Mike Tindall has spoken about the “difficult” moments between him and his wife, Zara Tindall. The couple have been married for 15 years, and Mike has revealed how they solve any confrontations they may have.
The former England rugby star told the Talk Horse podcast: “I think it all depends on the scenario. I think it’s very easy when it’s about sport, or when it’s about the animals and the kids, but obviously other nuances become more difficult. I think neither of us necessarily chase out confrontation until it happens. That’s sometimes not the best way of doing it. But then when it happens, I think we’re probably pretty good at actually talking about it.”
Mike added: “You’ve just got to try and muddle your way through. It’s never easy, is it?” He reflected on knowing when it is the right time to speak, or when to stay quiet.
The pair married in 2011 (Image: Getty)
He said that sometimes “you just want to annoy someone, just for the sake of it”. The rugby star confessed: “I probably do that a bit too much.” Also talking on the podcast, Zara said: “I think we enjoy the same things, even if we don’t agree on some things.”
Both Mike and Zara were professional athletes, which Mike says has helped their marriage work. He said: “We’ve been very lucky. Obviously, I’m very lucky. She’s not so lucky – but sort of lucky. I think it’s worked all the way through because we’ve both been doing professional sport and we both understand each other’s individual needs.”
The couple met at the Rugby World Cup in 2003 – with Mike playing for the winning team at the time. Zara won an Olympic silver medal at London 2012, in the equestrian eventing with her team-mates Tina Cook, William Fox-Pitt, Mary King and Nicola Wilson, reports Daily Mail.
Talking about raising their children while still competing, Mike said: “You forget sometimes life is hard when kids come along, and you try to still compete. Fortunately, when Mia came along, that was my last year, so I haven’t been a professional athlete whilst the kids have been around.”
Mike said he acknowledged that Zara faced balancing motherhood with sports. He said: “You’ve got to try and play a support role at the same time because mums do have mother’s guilt. It’s a thing. And it can be really hard at times. I won’t say I get it right all the time, but you’ve got to try and do it in whatever ways you can.
Zara Tindal at the Olympics (Image: Getty)
