Better Off Unwed: Couples Who Have Happily Kept A Ring Off Of It

Oprah Winfrey and Stedman Graham

Oprah has always been known by her first name only and adding Stedman’s last name to her stationery over the years hasn’t been a top priority. She’s forever the Queen of Daytime and he remains her steadfast King despite not having the official title. Besides, she’s Oprah. And he’s Mr. Harpo. A lot of us are too set in our ways to change how we address them but they’ve got enough money in between them not to care.

Aretha Franklin and William Wilkerson

The Queen of Soul had been making beautiful music with her partner William Wilkerson for almost as long as she’s been making hits. Last year, the marriage bug bit her and they got engaged. But the queen changed her mind. She said she still wasn’t sure. You’ve got to respect that, right?

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell

These two have been together longer than most of us have been alive. We’ve grown up on these two stars being together in every sense of the word except for having that piece of paper. They’ve raised kids, shared a home and have kept their eyes only for each other in Hollyweird. It sounds better than any scripted happy ending when they’re actually living the happily ever after. They leave the marrying to their grown kids. Kate is about to notch #2.

Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade

When these two met, the baller still hadn’t taken the ring off his wife’s finger. Gabby just gave an interview to JET and denied being a home wrecker and just last month, the two were coupled up on Essence magazine. They’ve both been divorced and neither wants to give it another try and give the haters even more to talk about.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt

The red carpet parts for Brangelina, Hollywood’s anointed royal couple. They’ve got six kids, two busy careers and endless tabloid covers to keep inquiring minds eating their popcorn but there’s no marriage license. They’ve got everything in their lives but matching platinum bands. That all changed on Friday the 13th!  The duo announced their engagement. It really must be 2012.

Malcolm Jamal Warner and Regina King

Theo and Brenda have been a match in 80’s TV Heaven for a good minute. As much as we want Bill Cosby to stand up at their wedding, these two kids aren’t rushing to make it legal just yet.

Maya Rudolph and Paul Thomas Anderson

The funny lady has been sharing laughs and a family with the director. They’ve got three kids and don’t seem to be in any rush to send out invites to a wedding. Although, if they did, Maya could be her own entertainment. She did a pretty good impersonation of Queen Bey on SNL.

LeBron James and Savannah Brinson

Technically, Bron did put a ring on the mother of his two children. But still, they’re not quite there yet. Everyone thought it wouldn’t happen but they’ve been holding each other down through decisions, backlash and headbands. We’re all going to be there when it actually does go down. They should even make a primetime special out of it. Maybe not.

Stephanie Guerilus is a journalist and author. She can be reached at @qsteph