Recently, the "old husband-young wife" couple of 74-year-old Zhang Yimou and 43-year-old Chen Ting has once again become a focal point of public discussion. Over the course of their 25-year marriage, their story has evolved from initial controversy to present-day stability, serving not only as a romantic tale in the entertainment circle but also sparking profound reflections among the public on love, age, and life. In 1999, 18-year-old Chen Ting met Zhang Yimou, a director 31 years her senior, during her audition for his film Happy Times. Although she didn't land the role, a romantic connection quietly blossomed between them. Despite facing societal scrutiny, family opposition, and career pressures, they resolutely chose to be together, embarking on a marital journey that transcended age differences.

近日，74岁的张艺谋与43岁的陈婷这对“老夫少妻”再次成为舆论焦点。25年的婚姻历程，从最初的争议到如今的稳定，他们的故事不仅是一段娱乐圈佳话，更引发了大众对爱情、年龄与生活的深刻思考。1999年，18岁的陈婷因试镜张艺谋电影《幸福时光》与这位大她31岁的导演结缘，尽管试镜未果，但两人的感情却悄然萌芽。面对社会眼光、家庭反对和事业压力，他们毅然选择走到一起，开启了这段跨越年龄的婚姻旅程。

Chen Ting's choice once astonished the outside world. She gave up her studies, withdrew from the entertainment industry, and even bore three children for Zhang Yimou without any official marital status. Over 13 years, she endured rumors and gossip, being accused of "being after money" or "lacking backbone," yet she never publicly defended herself. Instead, she silently managed her family life. In 2013, when the "having children beyond the family planning limit" incident came to light, their marriage was finally revealed. Zhang Yimou was fined 7.48 million yuan, and Chen Ting transitioned from being an "invisible woman" to the "wife of the renowned director." In response to public opinion, she candidly stated, "This is my own choice, and I don't consider it a sacrifice." She gradually built an image of an independent woman by pursuing a master's degree in psychology, participating in charitable activities, and attending the Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris.

陈婷的选择曾让外界惊讶不已。她放弃学业、退出娱乐圈，甚至在无名无分的情况下为张艺谋生下三个孩子。13年间，她承受着流言蜚语，被指责“图钱”或“没骨气”，但她从未公开辩解，而是默默经营着家庭。2013年，因“超生”事件曝光，这段婚姻才浮出水面，张艺谋被罚748万，陈婷也从“隐形人”变为“国师夫人”。面对舆论，她坦言：“这是我自己的选择，我不觉得是牺牲。”她通过攻读心理学硕士、参与公益活动、出席巴黎名媛舞会等方式，逐渐塑造起独立女性的形象。



Zhang Yimou has always maintained a low-key attitude toward marriage, never taking the initiative to make it public until it was exposed by media reports. Some criticized him for "shirking responsibility," yet the small detail of him crouching down to take photos of his wife Chen Ting in front of the camera revealed his thoughtful consideration for her. Now, at the age of 74, he seems more like an ordinary elderly man who cherishes the warmth of family. In turn, Chen Ting has responded to external doubts through her actions, saying, "He taught me how to find meaning in life amidst busyness, and I helped him feel the warmth of home." In this marriage, the two have supported and grown together, proving the power of love over the course of 25 years.

张艺谋对婚姻的态度始终低调，甚至在被爆料前从未主动公开。有人批评他“逃避责任”，但他在镜头前为陈婷蹲下拍照的细节，又透露出对妻子的用心。如今74岁的他，更像一个珍惜家庭温暖的普通老人。而陈婷则用行动回应外界质疑，她表示：“他教我怎么在忙碌里找到生活的意义，我让他感受到家的温暖。”这段婚姻中，两人相互支持，共同成长，用25年的时间证明了爱情的力量。

The marriage between Zhang Yimou and Chen Ting is not just a personal story but also a microcosm of changing social attitudes. Data shows that while marriages involving an older husband and a younger wife account for less than 10% in China, this proportion has been on the rise in recent years. Their choice has sparked widespread debate: some view it as true love, citing their 25 years of perseverance as proof; others question Chen Ting's "endurance" and Zhang Yimou's "selfishness." Now, with Zhang Yimou's declining health, Chen Ting faces the considerable pressure of caring for her husband while raising their three children. Nevertheless, she remains steadfast in her belief: "Marriage is not about trading youth for money; it’s about mutual support." As their story continues into the future, the true essence of love may lie precisely in this enduring commitment and selfless giving.

张艺谋与陈婷的婚姻，不仅是一段个人故事，更是社会观念变迁的缩影。数据显示，中国“老夫少妻”婚姻比例虽不足10%，但近年来呈上升趋势。他们的选择引发了广泛讨论：有人认为这是真爱，25年的坚持足以证明；也有人质疑陈婷的“忍”与张艺谋的“自私”。如今，张艺谋身体欠佳，陈婷既要照顾丈夫又要抚养三个孩子，压力不小。但她始终坚信：“婚姻不是青春换钱，而是互相支持。”面对未来，他们的故事仍在继续，而爱情的真谛，或许正藏在这份坚持与付出之中。