Kate Winslet Called ‘Titanic’ Co-Star Leonardo Dicaprio ‘The Love of My Life’ and the Feeling is Mutual

Part of what made the 1997 blockbuster film Titanic so successful was the obvious on-screen chemistry between Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet). It’s true that both were talented actors who are both good at their jobs. But on a deeper level, the emotions Winslet felt for DiCaprio were totally real.

There are many reasons why the pair will most likely never explore a romantic relationship. However, that fact isn’t stopping Winslet from declaring DiCaprio, “the love of my life.”

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet felt an instant connection

After Titanic premiered in 1997, fans immediately started questioning DiCaprio and Winslet’s relationship, wondering if their on-screen sparks translated into a real-life romance. DiCaprio told Entertainment Tonight (via Pop Sugar) that he respected his co-star and loved her deeply, but not how they were imagining.

“She’s such a terrific person in general that our chemistry naturally happened on-screen. We just like each other as people. As far as doing a love scene, though, we laughed about it a lot,” he said.

Winslet agreed, saying in a 1998 interview, “The closeness and the strength of a friendship that we had is something that a lot of my female friends envy, but to me, he’s just silly old Leo.”

DiCaprio claimed Winslet was his best on-screen kiss

When a person in Oprah Winfrey’s talk show audience asked DiCaprio who his favorite on-screen kiss was, he had a good-natured and somewhat predictable answer, especially based on past quotes. “Oh boy, there’s going to be some mad actresses … I’m just going to go with Kate Winslet, good old classic,” he replied, according to Ninja Journalist.

Winfrey probably knew her guest was going to answer that way because she immediately played a clip of Winslet gushing about her friend and coworker. “Leo and I always had a laugh together. We always got on incredibly well,” she said in the video.

“He’s so lovely and down-to-earth and normal and so good at what he does … It was a real brother, sister thing. We were very, very close and really stuck together.”

DiCaprio loved the clip and said, “That’s my girl.”

The two actors will probably stay in the friend zone forever

At the premiere of Divergent in 2014, Winslet deflected rumors that she and co-star Theo James could become an item, jokingly saying, “Leo is the love of my life, how could you possibly even ask me that question?”

All these effusive comments lead to the natural next question: Would Winslet and DiCaprio ever take their mutual admiration and friendship to the next level? Unfortunately for wannabe matchmakers, it seems like the answer is no.

DiCaprio has referred to Winslet as his “best friend” on multiple occasions, making it clear they shared a platonic relationship. Just like Winslet told Oprah, they really are more like brother and sister.

DiCaprio and Winslet are involved with other people

Winslet wed billionaire Richard Branson’s cousin, Edward Abel Smith, in 2012. The pair have a son, Bear. The 47-year-old star also has two children from her previous marriage to director Sam Mendes.

Meanwhile, DiCaprio is a confirmed bachelor who has been linked to many different models and actresses. He’s been dating model Camila Morrone since 2017.