"Love isn’t enough" - Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary gives advice on finding a life partner

Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary isn’t just known for his business advice—he often shares valuable insights on relationships and family as well.

In a December 1 Instagram post, O'Leary shared some advice on finding the right person to get married. In the video, he explained how love is not enough and that people should think long-term when it comes to forming and sustaining a relationship.

"Love isn’t enough. If you want a lasting marriage, you need someone who accepts your weaknesses, not just your strengths. That’s what I found in my wife, Linda. We’ve been together for almost 40 years.," he wrote in the caption.

O'Leary emphasized that family becomes a cornerstone of life, and starting earlier makes the journey even more fulfilling.

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Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary advises to start a family early

In his Instagram video, Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary shared how to identify the right person to get married to or form a "long-term relationship" with. He explained that while love was an important part of a relationship, it wasn't enough.

O'Leary advised people to consider their future and long-term goals when it comes to relationships.

He emphasized the importance of choosing a partner who will stand by their side not only in moments of strength but also during times of weakness.

The Shark Tank investor said that that was how he found his wife Linda and they have been together for "almost 40 years."

"If I could have started again, I would have got married earlier and had my kids way earlier because family ends up being so important. You just don't know when you're young. You're running around, screwing around, you're thinking to yourself like I want to keep doing this for as long as I can. No, you don't," he added.

O'Leary further encouraged people to seek a partner they would want to build a family with early in life. He explained that children often become a significant part of a married couple's journey, and starting a family sooner allows parents more time to grow and age alongside them.

"You want to find somebody you really like to start a family young because children end up being really important to you and it's a wonderful thing to do. And the younger you are and the younger they are, more interesting life gets. So there's some good advice for you," The Shark Tank investor said.

He concluded by emphasizing the importance of choosing the right person—someone who will remain by their side through thick and thin.

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Kevin O'Leary recommends a long courtship

Kevin O'Leary and his wife at 2017 American Music Awards - Red Carpet (Photo by Emma McIntyre/AMA2017/Getty Images for dcp)

While the Shark Tank investor encourages starting a family earlier in life, he also advises couples not to rush into marriage.

In his 2015 book, Cold Hard Truth on Family, Kids and Money, O’Leary used his dating tenure with Linda as an example to explain the importance of getting to know their partner before tying the knot.

“Our courtship was very simple. Linda and I were united in a common purpose: to enjoy our time together without worrying about our finances. … Linda and I dated for six years before we got married. We broke up once in the middle before getting back together a few months later,” O’Leary wrote."

O’Leary felt that by getting to know their partner during their dating phase, couples could avoid potential conflicts that might arise after marriage.

The Shark Tank investor shared that he and his wife "weren’t starry-eyed kids rushing full tilt down the aisle". They had tested their relationship, figured out their core compatibilities, and made plans for their partnership that would last.

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Shark Tank season 16 episodes air every Friday on ABC