Sunny Leone Gets Real About Marriage, Motherhood & Missing Her Parents

In a candid conversation, Sunny opens up about quiet birthdays, late-night pottery dates with husband Daniel, the irreplaceable void left by her parents, and why finding time for love amidst chaos is the real art form.

What does a birthday mean to you at this juncture of your life?

At this juncture, it’s about spending the day with my family. I never liked big birthday events. This year I was shooting on the 14th in New Zealand, so I had a late flight on the 13th. Nice day, home and dinner. Next week I’m shooting in Dubai and plan to enjoy a few different things there that Daniel planned.

Do your kids get more excited about your birthday than you do?

My kids love a birthday because they love cake.

What would you describe as the high point and low point of your life so far?

The high point is my beautiful family. So I’m living my high point. My loss would have been losing my parents before I had the amazing family, and them not being able to spend this time with my husband and children, and my kids not being able to have them in their lives.

While marriages are crumbling all around you, how come yours remains rock solid?

Are marriages crumbling? Haven’t noticed (laughs). I live in a family-and-work bubble which I love. I don’t follow others’ married lives and problems. The key for Daniel and me is communication, and to make sure during our nonstop life with three kids that we find time for each other. It’s in the small romantic things.

Like what?

Last week we went to an artistic pottery class at night, just to have time to relax and be creative. Sitting on a couch and watching shows is not alone time, and couples have time. It’s just more separation, yet seated near each other. So we find time for ourselves. Small things, while we have young kids. Even sitting and having a glass of wine and talking helps. Be connected.

Your plans for your coming year?

Plans are to keep growing our businesses and keep shooting, and keep juggling a hundred things at the same time while we can still do what we love!