Inside The Diplomat's Rufus Sewell's age-gap marriage to fiery famous wife 29 years his junior

Rufus Sewell is currently captivating audiences in the hit political thriller, The Diplomat, but away from the high-stakes world of international diplomacy, the actor lives a low-key life with his wife, Vivian Benitez.

The couple share an almost three-decade age gap but manage to effortlessly brush off public scrutiny with style. 

Here's what we know about the woman who stole Rufus' heart. 

Who is Rufus' much younger wife?

Vivian is widely recognized as Rufus' sharp-witted partner, but that's not to say she hasn't carved out a successful career in the entertainment and fashion world.

She was born in New York City, and got her start when she was discovered at the age of 16. While she began modeling, she went on to become Wilhelmina Models L.A.'s youngest model scout.

The Cuban-American star then turned her hand to acting, Vivian made her feature film debut alongside John Cusack and Nicolas Cage in the action-thriller Arsenal. 

She landed a guest-starring role on the hit crime drama Criminal Minds and led the 2018 E! Snapchat digital reality series Vivian, which chronicled her life, career, and adventures in Los Angeles. 

They had a whirlwind engagement

Rufus, 58, and Vivian officially announced their engagement in December 2023 after several years together. They sealed the proposal with a stunning ring during a romantic trip to Rome. 

Shortly after sharing the news, Vivian celebrated her birthday and took the opportunity to clap back at public chatter surrounding their 29-year age difference.

Alongside a radiant photo on Instagram the day after announcing their news, Vivian cheekily wrote: "Please pass on to anyone worried about our age difference, that it’s ok now—i turned 27 this morning."

The tongue-in-cheek post set the tone for how the couple confidently navigates the spotlight.

They tied the knot at a castle in Wales in July 2024.

She loves to shut down critics

While the pair have received plenty of support from friends and fans, they've had to navigate some negativity too. When critics tried to label Rufus as her "sugar daddy," Vivian was quick to hit back.

She addressed the tired stereotype directly and quipped: "Right, because a woman being with an older man cant possibly be a personal choice instead of a financial one? i got my own bag thank u for the concern."

It's not always domestic bliss

Vivian's lighthearted wit extends to Rufus!

When they celebrated their one-year anniversary, she gave fans a remarkably candid glimpse inside their domestic world.

"1 year ago today!!!!! time flies when you’re fighting about outside shoes on the bathmat and metal utensils on non-stick pans (ok that one is me)," she wrote, before sharing a tribute to the British actor. "He's funny, patient, curious and kind. he's the best thing about me and i'm so lucky to have found him in that nursing home."

Third time's a charm for Rufus

It is a joyful new chapter for Vivian and Rufus who is no stranger to a walk down the aisle. 

He was briefly married to Australian fashion journalist, Yasmin Abdallah, in 1999 but the marriage ended after a year. 

Rufus' second 'I Do' was to script writer and producer, Amy Gardner, in 2004. The former couple share a son, William, who was born in 2002, four years before their 2006 divorce. 

He is also a father to his daughter, Lola, who he welcomed in 2013 with organic food developer, Amy Komai.