Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Questioned About Relationship Status with Riley Roberts amid Rumors They Ended Engagement

**Speculation Surrounds Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Engagement to Riley Roberts**

Reports have emerged suggesting a change in the relationship status of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her long-term partner, Riley Roberts. The couple, who became engaged in 2022, have reportedly faced challenges, including speculation of a split approximately two years ago. Ocasio-Cortez, when approached by a reporter from the New York Post, chose not to confirm or deny the latest allegations concerning their engagement.

While leaving her apartment in Queens on 12 August, the 36-year-old representative smiled and said, “I don’t comment on my private life – thank you.” This statement follows a report from TMZ that suggested Ocasio-Cortez and Roberts, who have been an item for over a decade, ended their engagement nearly two years ago.

Leigh Ann Caldwell, Puck’s chief Washington correspondent, was credited with breaking the news of the alleged breakup. In a post on social media platform X, Caldwell stated, “I was told by a reputable Democratic source about 18 months ago that her engagement was called off. AOC stopped wearing her engagement ring several months before that.” Caldwell added a note of uncertainty, stating, “Maybe they have gotten back together? I have no idea. Her office has not confirmed nor denied the status of her relationship.”

Adding to the intrigue, Caldwell noted that she believed Ocasio-Cortez’s decision to call off the engagement was more widely known at the time of her original tweet. This discussion took place shortly after Ocasio-Cortez announced her decision to freeze her eggs, generating further interest in her personal life. The congresswoman candidly shared her experience in a series of Instagram Stories, revealing that she had been saving for this decision for a considerable time.

In her videos, Ocasio-Cortez touched on wider issues surrounding women’s decisions related to family planning, expressing concerns about the societal biases that often surround such choices. “We are not prepared for our own lives, whether that is in puberty, whether that is in pregnancy, whether that is in perimenopause, menopause … whether you want to plan to have a family, whether you don’t plan to have children biologically,” she said.

Ocasio-Cortez highlighted the gender disparity in public perception when it comes to family planning, noting that male candidates often do not face the same scrutiny. “You know, men run for office … and people don’t think in the back of their mind, ‘Okay, this guy’s running for office. How old is he? Is he going to want to start a family?’” she pointed out, contrasting this with the focus that women endure regarding their personal choices.

The couple first crossed paths during their undergraduate years at Boston University and later got engaged in May 2022. In a conversation with Business Insider, Ocasio-Cortez revealed that their engagement took place in her family’s hometown in Puerto Rico. At the time, she shared her elation, saying, “I feel like I won the men lottery in my life.” However, despite their initial excitement, Ocasio-Cortez has since maintained a degree of privacy around their relationship.

Friends of the couple have noted that Roberts has been a consistent source of support for Ocasio-Cortez as her political profile has risen. Despite some public focus on their relationship, Roberts has typically opted to remain out of the limelight, enabling Ocasio-Cortez to navigate her role as a prominent progressive voice within the Democratic Party.

Since being elected to Congress in 2018, Ocasio-Cortez has become renowned for her advocacy on various progressive issues. Despite her growing fame and public awareness, she has largely kept her personal life, particularly her relationship with Roberts, out of the public eye.

In the wake of the recent speculation surrounding their engagement, PEOPLE reached out to Ocasio-Cortez’s office for an official comment but did not receive a response before publication. This has left many questions surrounding the status of their relationship unanswered. As the situation develops, Ocasio-Cortez continues to navigate the complexities of her personal and public life amid increasing scrutiny.