Roland Garros royalty returned to the throne on Jubilee weekend as Nadal roared to a 14th title courtesy of a 6-3 6-3 6-0 win over first-time finalist Ruud.
Nadal is two days past his 36th birthday and suffering with a chronic foot problem, which has prompted rumours of retirement.
By contrast, it was a walk in the Paris sunshine against Ruud, 17 years to the day since the Spaniard won his first title here.
Such is Nadal's longevity he is now frequently coming up against players who idolised him as children.
Ruud, 23, is one of those, having been in the crowd when Nadal won his eighth title, against David Ferrer in 2013.
He also needed the best part of a gruelling 12 hours to see off Felix Auger-Aliassime, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev in the previous three rounds.
"I don't know what I would do in terms of injuries if it wasn't for the team, my family and everyone around me," said Nadal.
"I would've already retired much before if it wasn't for you.
"I never believed, that I'd be here at 36, being competitive again. Being here, means a lot to me on the most important court in my career. It helps me to keep going.
"For me, it's incredible to play here. It's an incredible feeling. I don't know what can happen in the future, but I'm going to keep fighting to try to keep going."
His two-hour 18-minute win on Sunday took his record at the tournament to 112 wins against just three losses and also put him halfway to a rare calendar men's Grand Slam last achieved by Rod Laver in 1969.
"The most important thing is to congratulate Rafa," said Ruud.
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