Elizabeth Hurley and Hugh Grant met while making a film in 1987, became one of Britain’s most visible celebrity couples, and separated in 2000 after about 13 years together. Their story is best understood through its public milestones—and through the difference between the couple’s first announcement and Hurley’s later explanation of why she ended the relationship.
How Elizabeth Hurley and Hugh Grant met
The Irish Times reported in 2000 that Hurley and Grant met on a film set in 1987. A later Us Weekly retrospective identifies the film as the Spanish production Remando al Viento, released in English as Rowing with the Wind (Us Weekly’s relationship timeline).
![My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3-Movie Collection [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51NhlknWiNL._SL160_.jpg)
![Meryl Streep 8-Movie Collection [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Vp4EQKxOL._SL160_.jpg)
![Rock Hudson Comedy Collection [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51QMZNm2UqL._SL160_.jpg)
They were together for roughly 13 years. Their relationship unfolded partly in private, but Grant’s rising profile and their appearances together made them a familiar public couple.
The 1994 premiere that made them a public fixture
Hurley and Grant attended the London premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral in 1994. The Guardian later described the event as the moment the couple were catapulted into the limelight; the Irish Times noted the sensation created by Hurley’s Versace dress. The dress and the couple’s appearance became a defining image of their public story (The Guardian’s May 2000 report; The Irish Times’ 2000 report).
#1 Best Overall
- 4 FILM FAVORITES: ROMANTIC COMEDY (DVD MOVIE)
The 1995 arrest and its aftermath
In June 1995, Grant was arrested in Los Angeles in connection with a sex act with Divine Brown. Contemporary Guardian reporting said Hurley described her reaction as feeling “like she’d been shot.” It also reported that the couple stayed together afterward, while noting that the episode changed the relationship’s dynamic (The Guardian’s report).
The arrest was a major public crisis, but the available accounts do not establish it as the sole cause of their separation five years later. Hurley’s own explanation in 2000 focused on their unhappiness and on not wanting marriage and a family together.
Why did Elizabeth Hurley and Hugh Grant split?
The first public account came in May 2000. Their spokeswoman described the separation as “a temporary thing, a mutual and amicable decision,” and said they would continue running Simian Films. Contemporary coverage noted they had been together for 13 years (The Guardian’s May announcement coverage; The Irish Times’ report).
In June, Hurley gave a more personal account to the Guardian. She said she had initiated the breakup and explained: “I think we’ve both been unhappy for some time.” She also said, “Ultimately we realised that there had to be something lacking, because after 13 years together we still didn’t really want to get married and start a family.” Those remarks are Hurley’s account of their reasons, not a jointly stated explanation (The Guardian’s June 2000 interview report).
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #3
The May statement framed the split as temporary, mutual, and amicable; Hurley’s June comments made clear she doubted they would reunite and emphasized that she had made the decision. The accounts reflect different moments and emphases, rather than one settled public explanation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Did they remain friends?
Later coverage described a continuing friendship, but those reports should be read as snapshots from their publication dates. A 2016 Hello! profile called them best friends and said they were godparents to each other’s children (Hello!’s 2016 profile). A later Us Weekly retrospective also recounts public remarks by both about their friendship (Us Weekly’s retrospective).
These accounts support the description of a friendship after the breakup at the times covered. They do not establish how often the pair communicate today or provide a current account of their private relationship.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
