Matthew McConaughey Feels Grateful for Wife Camila Alves: "I Wake Up Next to Someone Who I Know Loves Me"

Actor also explains to Haute Living why he doesn’t take life for granted

By Mike Vulpo May 06, 2015 1:41 AMTags
Camila Alves, Matthew McConaugheyGary Miller/Getty Images

Matthew McConaughey knows his life is more than just alright, alright, alright.

Between his solid acting career and adorable children, the actor finds himself grateful for many things in and around his life.

But in the new issue of Haute Living Los Angeles, the Oscar winner makes it clear that Camila Alves is a huge reason why he's so happy.

"Now I get to wake up next to someone who I know loves me the way she does—my wife—who gave birth to our three beautiful, healthy children," he shared in the May/June issue available Wednesday. "I get to live in a nice place, and I have things to look forward to every day—work, play, and sometimes nothing at all."

He added, "I look forward to Mondays. It's very rare to have a career where I don't need days off. I love going to work."

Courtesy TalismanPHOTO/ Haute Living Los Angeles

While he continues to book new roles for the big-screen, McConaughey hopes the long shoots and not always ideal hours can be a teachable moment for his kids.

After winning an Oscar for his role in Dallas Buyers Club, the actor's kids wanted an explanation as to what the special trophy was for.  He immediately took them back to the time when daddy "was skinny."

"He'd go to work every day and you'd be up and he was gone, but I'd come read to you and say goodnight," the Texas native recalled telling his youngest fans. "What they learned is not that if you go to work you get a trophy, but if you do something really good today, you can be rewarded for it later."

It's also all about paying it forward and spreading your gifts with others. Today, McConaughey remains active with his foundation and clothing line Just Keep Livin. It's a small gesture that could prove to be a big difference in students' lives.

"I've been given a lot with the help of the people around me," the 45-year-old explained. "And I think I've done a pretty good job of taking care of what I've been given."