Matt Damon revealed that his wife Luciana Barroso had a brain aneurysm two years ago.
Damon revealed in a GQ cover story published Thursday that Barroso’s “terrible” medical emergency occurred a week before the 2024 Oscars, where his film “Oppenheimer” won seven awards, including Best Picture.
Damon, 56, said the couple missed the ceremony but attended the afterparty.
“It was the first night he felt well enough to get up and get his energy back,” the “Good Will Hunting” star said of his wife. “And she surprised me, bought me a dress, and we went to the after-party.”
Damon said Barroso forced himself to go to the after-party because he “remembered” that Barroso missed the 2007 Oscars, where “The Departed” won top honors, because he was busy filming “The Bourne Ultimatum.”
“He said, ‘We’re going out this time,’” Damon recalled. “And for him to do that was pretty heroic and really meaningful.”
Damon also confirmed that Barroso is now “completely fine.”
Earlier in the interview, Damon admitted that he was still disappointed about not being able to attend the 2007 Oscars and witness Martin Scorsese win Best Director for “The Departed.”
“I was living in Miami at the time and had a baby. Lucy and I were laying in bed watching him and we were so nervous for Marty,” Damon recalled. “Then when he won I was jumping up and down in the bedroom and I remember being really excited.”
When Damon watched the crime thriller win Best Picture at home, “He realized at that moment that I didn’t even think it could happen.
“And I turned to Lucy and said: ‘Et, we should be there!’”
Damon and Barroso have been married since 2005 and have four daughters: Alexia (27), Isabella (20), Gia (18) and Stella (16).
In the GQ chat, Damon revealed that his family “had a two-week rule” about him not going to work, but they made an exception for the “final stretch” of filming “The Odyssey.”
“I was away for three and a half weeks. The first half of the movie was the hardest because the kids were still in school,” he explained.
“And when summer comes, they can come to the set and we can be together.”
Damon said his wife and daughters are “huge Chris Nolan fans” and knew the lead role in the film was an “incredible” opportunity, so they were “really supportive” of him being away for so long.
“It was a sacrifice for them and they were great about it,” Damon noted.