Phoenix dated his Inventing the Abbotts co-star Liv Tyler from 1995 to 1998 and South African model Topaz Page-Green from 2001 to 2005.
Since late 2016, he has been in a relationship with actress Rooney Mara.
In July 2019, it was confirmed that they are engaged.
In May 2020, it was reported that Phoenix and Mara are expecting their first child together.

In early April 2005, Phoenix checked himself into rehab to be treated for alcoholism.
Since 2006, he has lived in the Hollywood Hills.
On his religious background, he has said, "My parents believed in God.
I'm Jewish, my mom's Jewish, but she believes in Jesus, she felt a connection to that.
But they were never religious.
I don't remember going to church, maybe a couple of times."

On January 26, 2006, while driving down a winding canyon road in Hollywood, Phoenix veered off the road and flipped his car.
The crash was reportedly caused by brake failure.
Shaken and confused, he heard someone tapping on his window and telling him to "just relax".
Unable to see the man, Phoenix replied, "I'm fine.
I am relaxed."
The man replied, "No, you're not."
The man then stopped Phoenix from lighting a cigarette while gasoline was leaking into the car cabin.
Phoenix realized that the man was German filmmaker Werner Herzog.
While Herzog helped Phoenix out of the wreckage by breaking the back window of the car, bystanders called an ambulance.
Phoenix approached Herzog to express his gratitude, but Herzog downplayed his actions and returned to his home nearby.

Phoenix unexpectedly announced in late 2008 that he had retired from acting to pursue a career in rap music, and that the forthcoming Two Lovers would be his last film.
On February 11, 2009, he appeared on Late Show to promote Two Lovers.
He seemed incoherent and was mostly unresponsive to host David Letterman's questions about the film and his career plans.
Phoenix appeared on Late Show again on September 22, 2010, revealing that his "retirement" and eccentric behavior were for his role in a mockumentary called I'm Still Here.

In October 2012, Phoenix labeled the Academy Awards "bullshit".
He later gave an interview apologizing for his comments, and acknowledged that the awards provide an important platform for many deserving filmmakers.
He elaborated on the topic while on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
in 2015, explaining that he is uncomfortable receiving accolades for his work in films when he considers the filmmaking process to be a collaborative one.

Phoenix is famous for his anxiety when acting and receiving awards.
During a 2012 interview with Interview magazine, he said, "I still get nauseous the day before and have weeks of incredible anxiety.
They have to put fucking pads in my armpits because I sweat so much that it just drips down my wardrobe.
For the first three weeks of shooting, I'm just sweating.
It's pure anxiety, and I love it."
Phoenix dated his Inventing the Abbotts co-star Liv Tyler from 1995 to 1998 and South African model Topaz Page-Green from 2001 to 2005. Since late 2016, he has been in a relationship with actress Rooney Mara. In July 2019, it was confirmed that they are engaged. In May 2020, it was reported that Phoenix and Mara are expecting their first child together.
In early April 2005, Phoenix checked himself into rehab to be treated for alcoholism. Since 2006, he has lived in the Hollywood Hills. On his religious background, he has said, "My parents believed in God. I'm Jewish, my mom's Jewish, but she believes in Jesus, she felt a connection to that. But they were never religious. I don't remember going to church, maybe a couple of times."
On January 26, 2006, while driving down a winding canyon road in Hollywood, Phoenix veered off the road and flipped his car. The crash was reportedly caused by brake failure. Shaken and confused, he heard someone tapping on his window and telling him to "just relax". Unable to see the man, Phoenix replied, "I'm fine. I am relaxed." The man replied, "No, you're not." The man then stopped Phoenix from lighting a cigarette while gasoline was leaking into the car cabin. Phoenix realized that the man was German filmmaker Werner Herzog. While Herzog helped Phoenix out of the wreckage by breaking the back window of the car, bystanders called an ambulance. Phoenix approached Herzog to express his gratitude, but Herzog downplayed his actions and returned to his home nearby.
Phoenix unexpectedly announced in late 2008 that he had retired from acting to pursue a career in rap music, and that the forthcoming Two Lovers would be his last film. On February 11, 2009, he appeared on Late Show to promote Two Lovers. He seemed incoherent and was mostly unresponsive to host David Letterman's questions about the film and his career plans. Phoenix appeared on Late Show again on September 22, 2010, revealing that his "retirement" and eccentric behavior were for his role in a mockumentary called I'm Still Here.
In October 2012, Phoenix labeled the Academy Awards "bullshit". He later gave an interview apologizing for his comments, and acknowledged that the awards provide an important platform for many deserving filmmakers. He elaborated on the topic while on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2015, explaining that he is uncomfortable receiving accolades for his work in films when he considers the filmmaking process to be a collaborative one.
Phoenix is famous for his anxiety when acting and receiving awards. During a 2012 interview with Interview magazine, he said, "I still get nauseous the day before and have weeks of incredible anxiety. They have to put fucking pads in my armpits because I sweat so much that it just drips down my wardrobe. For the first three weeks of shooting, I'm just sweating. It's pure anxiety, and I love it."
Joaquin Phoenix