(CNN) Reese Witherspoon was not thrilled when her then-husband, Ryan Phillips, was able to argue about her financial situation during the 2002 Oscars.
The actress / producer talked about the moment that went viral at the time. Philip said during the live broadcast that he could present the award because “you make more money than I do.”
“I forgot it ever happened,” Witherspoon said during a conversation podcast on HFPA.
Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillips were married for seven years before leaving in 2006. Together, the couple finalized their divorce in 2008.
“But you’re right, he said, and no, it’s not scripted, and he didn’t tell me he was going to say it before it aired in the air. So I was a little flustered at the moment, too.”
She said that although “gender norms have changed a bit” since that moment, successful women are called “shameful”, especially when they make “a lot of money”.
The couple, who have two children together, divorced in 2006.
Witherspoon added that her daughter, Ava, 21, was once harassed by her mother’s financial success after she was harassed from elementary school.
“I said, ‘Women should never be ashamed to make money. These are women all over the world who have no opportunity, no education or no ability to make money. And more women who earn more, give more money, take care of their society. Take care of their communities, they will do more than money. So never be bad about your mom making money, and never feel bad if you make money. Money, and don’t be ashamed or embarrassed if it’s more than your spouse. Come on. ‘
