Sep 08 2008
Famous Childfree Couple: The Captain and Tennille
http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/images/tbstar0577ct.jpg
Most people in my generation grew up listening to the music of Captain and Tennille, AKA Daryl Dragon and Toni Tennille. 1970’s music was the best music of my life, having listened to the likes of Boz Scaggs, Led Zeppelin, The Beach Boys, disco, and soul. But there was one thing that set apart Daryl and Toni from many other pop and rock singers of their time: this duo, while married, is also childfree. Married since 1975, the couple has been married for 33 years and is still going strong. Does being childfree enhance their relationship?
It would appear that it does. It can be a challenge for any celebrity to rear and raise a child. Many a celebrity has divorced shortly after the birth of a child or two, as Mr Scaggs did. (I still love his music).
But reading stories about the relationship that Daryl and Toni has warms my heart and in many ways, reminds me of my own relationship with my husband. Even though we both have careers, we have plenty of time for each other, especially since we work side by side, as Daryl and Toni do. The couple that works together stays together, as I always say. While my husband is more outgoing than I am, we work around each other’s minor interests.
A Tiger Beat Star 1977 issue mentions Daryl and Toni’s childfree status, long before the term childfree was coined. In this article, which can be found on the web at the link above at the beginning of the blog post, both were asked about their status, to be responded with the possibility of being an uncle and aunt to any nieces or nephews (both Daryl and Toni have siblings), which sounds very modern a la 2008, given the fact the article is 31 years old! While I am happy for their professional success, I feel even happier for their relationship success. Very few celebrities can boast long lasted first marriages these days. Daryl Dragon and Toni Tennille should be proud to be counted among those few, as well as being an inspiration for those who are seeking the childfree life. I guess “Muskrat Love” isn’t so bad after all.
