Together for 44 years, they don't want marriage or children: 'Too many in the world, raising them costs, and you don't get that money back'

Actor Ricky Gervais and his partner Jane Fallon, together for 44 years, have consistently opted against marriage and children, a choice Gervais has often discussed with his characteristic humor.

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We are married when we look at our intentions and goals, everything is common to us and in fact our 'fake' marriage has lasted longer than a real one. But there is no point in having a real ceremony before God because God does not exist.

Their relationship began four decades ago while studying at the University of London. Fallon became a producer for the BBC series 'EastEnders,' while Gervais pursued television after a stint managing the band Suede. They initially lived in London's King's Cross area during a time of significant crime.

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One good reason why I don't want children is that I don't think I would sleep at night. I had to double-check if I left the pool gate open because I was afraid the cat would pass through it and drown. So, with a child, I would just stand over him, to make sure he was breathing.

Gervais has humorously explained their decision not to have children, citing the immense financial and emotional commitment. He once joked about the cost of raising a child in the West being $200,000, money that he believes is never recouped. He also expressed anxieties about child safety, comparing it to worrying about his cat drowning in the pool.

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It makes no sense. None of us wanted children. We simply didn't want to dedicate 16 years of our lives to it. And, of course, there are too many children in the world.

The couple, who are devoted animal lovers, frequently encounter criticism for choosing pets over offspring. Gervais dismisses such comments as intrusive, stating that neither he nor Fallon ever desired children and did not want to dedicate 16 years of their lives to raising them. He also believes that raising a child in wealth could negatively impact the child.

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From day one, it's all me, me, me, me, isn't it? Dress me. Feed me. Raising children in the West costs $200,000, and you don't get that money back. They are not grateful. They don't say every day: 'Oh, thank you for having me,' but they say: 'I didn't want to be born.' Even if they get a top job, which won't happen, you'll never see that money back.