Here’s why AOC says she’s sharing her egg freezing journey
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says she’s freezing her eggs, and has shared the process on social media. Here’s what to know.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her longtime partner, Riley Roberts, have reportedly ended their engagement, closing the chapter on a relationship that spanned more than a decade and largely remained out of the public spotlight.
The split came to light Aug. 12 after The New York Times, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that Ocasio-Cortez had “quietly ended” the relationship some time ago, confirming earlier reports from Puck News and TMZ. The news arrives as the New York Democrat faces growing speculation about her political future, including a potential 2028 presidential bid, and days after she publicly discussed freezing her eggs and family planning.
Roberts and Ocasio-Cortez became engaged in 2022 in Puerto Rico, where the congresswoman’s family has roots, according to Business Insider.
Ocasio-Cortez’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment from USA TODAY.
A mostly discreet relationship
While Ocasio-Cortez’s political profile grew nationally, her relationship with Roberts remained largely private. He occasionally appeared alongside her, including in the 2019 Netflix documentary “Knock Down the House,” but generally stayed out of the spotlight. Friends told People magazine that Roberts preferred a supporting role, allowing Ocasio-Cortez to take center stage as her political career accelerated.
Who is Riley Roberts?
Like much of his relationship with Ocasio-Cortez, Roberts has largely stayed out of the public eye. The Arizona native attended Boston University, where he studied sociology and finance and first met Ocasio-Cortez as an undergraduate, according to Business Insider.
The two dated in college before splitting after graduation, when Roberts returned to Arizona and worked with startups focused on web design and advertising. He later helped co-found the home-management subscription service Homebinder. The couple eventually rekindled their relationship, and Roberts moved to New York as Ocasio-Cortez’s political career took off.
AOC recently opened up about family planning
Days before reports surfaced about the end of her engagement, Ocasio-Cortez publicly revealed that she had frozen her eggs, sharing the decision in a series of Instagram posts on Aug. 8.
The New York Democrat said she wanted to help normalize conversations about family planning and reproductive health, particularly for working women balancing career and personal goals. In a subsequent interview on ABC’s “This Week,” Ocasio-Cortez said concerns about access to reproductive care under the Trump administration also factored into her decision.
“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 said.
What comes next?
The attention surrounding Ocasio-Cortez’s personal life comes as interest in her political future continues to grow. The New York representative has emerged as a leading figure in the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, fueling speculation among prominent Democrats and Republicans about whether she could seek higher office in 2028.
Vice President JD Vance said in June that “it’s got to be AOC” when asked who he viewed as the leading Democratic presidential contender for 2028. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also praised Ocasio-Cortez and said he was “excited to see” what she ultimately decides about a White House run.
A July University of New Hampshire poll placed Ocasio-Cortez atop a hypothetical 2028 Democratic presidential primary field in the state. She has not ruled out a presidential campaign, but said during a recent appearance on ABC’s “This Week” that her focus remains on the 2026 midterms.
A Senate bid could also be an option. Ocasio-Cortez has been floated as a potential challenger to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in New York’s 2028 Senate race. A 2025 Data for Progress poll found 55% of likely Democratic primary voters favored Ocasio-Cortez over Schumer.
Asked recently about the possibility, the congresswoman left the door open, telling ABC’s Jonathan Karl that “anything is possible.”
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.