Rosie O'Donnell credits her and wife Michelle Rounds' health problems for bringing them closer.
The 51-year-old talk show host suffered a heart attack in August 2012, just months after her partner was diagnosed with Desmoid tumours, a rare cancer-like disease, and she says their struggles have only strengthened their relationship.
She said: "It totally brought us closer...
"Although we've only been together for three years, it's felt like 30 because so much has happened. It's brought us so much closer."
Michelle's illness prompted the couple - who have 13-month-old daughter Dakota together - to scrap their lavish wedding plans in favour of an intimate ceremony in their home.
Speaking on 'Mondays With Marlo', Rosie - who married Michelle in June 2012 - told host Marlo Thomas: "We were scheduled to have a really big wedding on August 17 out in Long Island, right near where I grew up. We had a lot of people invited and she got sick on Mother's Day in May...
"We got married in our apartment on our own, just the two of us with the justice of the peace."

Leonard Nimoy felt it was "unfair" when he was diagnosed with chronic lung disease.
The 82-year-old actor recently revealed he has developed obstructive pulmonary disease, despite quitting smoking 30 years ago, and he admits he has learned a "lesson" about his former deadly habit.
Discussing his diagnosis last May, he said: "I thought, 'This is unfair. I quit a long time ago. Why is this happening to me?'
"But it's a lesson that I had to learn. I damaged the lung cells many years ago and then as age begins the damage of lung cells as well you begin to feel it. So, it's something that can stick up on you later."
The 'Star Trek' star has to carry a special machine around with him to help when he struggles to breathe.
Speaking on 'Piers Morgan Live', he said: "This is an oxygenator. I don't carry a tank of oxygen. This machine gives me oxygen by it extracts oxygen out of the atmosphere and I get it up my nose when I need it.
"I'm still using it sporadically but a couple of years ago I didn't need it at all. Now, there are days when I needed it several times a day.
"I get short of a breath and suddenly feel like I can't get a full breath, I can't catch my breath. So, I have to go to the machine."
Although he gave up cigarettes several decades ago, Leonard admits he was an "Olympic championship smoker" at the height of his addiction.
He said: "Look, I tell people that I was an Olympic championship smoker. If there have been a championship in the addiction, I could have qualified. I could smoke in the shower. I can smoke any place.
"And it was something that you - it was part of my culture. It was part of my gang, my guys, the people I hang out with. It was cool to be able to light a cigarette."

Mariah Carey wants to help Bobbi Kristina Brown launch a pop career.
The 'Hero' hitmaker and fellow former 'American Idol' judge Randy Jackson were close friends of Whitney Houston - who died in February 2012 - and have now vowed to do all they can to help her daughter achieve her musical ambitions.
A source said: "Mariah and Randy were close friends of Whitney's and were heartbroken after she died suddenly in 2012. They kept in touch.
"Now Randy has decided he wants to make a full court press to help Bobbi Kristina become a star- and Mariah told him she wanted in, too.
"Mariah would love to step in and provide mentoring to BK because she and Randy have been so close and even worked together on last season's 'American Idol'. They have years of music experience between them and will share all their knowledge with Bobbi Kristina.
"Randy wants to move quickly and is presenting a plan for the potential star that gets her on the pop charts in under 12 months."
While 20-year-old Bobbi Kristina - whose father is singer Bobby Brown - is said to be very talented, she is cautious about venturing into the music world.
The source added to RadarOnline.com: "For her part, Bobbi Kristina is being extremely careful about her first steps into the pop singing world.
"She wants to be a singing star just like her mom, but she wants to be really careful about how she does it. Bobbi Kristina understands how important first impressions are when you release music."

David Beckham has been named the ultimate Valentine's Day (14.02.14) date. The retired soccer star topped a new poll from toptable to find British women's dream dinner companion on the most romantic day of the year, scoring 18 per cent of the vote. B...

Damon Albarn is to receive the NME Award For Innovation.
The Blur frontman - who is also a songwriter, producer and composer - has been honoured the accolade after being recognised as one of the UK's most influential artists.
NME magazine editor said: "Damon's enduring popularity is a testament to his unrivalled talent. He is somebody who is always pushing things forward, always operating in his own sphere and forever innovating via experimentation and collaboration.
"Britain rarely produces songwriters of Damon's calibre, which is why he's been so popular with NME's readers for the past two decades. I don't see that popularity waning any time soon, just as I don't see his ability to write life-affirming, jaw-dropping songs disappearing either. "We're lucky to have him, and it's an absolute honour for us to be giving Damon the NME Award For Innovation."
The 45-year-old star will pick up his award - which celebrates artists who push boundaries, surprise and shock fans - at the NME awards on February 26, 2014, at the O2 Academy in Brixton, London.
Fans have been casting votes across 20 categories for this year's awards, and the Arctic Monkeys currently stand in the lead with eight nominations, Haim follow closely with six, while Queens of The Stone Age, Lily Allen and Arcade Fire all have three nods.
The event is being sponsored by the city of Austin in Texas.

Paris Hilton left her hotel in SoHo in New York wearing a black blouse and grey pleated skirt with black suspender style tights and large black sunglasses.

Cara Delevingne attended a charity dinner with her father at Christies in central London, in aid of the Old Vic Theatre. The supermodel wore black trousers with a black lace blouse and a tailored jacket with gold embellishments.

Amber Rose showed off her curves in a white knitted cropped jumper and light blue jeans as she visited the Urth Caffe in Los Angeles, California. The model added a pair of leopard print framed sunglasses and gold hoop earrings to her outfit.

Gwen Stefani camouflaged her pregnancy bump in an all black outfit as she paid a visit to an acupuncture clinic in Los Angeles, California. The singer wore leather trousers with a long coat and brightened up the look with hot pink lipstick.

Amy Adams ditched the gowns for a red shirt and trouser combination as she posed for cameras at The Beverly Hilton hotel. The actress was attending the 86th Oscars Nominee Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California.

Sandra Bullock chose another elegant dress for the 86th Oscars Nominee Luncheon at The Beverly Hilton hotel in California. The strapless number featured a floral design and had a red striped belt which she coordinated with a small clutch bag.

Lupita Nyong'o looked radiant in a stunning silk dress at the 86th Oscars Nominee Luncheon at The Beverly Hilton hotel in California. The lilac material had an orange and brown leaf design and the actress added a small purple box clutch to her outfit.