Why Chris Hemsworth's Wife Elsa Pataky Put Her Career On Hold

Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky have been together for a decade — or forever, in Hollywood speak. In December 2020, they celebrated their 10th year anniversary and shared tidbits of their relationship on social media, along with sweet messages to each other. "10 years together! Looking forward to the advancements of modern medicine and science and enjoying a couple hundred more!" Hemsworth wrote on Instagram. "Going through ten years of photographs was almost as fun as the real thing!" Pataky said in her post. "Here's to many more years of wonderful times, love you always and forever @chrishemsworth"

The couple may seem perfect, but it wasn't all rainbows and butterflies for them. "It's funny that people think of us as a perfect couple," Pataky told Australian magazine body+soul. "No way. It's been ups and downs, and we still keep working at the relationship. I think a relationship is constant work. It's not easy."

And indeed it isn't. The two have had to make sacrifices to make sure that their relationship works and they keep their growing family happy. In 2018, Hemsworth took an acting break to be more present at home. "This year I probably won't shoot anything. I just want to be at home now with my kids," Hemsworth told the Daily Telegraph, (via People). "They are at a very important age. They are still young and they are aware when I leave more than before." However, according to Hemsworth, his wife has had to make more sacrifices than him.

Before Elsa Pataky and Chris Hemsworth got hitched, she was a successful actress in Spain. She also had a promising Hollywood career, with a significant role in the "Fast & Furious" series as Elena Neves. But she had to put all of that on the back burner to support Hemsworth's thriving acting career and be the more active parent to their children.

"In terms of work, she's certainly given up more than I have," Hemsworth told Australian GQ. "She'd like me to step back and be at home with the kids more, and of course, I want that too. But I feel like I'm at this crucial point in my career – I've just got to set up for longevity or I'll slip off."

But Pataky was happy to make this decision, although she admitted how much she loved acting before raising a family. "Before we had a family I'd had a great life, I'd worked really hard, I did a lot of movies," she told Jones Magazine. "Then [after the children were born] I decided to focus on them and leave my career on the side, to just do little things here and there and try to be happy with that, even though it was my passion and I loved what I did." That was pretty big of her to make that sacrifice.

Even though Elsa Pataky's No. 1 priority at the moment is tending to her children, she can't help but sometimes feel envious of Chris Hemsworth's flourishing acting career. In the same Jones Magazine interview, she admitted that at times, it can be tough to see her partner doing what she was supposed to be doing.

"It was hard in some moments, because you see the person you love doing what you're so passionate about, you see them doing movies, and you wish you could too," Pataky revealed. "But because of my family I didn't want to shoot anywhere else and it was Chris' moment — I just let him know that he could do what he had to do and we'll follow."

But now, acting is back in the cards for Pataky. She is set to star in an upcoming Netflix series called "Interceptor," in which she will be playing a "sort of female John McClane [from 'Die Hard'], a cool, strong female role," as she told Jones Magazine. The Hollywood Reporter notes that Hemsworth will serve as executive producer, so you best believe that she has his 100% support.