Many people today take their marriage vows for granted and no longer honor them. However, Gerald McRaney and Delta Burke have been married for over three decades.
Gerald McRaney knew he wanted to ask Delta Burke out as soon as they met. Despite many men vying for her attention, he was determined. He recalls thinking, “I wasn’t going to let her get away. I was already up against rivals. She was being asked out on dates by other people, and I intended to move in immediately.”
Feeling an instant connection, McRaney proposed on their second date. Although it took two years before they made things official, they finally married on May 28, 1989. McRaney was thrilled to have found the girl of his dreams, despite this being his third marriage and Burke’s first. Determined to make it last, he ignored friends who advised against the union. “Why not?” he said. “They are the only ones who can comprehend this madness. And she complies. No big deal if I call her at two in the morning while I’m on location. She is aware.”
Their shared experience in the entertainment industry allowed them to support and advise each other. They celebrated each other’s successes, such as when Burke supported McRaney during his Primetime Emmy nomination for “This Is Us.” McRaney trusts Burke’s feedback more than anyone else’s, valuing her opinion on his performances.
Their marriage faced significant challenges in 1998. Burke lost her grandmother, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she took a break from acting after a dispute with “Designing Women” producers. During her time on the show, viewers noticed her weight gain, which was due to hypoglycemia.
This condition eventually led to type 2 diabetes, exacerbated by ineffective management and various misdiagnoses. “I spent a lot of time on the road,” Burke recalls. “I felt weary. My physical well-being was off. Nobody could tell me what was wrong, but I knew something was amiss. I allegedly had Epstein-Barr. It had to be something else, I knew.” Eventually, a doctor confirmed she had diabetes.
At the time, Burke prioritized her mother’s care over her own health. Her doctor advised dietary changes to avoid insulin therapy. After a prolonged struggle, her mother recovered. Burke credits her husband for supporting her through this period, ensuring she took her medication and looking out for her. In 2004, McRaney also overcame lung cancer.
Today, Burke uses insulin and appreciates McRaney for administering her shots. “He adored me when I grew to be the size of a house,” she says. “He has been there for me in both my good and bad moments. He still believes my body is fantastic, but I can vouch it is not.” The couple leads an active lifestyle and looks after each other’s health, and Burke’s health has improved significantly.
Delta Burke currently has no plans to return to acting. Although McRaney expressed a desire to work with her again, he doubts she will resume her career. While McRaney does not plan to retire, they recently bought a home in central Florida and intend to move there soon. Though childless, they have devoted themselves to caring for McRaney’s three children from a previous marriage.
Gerald McRaney and Delta Burke have shown the world and Hollywood what it means to honor wedding vows. We wish them all the love and best for the future.
