Self-made real estate millionaire and Shark Tank judge Barbara Corcoran advocates for separate sleeping arrangements within her marriage as a key component to sustaining happiness. Corcoran, the founder of the renowned real estate firm, the Corcoran Group, tied the knot with her husband, Bill Higgins, an ex-FBI agent and retired Navy captain, in 1988. Throughout their marriage, they have maintained separate bedrooms, a practice Corcoran attributes to maintaining personal space and privacy within the relationship.
In a recent interview on the Today Show, Corcoran disclosed, “I’ve had a separate bedroom with Bill for like 40 years. I think there’s something to be said about your own private space.” She emphasized the importance of respecting each other’s privacy and seeking permission before entering each other’s personal quarters, highlighting a mutual understanding that has strengthened their bond over the years.
The trend of couples opting for separate sleeping quarters is gaining traction in modern times, coinciding with a shift away from the conventional nuclear family structure and a decline in marriage rates. A report by the New York Times in May revealed that one in five couples now choose to sleep in separate bedrooms, often driven by factors such as disruptive snoring or conflicting schedules. This shift has led to interior designers increasingly incorporating separate sleeping spaces into home designs to accommodate the evolving preferences of contemporary couples.
Noteworthy personalities like actress Cameron Diaz and television host Carson Daly also subscribe to the concept of individual sleeping spaces, a practice sometimes referred to as “sleep divorce” by experts. While some marriage counselors express concerns about the potential impact of separate bedrooms on intimacy levels within relationships, a survey conducted by mattress company Naturepedic involving 800 individuals indicated that 59% of respondents practicing “sleep divorce” reported feeling less stressed compared to sharing a bedroom.
Independence has been a recurring theme in Corcoran’s journey to success, as she attributes a healthy sense of self-sufficiency as crucial to her achievements. Prior to her marriage to Higgins, Corcoran faced adversity when her former business partner and romantic partner chose to leave her for his secretary. However, the setback propelled her to establish her own thriving firm, the Corcoran Group, a move she believes she may not have ventured into had it not been for that pivotal moment.
Reflecting on her experiences, Corcoran shared, “I started the Corcoran Group—without that departure I never would have started the Corcoran Group. So bad things happened, but I learned the business in seven years solid before I had a go out on my own.” She also offers valuable insights for achieving success in the business realm, advocating for leveraging personal strengths, resilience in the face of rejection, and a willingness to embrace new challenges.
In a society witnessing a shift towards more personalized approaches to relationships and living arrangements, the tale of Barbara Corcoran and her husband’s preference for separate sleeping spaces stands as a testament to the evolving dynamics within modern marriages. As individuals navigate the complexities.
