Denise Austin, 67, calls her husband of 40 YEARS Jeff her 'hunny bunny' in heartfelt 73rd birthday tribute

Fitness pioneer Denise Austin used Instagram to wish husband Jeff Austin a happy 73rd birthday on Friday.

The 67-year-old Los Angeles native — who posed in a swimsuit in June — shared a heartfelt caption with her over 400K followers as she marked the special occasion.

She began the sweet note: 'Happy Birthday to my sweet hunny bunny Jeff!!!'

The mother-of-two described her spouse, who she wed in 1983, as 'the kindest' and 'most caring.'

The star added that he's 'so funny' and 'so smart' as she gushed that Jeff 'truly lives his life with the highest integrity of anyone I know!!!'

The exercise enthusiast continued, 'Our ROCK!!!! I feel so grateful to be able to celebrate you today!!! 

'Jeff you are the best husband and father we could ever ask for..You are everything to us and we LOVE you sooo much!!! Here’s to celebrating YOU !!! HAPPY Happy Birthday…….. Xoxox.'

The proud wife uploaded two photos, including one in which she wore a pink string bikini and aviator sunglasses.

In the smiling snapshot, she and her longtime partner wrapped their arms around one another while posing in front of what appeared to be the Amalfi coast.

A second photo showed the couple in formal attire as she donned a strapless gown and the former athlete a black tuxedo.

Taking to her Instagram Stories, the blonde beauty posted a throwback photo of them in 2023 and wrote, 'love you!!!'

The husband and wife share daughters Katie, who also works in fitness, and Kelly, a Somatic Trauma Informed Practitioner. 

On Independence Day, Denise was active on social media as she shared a festive snapshot with the young women and wrote: 'Happy 4th!!!!! Hope you all have the BEST holiday weekend!!!! Love you all..xoxo.'

In 2023 Denise and Jeff celebrated a milestone wedding anniversary of 40 years.

She once again turned to social media to acknowledge the special day with a loved-up post sharing then and now photos.

'Today we are CELEBRATING 40 YEARS married… WOW.. these years have flown by and I am so BLESSED!!!!! YOU are my rock .. my life .. my everything!!!!!

'And you make me laugh every day!!!!" she wrote.

She added, 'So thankful we cherish our life together and LOVE our wonderful daughters with all our hearts!!! My whole world!!!!

'I am incredibly grateful for you every single day. Happy anniversary, I love you FOREVER… xoxo.'