Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez got engaged to her longtime lover Riley Roberts during a break from visiting Amazon union employees and promoting progressive politicians.
Ocasio-Cortez, 32, told Insider on Thursday that she and Roberts, who met at Boston University, got engaged last month while visiting her parents’ hometown of Puerto Rico.
“It’s true!” she responded on Twitter. “I appreciate everyone’s kind wishes.”
According to Insider, the couple kept their connection covert even before Ocasio-Cortez rose to prominence as a political figure, and their university acquaintances were unaware of their relationship.
According to a biography published earlier this year in People magazine, Roberts has also been one of her most steadfast supporters throughout her career.
In an editorial published by the editors of New York magazine called Take Up Space: The Unprecedented AOC, Josh Gondelman writes, “What we do know about Roberts doesn’t fit the image of a politician’s partner.”
“For state banquets and press conferences, he doesn’t look focus-grouped or media-trained.” In private, we know he’s encouraging and supportive,” writes Gondelman. “His elusiveness and moderation are his public image expertise.”
Roberts, a marketing specialist, has only been in the media a few times, most recently with the couple’s dog, Deco, and in the 2018 documentary Knock Down the House.
For at least a month, Ocasio-Cortez and Roberts indicated they would not start arranging a wedding.