“A man is a prince until he has children, then he becomes a king” Matthew McConaughey opens up about parenting to Bear Grylls
The actor joins Bear Grylls to discuss the reality of his 13-year marriage and why he believes being a father is the most significant work a man can do.
Becoming a father often changes how a man sees his role in life. There’s a common belief that before having children, a man’s focus is mostly on his own goals and dreams. But when a child arrives, his priorities often change from personal goals to raising his children and ensuring they carry on his values and legacy. Matthew McConaughey recently expressed his thoughts, saying that before having kids, a man is like a prince, but once he has children, he becomes a king.
The series “Bear Grylls Is Running Wild” premiered on April 21 and features McConaughey in the first episode. In this show, Bear Grylls, known for his adventurous spirit, takes a different celebrity guest each week into the wilderness. The guests, including McConaughey, Uma Thurman, and Colman Domingo, are pushed out of their comfort zones to face their fears and achieve personal growth.
What Matthew McConaughey said about fatherhood
In a conversation during the first episode, Grylls asked Matthew McConaughey about his marriage and the lessons he’s learned over the 13 years he’s been with his wife, Camila Alves. McConaughey, who has three kids, spoke openly about the challenges of parenting and how it can sometimes make it harder to focus on their relationship. He explained how parents often get so caught up in the daily routine of raising children that they may forget to pay attention to each other. “Sometimes we get down to track where it’s so much about the kids, and we look up and go, Oh, hey, how are you doing?”
He also shared some advice he received years ago, explaining that the best way to guide your children is by how you treat their mother. Bear Grylls said his own grandfather summed up parenting in just three words: “example, example, example.”
McConaughey talked about how becoming a parent changes a man’s role. “I think a man’s a prince until he has children, then he becomes a king. I don’t think there’s anything more important that a man can do”, he said. He sees children as a way to live on, passing down values that will continue to influence the world long after he’s gone. He emphasized that being a good dad is the greatest accomplishment a man can achieve.
He has expressed similar thoughts in other interviews, recently emphasizing in a podcast with Jay Shetty that being a good parent is really about spending quality time with your children. You can’t just pretend to be involved; you need to genuinely be present for them.
How healthy masculinity strengthens a family
Many people still think of masculinity as being associated with control, dominance, or being emotionally distant. This narrow view can lead to stereotypes that don’t really reflect what it means to be a man. In reality, healthy masculinity includes qualities like being dependable, responsible, and caring towards others, such as your wife and children.
In a family, fathers play an important role that can greatly influence how others feel. When a father is present and involved, everybody around him feels secure and safe. Kids watch how their dads act during tough times, how they treat their mother, and how they take on responsibilities. These observations teach children valuable lessons, shaping what they expect from their future relationships.
Moreover, a father who practices healthy masculinity sets a strong example for his children. He shows them how important it is to communicate openly, be emotionally aware, and show respect to others. This approach not only strengthens family bonds but also helps kids learn essential life skills. By displaying qualities such as empathy and vulnerability alongside strength, he offers a balanced view of what it means to be a man.
In the end, healthy masculinity can help create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. This allows family members, especially children, to grow and thrive, passing down a legacy of love and respect through future generations.
