Olivia Wilde has described co-parenting with former fiancé Jason Sudeikis as difficult despite reaching what she calls a 'healthy equilibrium' while raising their two children. Speaking on The New York Times podcast The Interview on 14 November 2026, the 42-year-old actor and director said she was proud of how the former couple had learned to share parenting responsibilities following their 2020 separation.
Wilde Rejects the Idea of an Easy Separation
'It's so hard,' Wilde said. She rejected the suggestion that former partners can simply 'consciously uncouple' and find an effortless arrangement, calling that idea 'BS.' She said she took pride in how well her family now managed co-parenting and described their relationship as having reached a 'healthy equilibrium'.
Wilde also emphasised the importance of honesty with children, saying they can sense when adults conceal their feelings. She said she felt relieved that her children could grow up in an environment where their parents were authentic about how they felt.
2023 Custody Settlement Included Child Support
Wilde and Sudeikis share son Otis, 12, and daughter Daisy, 10. The pair began dating in 2011, became engaged in 2013, and separated in 2020. Their custody dispute drew public attention in April 2022, when Wilde was served legal papers while speaking onstage at CinemaCon. A representative for Sudeikis said at the time that he had not known when or where the papers would be delivered.
The former couple reached a custody settlement in September 2023. Court documents reported at the time indicated that Sudeikis had agreed to pay $27,500 (£20,816.12) a month in child support, comprising $10,300 (£7,796.58) for Otis and $17,200 (£13,019.53) for Daisy, as well as 25% of Wilde's childcare expenses.
The reported agreement provided for joint custody on an alternating-week basis. These figures refer to the terms reported in 2023 and do not establish whether the arrangements have subsequently changed.
Both Parents Have Discussed Shared Responsibilities
During a 17 June 2026 appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Wilde said sharing custody allowed her to focus fully on her children during their time together and pursue work when they were with Sudeikis. She described him as a capable co-parent who was present for their children.
Sudeikis also reflected on the end of their relationship during an October 2026 appearance on the Talk Easy podcast, discussing the importance of communication and acknowledging that he could have communicated his feelings better.
Wilde Reflects on a Difficult Breakup
In her latest remarks, Wilde described ending the relationship as a deeply painful decision, while saying she believed it was better for the children than remaining in a household where their parents were not aligned. She acknowledged that a separation can feel like a failure, even when both parents continue to put their children first.
Since their breakup, Wilde has directed Don't Worry Darling and The Invite, with the latter being about a dysfunctional couple meeting with another couple. Sudeikis, meanwhile, focused his recent efforts on the Apple TV+ sitcom Ted Lasso, which has won thirteen Emmy Awards during its four-season run.
Both have spoken publicly about parenting since their separation. Her latest comments describe a more settled co-parenting relationship without suggesting that their earlier custody agreement is under renewed legal challenge.
