Tim Gunn Reveals Heartbreak of Betrayal Behind 43 Years of Celibacy on Chelsea Handler Podcast
Feb. 24, 2026 — Tim Gunn, the 72-year-old former Project Runway mentor, disclosed on Chelsea Handler’s podcast the devastating infidelity by his ex-boyfriend that led to his 43 years of celibacy, a choice he made at age 29 following a nine-year relationship ending in the early 1980s.
Gunn shared the details during the episode “Let’s Get Married with Tim Gunn” of Dear Chelsea, aired around Feb. 19. The story has gained significant traction in the past 24 to 48 hours across multiple outlets.
The Relationship and Breakup
Gunn described living with his partner in Washington, D.C., amid the AIDS crisis, when he discovered the cheating, fearing it amounted to a “death sentence.” The confrontation occurred while they watched MASH*, leaving Gunn deeply traumatized.
“I have no patience for you any longer,”
Gunn recounted telling his ex, according to coverage in the Daily Mail.
E! News detailed the emotional recount, noting the betrayal’s timing intensified Gunn’s fears during the epidemic.
Podcast Revelation and Context
On the podcast, Gunn linked the incident to his decision for celibacy, a stance he has upheld for over four decades. Page Six provided quotes emphasizing the era’s context and Gunn’s prior low sex drive.
News4SanAntonio described the reason as “awful,” focusing on the betrayal’s impact. PinkNews highlighted the heartbreak from an LGBTQ+ perspective.
Public Reaction
The revelation has sparked buzz on social media, with Page Six’s X post garnering 17,000 views and posts from Daily Mail accounts exceeding 5,000 views. TV Insider also amplified the coverage.
Earlier references, such as a 2011 Newsweek interview, vaguely mentioned the breakup, but the podcast provided fresh details.
