Sheryl Lee Ralph Reveals How Her Long Distance Marriage Works: ‘Our Business Is in the Bedroom’ (Exclusive)

Nothing is keeping Sheryl Lee Ralph and Vincent Hughes apart — not even distance. 

The Abbott Elementary star, 67, teased how she keeps her marriage going strong with the Philadelphia senator, whom she’s been married to for nearly two decades, despite their busy schedules and working on opposite ends of the U.S.

“My husband and I are technically very married,” the actress told PEOPLE at the Out100 Event. 

“And people always say, ‘Well, how does that work? How does that work?’ I [say], ‘Dolly Parton knows how it works.’ She’s been married [to Carl Thomas Dean] for 50 years. You have never seen her husband one time. You know why? ‘Cause they plan on staying married,” she explained. “And guess what we plan on? Staying married.”

The pair, who began dating in the early 2000s and wed in 2005, have a unique circumstance when it comes to their marriage, since Hughes isn’t as easily able to leave Philadelphia due to his duties. They see each other every so often when Ralph travels from Los Angeles to see him.

However, the actress noted that it works for them, and despite the challenges, their romance has persevered over the years. She even shared that they “will be celebrating” their 20th anniversary “next year.”

“Our business is in the bedroom. Thank you!,” she said.

The Emmy winner previously opened up to the Philadelphia Inquirer about the intricacies of their marriage, saying, “Vincent is not able to leave the state the way I can leave the state. In fact, in 20 years of our being together, I’m going to say my husband has been in California maybe 25 times. That means I’m in Philadelphia every two weeks.”

“It’s always like, ‘What are you doing there?’ ‘Um, I’m married to Sen. Hughes. I live here,’ ” Ralph said of the frequently asked question by fans.

Back in September, she shared some hints at how she and her husband were planning to celebrate their milestone wedding anniversary on July 30, 2025 — and revealed that they were thinking of having a soirée in Philadelphia.

“Well, his state is Pennsylvania, his city is Philadelphia. Maybe [we’ll celebrate] in the courtyard of city hall or on the stairs of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. That would be wonderful,” she added. “I don’t know, but it’ll be fabulous.”

When asked if she was planning a party to go along with it, she said, “Absolutely.” She added, “Why go small? Big party.”

Season 4 of Abbott Elementary is airing on ABC.