Michael J. Fox says he'd understand if wife wanted to 'step out' of their marriage due to Parkinson's

Michael J. Fox has shared insights into his marriage with Tracy Pollan, acknowledging that he wouldn't have held it against her if she had chosen to "step out" of their union due to his enduring battle with Parkinson's disease, a struggle that has spanned several decades.

The renowned Back To The Future star, now 62, was only 29 years old when he received the diagnosis for the condition, characterized by challenges in balance and coordination, often accompanied by involuntary movements, and known to progress and worsen over time.

In 1991, he first noticed something was amiss when his little finger began twitching. Initially grappling with the news by turning to heavy drinking, Fox later quit and publicly disclosed his diagnosis in 1998.

Throughout all of it, his wife, Pollan, has been by his side in their 35-year marriage, but the actor admitted he would have understood if it had been too much for her to live with.

Making a personal appearance at his charity event for Parkinson's, titled "The Michael J. Fox Foundation Hosts A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Cure Parkinson's," in New York last Saturday, Fox was accompanied by Pollan, 63, their son Sam Michael, 34, and twin daughters Aquinnah Kathleen and Schuyler Frances, 28. Notably, their daughter Esmé Annabelle, 21, was not seen during the event.

In the days leading up to this family gathering, Fox openly spoke about the enduring love between him and Pollan, expressing understanding if she had chosen to end their marriage due to his health challenges.

During an interview with CBS Mornings on Thursday, Fox stated, "At any time, she would have been forgiven to say, 'I'm just gonna step out.' But she didn't do that."

Acknowledging the difficulty Pollan has faced in dealing with his illness, Fox emphasized, "I love Tracy obviously, and she's an amazing person who has gone through a lot. I realize she has a life separate from me having Parkinson's, from me being Alex Keaton or Marty McFly; she's a person. I think that's why it's gone okay."

He shared, "She had conveyed to me, pledging for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. She not only got me through it but went through it alongside me. And she has done so for 35 years."

Fox went on to say, "We were aware that the metaphorical bus was approaching, and we knew it would hit us, but we didn't have clarity on how close or how swiftly it was coming."

The couple marked their 35th wedding anniversary in July. Fox expressed his sentiments on Instagram, stating, "35 years of laughter, living, listening, and loving you @tracy.pollan. Thank you for it all. Forever yours, Mike."

Pollan also shared her own tribute, writing, "35 years!!! Happy anniversary my love. Here's to many more glorious adventures together. I could not love you more."

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Fox established his own foundation to fund research into early diagnosis and a potential cure for Parkinson's disease, which is currently incurable.

The foundation, which has so far donated $2 billion towards its work, has made some big breakthroughs in its research in regards to early detection.

Throughout his hardships, Fox has remained upbeat, however, he admitted: "The positivity is really sincere, I really feel it, and it's genuine. But it's hard-fought and it's hard-won, I should say."

Revealing how he and Pollan get through it, he added: "We can find ways to just give ourselves a break, give ourselves credit for getting through life on life's terms.

"And in order to do that, you have to stop and say, 'It's not that bad; it's not that bad'... they say the absence of fear is faith."

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