Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander have been together for almost 10 years, dating back to their first film together in 2014, The Light Between Oceans. They got engaged in just a few years and then got married. They have since welcomed two children.
Here’s the complete timeline of Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander’s relationship:
2013
The two first met while filming 2014’s The Light Between Oceans. In period romances, the two were cast as a couple, but life imitates art. Their on-screen chemistry was soon reflected off-screen as well.
“We met at that job and we’ve been seeing each other ever since,” Fassbender told Good Morning America in 2016. “She’s such an intense performer, so brave, and not afraid to bring ugly personality traits to the forefront in her roles. I was really impressed with her right away.”
The pair spoke to Entertainment Weekly in 2016 about that time and why they kept so much of their relationship private.
“This wasn’t the first time either of us played characters who fell in love in a movie,” Fassbender said. “There’s an element of separation there.”
Vikander added, “And I think we made a clear statement that we would keep certain things just between us. It was very easy to come together, but it’s very personal.”
September 2016
While attending the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival, Vikander told USA Today that she was first drawn to Fassbender when she saw him dancing.
“We had a blast,” she joked. “He’s a very good dancer.”
“I felt like I couldn’t dance,” Fassbender interjected. “I thought I was pretty good, but she was there with her friends and she was just jiving here and there. I thought, ‘Oh my god, I feel like I have two left feet.'” Then I left defeated. ”
October 2016
While promoting The Light Between Oceans at the Venice Film Festival, Vikander spoke about finding out he would be working with Fassbender and getting to know him.
“I knew Michael was excited to play Tom, and I think he’s one of the greatest actors,” Vikander said. “I was preparing for the match and was very nervous. … Michael’s support in those scenes was a big part of giving me the courage to give my all, which was necessary for the role of Isabel.”
Fassbender said, “I was kind of scared when Alicia came. She was so fierce and hungry. And it’s always great to see lesser-known actors get opportunities. I really felt like I had to pull myself together and just be there and be as present as she is.”
January 2016
In an interview with E! At the 2016 Palm Springs International Film Festival, Vikander spoke about celebrating New Year’s Eve with Fassbender.
“It wasn’t a very, very slow night because I had to fly here, but we grilled, cooked pasta, made a delicious dinner and watched fireworks,” she said. “We counted down to midnight. It was awesome!”
On January 10, they made their debut as a couple at the 73rd Golden Globe Awards. Vikander was nominated for Best Actress for The Danish Girl and Fassbender was nominated for Best Actor for Steve Jobs.
Although the two did not walk the red carpet, they sat together, and at one point Fassbender told reporters he was “so proud” of Vikander.
February 2016
In 2016, Vikander won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for The Danish Girl. Before accepting the award, she kissed Fassbender.
August 2016
The couple appeared at the premiere of The Light Between Oceans at the Venice Film Festival.
October 2017
The couple wed in 2017 at the La Granja farm resort in Ibiza with family and friends in attendance. Vikander told Marie Claire about her surprise bachelorette party in France in 2018.
“I was in[Paris]for the Louis Vuitton show and all of a sudden I got an email saying, ‘Get out. We need you right now.’ They kidnapped me for 24 hours!” Vikander laughed.
They then headed to Italy for their honeymoon.
February 2018
In a 2018 interview with Vogue, Vikander talked about how things have changed since getting married.
“I feel much happier and more content than I ever have,” she said.
She also gushed about Fassbender’s performance, saying, “I think he’s one of the best actors I’ve ever worked with,” adding that Fassbender was open to “new ideas and thoughts” even though he had “been in more movies” than her.
“He was like, ‘I’m stuck. What do I do?'” Vikander explained. “Are you asking me?” I said. That was very nice. ”
October 2020
In an interview with Good Morning America, Vikander said that Fassbender took her to his native Sweden for her 32nd birthday.
“My husband surprised me with a trip to Sweden,” she said. “I landed and got a negative COVID test, so I was able to spend time with my mom and dad and a lot of my family that I hadn’t seen in a long time. It was kind of the perfect gift.”
September 2021
In an interview with People magazine, Vikander confirmed that she and Fassbender are expecting their first child together.
“I now have a whole new understanding of life in general,” she said. “This is very beautiful and will obviously have a huge impact on my future work.”
He added, “I’m more excited than anything to find that right now, in this moment.”
April 2022
In a 2022 interview with Harper’s Bazaar UK, Vikander opened up about trying to get pregnant during lockdown and how she knew she wanted to become a mother.
“I tried to get pregnant for a while,” Vikander said. “I had a hard time…I never thought I would be able to get pregnant.”
The birth of her son was felt “deeply” and changed her “in every way.”
She also revealed that she spent time with Fassbender in France during lockdown, calling it “a chance for my husband and I to just cook at home.”
She added, “We had a routine. We worked, met with five other family members on Zoom, and worked out together Monday through Friday.”
June 2022
In June 2022, Fassbender competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France as part of the German racing team Proton Competition. Vikander was by his side and said on The Late Late Show with James Corden: “It’s very exciting. I remember at first thinking I was going to be scared, but instead I get up there and I’m like, ‘You go!’
July 2022
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Ms Vikander said she had suffered an “extremely painful” miscarriage before the birth of her son.
“We have kids now, and it took time,” she explained. “Sometimes in life you go through hard things, and if you’re in a corporate job, you can kind of distance yourself from it. But sometimes myself or a colleague goes through something and then I don’t understand how they end up on the red carpet.”
Vikander continued, “People are asking, ‘How are you doing?’ Given what they’ve just been through? Most people won’t be able to leave their house.”
May 2023
The two appeared at the Cannes Film Festival in Vikander’s film Firebrand.
July 2023
The two enjoyed Paris Fashion Week, attending a Louis Vuitton event together.
July 2024
The couple are expecting their second child in 2024, Vikander revealed in an interview with ELLE UK.
“All women go through different things, and it was definitely difficult for me to go through it the second time, but I think the training made it easier,” she said. “Getting through those nine months is like a marathon, so it helps if you can tackle it with stamina. It’s very physically demanding and I have so much respect for the women who have accomplished this.”
December 2024
On December 8, the couple attended the 27th British Independent Film Awards at the Roundhouse in London. Vikander wore a shimmering green Louis Vuitton gown and semi-sheer skirt.
March 2025
Fassbender talked a little about working with Vikander on Hope, saying that they didn’t actually film any scenes together.
“We are big fans of Na Hong-jin. He is directing this movie, “Hope.” He has directed movies such as “Voice of Lament,” “Yellow Sea,” and “Pursuer.” We were big fans of his work,” he said. “Alicia reached out to him, and he asked us to be in this movie. We’re on set together, but we weren’t on set together.”
They filmed it with a stand-in, he said, “Due to my schedule, I had to leave early because I was shooting ‘Black Bag’ and ‘The Agency.’ So I shot my film with a stand-in for her, and she did the same.”
February 2026
On February 12, Vikander and Fassbender attended the 2026 BAFTA Investment Talent Gala, marking their first red carpet appearance since 2024. The biennial fundraiser generates proceeds to support emerging talent in film, games and television. The actress wore a silver off-the-shoulder gown by Louis Vuitton, while Fassbender wore a classic black tuxedo. Vikander wearing Louis Vuitton jewelry.
