Woody Allen Breaks Silence on His Marriage to Soon-Yi Previn

After two decades of marriage, Woody Allen has kept his relationship with Soon-Yi Previn largely under wraps. But recent comments from the famed director have brought their controversial union back into the spotlight. During a rare interview with the Wall Street Journal in anticipation of his upcoming book, *What’s with Baum?*, Allen heaped praise on his wife, describing her as "disciplined," "decisive," and "a wonderful mother" with a "larger-than-life personality."

A Surprising and Unconventional Love Story

Reflecting on their unexpected connection, Allen remarked, "If anyone had told me years ago that I would be married to a girl much younger than me, an orphan from Korea with no ties to New York, I would have said, ‘No chance!’ I envisioned a life with a New York actress, but that wasn't in the cards."

The Backstory: From Adoption to Affection

To understand the depth of their relationship, it's essential to look back at the roots of it all. Soon-Yi was adopted from Seoul, South Korea by actress Mia Farrow in 1977. When Farrow began dating Allen in 1979, it sparked tensions that would dramatically unfold years later. Previn, at just ten years old when she met Allen, openly disliked him, absorbed by the perception of him as a ‘nasty, mean person’ who was with her mother.

A Scandal That Shook the Entertainment World

The turning point came in January 1992 when Farrow discovered nude photos of Previn in Allen’s home. This shocking revelation led to a public statement from Allen declaring his love for Soon-Yi, which turned into a media frenzy. During an interview with *Time*, he emphasized, "I am not Soon-Yi’s father or stepfather. I’ve never lived with Mia, and I wasn’t a father figure to her adopted children."

Soon-Yi’s Perspective: A Complicated Family Dynamic

Soon-Yi herself echoed these sentiments, asserting that to claim Woody was a father or stepfather to her was "laughable." Growing up, she felt no familial bond with him, stating her true parents were André Previn and Mia Farrow, despite their not being her biological parents.

From Paternal to Partner: Evolving Dynamics in Their Relationship

In later interviews, including a notable one with *Vanity Fair*, Allen acknowledged there was once a "paternal" feeling in their relationship, but he also highlighted how they found happiness in each other. He described their connection as fortunate, calling it one of the best things that happened in his life. A decade later, he reiterated this point during an NPR interview, cherishing Soon-Yi’s youth and energy and labeling their relationship as "paternal" once again.

A Lasting Commitment

Allen and Previn tied the knot in 1997, and since then, they have embraced family life, adopting two daughters together. Their unconventional love story continues to raise eyebrows and spark curiosity, but for them, it seems to be about finding happiness despite the odds.