ELSA PATAKY on why there’s no place like home with husband Chris Hemsworth and their family
She’s back at the home she shares with husband Chris Hemsworth and their three children, and it’s clear Spanish model turned actress Elsa Pataky couldn’t be happier.
“The children were longing to revert to being barefoot savages,” she tells hello!’ s sister title
¡hola! in this exclusive interview from her idyllic retreat in Australia’s Byron Bay.
Elsa has returned to her “little slice of paradise” after filming the action drama Interceptor in Sydney, where she was joined by Chris, who was shooting Thor: Love and Thunder in the city, and their children India, nine, and seven-year-old twins Sasha and Tristan.
“This is where we belong, where my children have grown up,” she says.
And there was more cause to celebrate as they returned home just in time for Elsa’s 45th birthday.
“In terms of maturity, it’s a great age because you know about life and accept it instead of struggling with things you can’t change,” says the star. “But you do have to accept the wrinkles that keep appearing.”
There is also another milestone on its way: in December, it will be the couple’s tenth wedding anniversary, which Elsa tells us about while modelling the summer range from Gioseppo, the fun and colourful shoe brand she fronts. How are things, Elsa? When did you finish shooting Interceptor?
“Two weeks ago, after spending eight months on it.
“I’m pleased I was able to do an all- out action movie, playing a tough, strong woman. She’s a soldier in the US army, and to play her I had to build muscle mass and take my usual training regime to a new level.
“It was a real challenge because I was also learning all the fight routines and doing all the scenes I could myself rather than using a double. I feel proud of myself.” Chris knows all about building muscle for his film roles. Did he help you?
“Yes, he gives good tips, especially about nutrition.
“He was shooting the latest Thor movie while I was doing Interceptor, so we took turns training and looking after the kids.” Are you keeping up that fitness routine now?
“I’ve gone back to a more relaxed one – meditation, yoga, a bit of Pilates and some gym workouts, but with smaller weights. I’d been lifting up to double my own body
weight. By the end of the day, you’re worn out.” Was it difficult for the family to adapt to life in Sydney?
“Honestly, yes, especially for the children. It was a bigger shock for them, with all the traffic.
“In the end, they got used to being there and loved it. It was an experience for them.” Of course, you grew up in Madrid, so you’re used to cities…
“I definitely couldn’t live in one again. It’s not for me.” What do your children enjoy doing?
“India likes riding, like me. She has a pony and it’s almost frightening to watch her practising jumping. We both compete in little showjumping competitions. She’s really competitive.
“One of the boys likes to surf with his dad, but we all ride together. I think it’s important to have a sport the whole family do.” Chris has travelled a lot for work over the past few years. Has this time together allowed you to get to know each other better?
“I don’t believe you ever stop getting to know each other. It’s true that when you live together you have to get used to a lot of things about each other and respect them, but we’ve always got on well.
“Living together i s ver y important for a couple. For us, it’s actually made things easier.” Do you still find it amusing that people call you the perfect couple?
“I don’t think there’s really any such thing as a perfect couple! Chris and I are very different, but as I said, we’ve always got on very well. We’ve had ten years of marriage and I hope there’ll be many more.
“You’ve got to nurture your relationship. When you have children, you often forget to devote time to each other, to enjoy those moments or to share your worries. We try to do as much of that as we can. The important thing is that we have each other.” And you still have lots of fun together?
“Yes, we enjoy doing the same stuff and Chris has a great sense of humour and knows how to take the sting out of things. He always makes me and the kids laugh, or, when I’m angry, he tells a joke to lighten the mood. Humour counts for a lot. More than anything, I enjoy laughing with him.”
‘When you have children, you often forget to devote time to each other, to enjoy moments or share your worries. Chris and I try to do as much of that as we can’