Jimmy Kimmel Jokes His Wife Tries to Avoid Sex Every Valentine's Day: 'It's Our Annual Tradition' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney.Photo: Gabriel Olsen/FilmMagic

WhileJimmy Kimmelmay be getting his fair share of chocolate thisValentine’s Day, he admits he often asks his wife for a different type of sugar!

While speaking with PEOPLE about his Las Vegas favorites ahead of the 2024Super Bowl, the late night host opens up about the romantic rituals he and his wifeMolly McNearneytake on for the romantic holiday.

“Once we had kids, our Valentine’s Day changed significantly,” he explains. “Now we have dinner at home with the kids and our tradition is a chocolate fondue at the end of the meal, so we melt chocolate and dip fruit in it.”

He quips, “Then my wife tries to avoid sex. It’s our annual tradition.”

Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney.rederic J. Brown / AFP/ Getty

rederic J. Brown / AFP/ Getty

Kimmell and McNearney worked together for six years onJimmy Kimmel Live!before their workplace chemistry led to a real-life romance.

As a writer and executive producer for the show, McNearney developed a camaraderie with Kimmel while the two weredatingother people. They eventually both found themselves single and after the late-night show host prepared a meal ofMcNearney’s favorite foods, the pair made their relationship official. They gotengagedwhile on safari in Africa andtied the knotin 2013 in Ojai, California.

During an appearance on the podcastSmartlessin 2020, Kimmel admitted that work often bleeds into his home life with McNearney.

“I will sometimes dream a joke or think of something in the middle of the night, and then what I do is, because I cannot hold it in, I will wait until she’s stirring and then I’ll tell her what I thought [up],” he said. “Deep in my skull, I think to myself, ‘This is her job, so it’s okay for me to do this.’ That’s how I rationalize it.”

Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney with their children.Stefanie Keenan/Getty

Since then, McNearney and Kimmel have welcomed two kids together, daughterJane, 9, and sonWilliam “Billy” John, 6. The television personality also has two children from his first marriage to Gina Kimmel, Katie, 32, and Kevin, 30.

“I’m not sure who I hope wins,” he said of the upcoming game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. “I’ll probably bet on the game right beforehand. Each team has it appeal, but I’m not sure who I’m rooting for yet.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Super Bowl LVIIIwill take place on Sunday, Feb. 11, with kick-off starting at 6:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

source: people.com