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By Joe Edwards
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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s private life has come under renewed attention after reports that the New York congresswoman and her longtime partner, Riley Roberts, have split and called off their engagement.
The reports land at a politically significant moment for Ocasio-Cortez, who is a central figure in the Democratic Party and widely viewed as one of its most closely watched potential 2028 presidential contenders.
As of Wednesday morning, she is listed as the second favorite behind California Governor Gavin Newsom on Kalshi’s Democratic nominee market.
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TMZ reported Tuesday that Ocasio-Cortez and Roberts broke up roughly two years ago, citing reporting by Puck’s Leigh Ann Caldwell. The outlet reported that Capitol Hill sources had described the couple as having been out of public view together for some time, adding that their last widely known photographed appearance was at the 2021 Met Gala.
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However, that may not be the most recent public image of the pair together. Multiple social media users have pointed to an Instagram post dated May 4 from a New York burger restaurant that showed the pair together, where Ocasio-Cortez did not appear to be wearing an engagement ring.
Ocasio-Cortez, 36, confirmed in May 2022 that she and Roberts were engaged in a social media post on X. Roberts, who has largely stayed out of the spotlight, has been connected to Ocasio-Cortez since before her rapid rise from progressive challenger to one of the most recognizable Democrats in Congress, according to People.
TMZ said it reached out to Ocasio-Cortez’s representative, who had no comment.
Newsweek has also contacted Ocasio-Cortez's office for comment, outside of usual office hours on Wednesday.
Writing on X Tuesday, Caldwell said: “I was told by a reputable Democratic source about 18 months ago that her engagement was called off.”
Caldwell left open the possibility that the pair may have reconciled, but said she did not know for certain and that Ocasio-Cortez’s office had not confirmed or denied where the relationship stands.
Reports Surface Amid AOC's Egg-Freezing Disclosure
The split report also follows Ocasio-Cortez’s recent decision to publicly discuss freezing her eggs. She has shared parts of the process on social media, including the cost and medical steps involved. Ocasio-Cortez said the choice made her feel “more in control” of her life.
She also said discussing the process openly was important amid ongoing political battles over reproductive health care. "In this political environment where this administration is denying reproductive care to women across the country, from abortion rights to the ability to carry out a healthy pregnancy, I think it's important for us as leaders to have these conversations and share these processes, especially for working women across the country and normalize them," Ocasio-Cortez told ABC News' This Week.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: John Fitzpatrick and Cristina Diciu.
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