Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti has shared that her father initially struggled to accept her marriage to American trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, who is 25 years her senior. Benedetti, 39, married Marsalis, 64, in 2021, and they have a two-year-old daughter, Elise. Marsalis is a multi Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and composer.

In an interview for the podcast Rosebud, Benedetti described her Italian father, Giovanni, as having difficulty coming to terms with the age difference. Giovanni, who is now in his mid-80s and has faced recent health issues, had conversations with Marsalis about the relationship. Benedetti noted that her parents had grown accustomed to her making unconventional choices, citing her decision to leave school at 15. "They weren't in support of that at all, but I was convincing enough that it was the right thing to do," she recalled.

She added that by the time she decided to commit to Marsalis, her parents were somewhat resigned to her forging her own path. "So I think by that point my parents were sort of a little resigned to 'OK, she's going to carve her own path and it's not necessarily going to be what we approve of.' But then, of course, they got to know Wynton."

Benedetti acknowledged the significant age and generational differences between herself and Marsalis. "He is much older than me. We have grown up in such drastically different parts of the world, and effectively in different generations," she said. However, she emphasized their shared perspective on the world.

Despite initial reservations, Benedetti stated her unwavering conviction in the relationship's longevity. "I would never have stepped into it if I wasn't utterly convinced that this was my life, this was going to be the person I would marry," she asserted.

She also commented on Marsalis's personality, describing him as "not an easy person" behind closed doors, but a good father who actively participates in childcare, including changing their daughter's diapers. Elise is Marsalis's fifth child, and Benedetti believes he offers his children a valuable "world insight."

Elise has already shown an interest in music, with her own violin. "She likes to pick it up and play her violin like Mummy," Benedetti said.

Benedetti is the artistic director of The Edinburgh Festival, where Marsalis is scheduled to perform.