Riley Roberts, the former fiancé of U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, was seen publicly for the first time since news of their breakup surfaced. Roberts was photographed walking the couple's French bulldog, Deco, outside Ocasio-Cortez's apartment in Queens, New York.
Roberts, 38, was observed on Saturday afternoon taking the dog on a walk. He was dressed in a black long-sleeve shirt, camouflage shorts, and Birkenstocks, and wore a Knicks baseball cap, sunglasses, and earbuds. The walk lasted approximately 20 minutes before he returned to the apartment.
Roberts had not been seen since the news of the split broke on Tuesday. The breakup reportedly occurred in February, with sources suggesting Ocasio-Cortez's rapid career success may have created an imbalance in their 15-year relationship. "Rare is the man who is able to put himself in the back seat to his wife’s political career," a Capitol Hill source familiar with the couple told the Daily Mail. "The marvel is that it lasted as long as it did."
Ocasio-Cortez, 36, has been publicly documenting her journey to freeze her eggs, a process she has shared with her 9.7 million Instagram followers through a series of videos this past week. She declined to comment on her private life when approached by reporters outside her apartment on Wednesday.
The couple met while attending Boston University and became engaged in April 2022. Ocasio-Cortez was seen wearing an engagement ring, which she reportedly stopped wearing in October 2023. Despite the reported breakup, sources indicate the two remain close friends and have been seen eating together.
Roberts' father, Vincent Roberts, declined to comment on the relationship when contacted by phone. The couple acquired Deco, their French bulldog, in 2020. The dog's name was inspired by the Art Deco design style, which Ocasio-Cortez described as a favorite of hers and Roberts', symbolizing optimism and progress.
At the time of Deco's adoption, the couple faced criticism from PETA. PETA President Ingrid Newkirk wrote a letter to Ocasio-Cortez in January 2020, expressing disappointment that they purchased a purebred puppy instead of adopting from a shelter. Newkirk also raised concerns about potential health issues associated with French bulldogs due to selective breeding.