Senator Cory Booker has been a familiar face in American politics since his transformative tenure as mayor of Newark, New Jersey. Since joining the U.S. Senate in 2013, he’s built a reputation for championing criminal justice reform, expanding healthcare access, and increasing economic opportunities. Yet, while his work in public service garners plenty of attention, Booker’s personal life tends to slip quietly under the radar – surfacing only occasionally in the press, most notably during his 2020 presidential campaign.
The most noteworthy chapter in Booker’s public dating life was his relationship with actress Rosario Dawson. The two first crossed paths at a political fundraiser in late 2018, connecting through their shared passion for activism and social justice. As Booker hit the campaign trail, the pair managed a long-distance relationship, keeping most details private, but occasionally making joint appearances at campaign events and on red carpets.
In March 2019, Dawson confirmed their relationship to TMZ, expressing gratitude for Booker: “I am just grateful to be with someone that I respect and love and admire so much.” But after nearly three years together, their relationship quietly came to an end in 2022. Both maintained their characteristic privacy, choosing not to share details about the breakup.
Before Dawson, little is known about Booker’s romantic history. Unlike many public figures, he’s managed to keep most of his private life out of the limelight. Over the years, rumors have linked him with several high-profile women – names like Gayle King, Arianna Huffington, Jennifer Lopez, and Emma Watson have surfaced in the gossip columns – though these stories seem more a product of speculation than substance. In fact, Booker himself once addressed the public’s curiosity about his private life in a 2013 interview with The Washington Post: “Because I don’t talk about my personal life, it’s fascinating to people. I’m just not going to submit to that.”
Booker’s preference for privacy has, unsurprisingly, led to the occasional unsubstantiated rumor, but close observation shows he values authentic connections over media attention. Known for tweeting daily affirmations and thoughtful quotes about love, he comes across as someone who approaches relationships with intention, not for political optics but for genuine connection.
At 54, Booker is unmarried – an aspect of his personal life that briefly made headlines during his presidential run, since he would have been the first bachelor in the White House since Grover Cleveland. When asked about his single status on the campaign trail in 2019, he offered an honest take: “Dating in the public light… that early courtship, you’re trying to get to know somebody, and you’re putting them in a very difficult circumstance.”
Past Relationships
Rosario Dawson
Veronica Webb
Arianna Huffington
Gayle King
Alexis Lewis
Today, Booker’s focus remains firmly on representing New Jersey and championing issues he cares about. Whether he’s advocating for climate action or pushing for criminal justice reform, it’s clear his strongest commitment is to public service. While questions may occasionally arise about his dating life, Booker seems content to let his actions in the Senate – not his romantic history – define his legacy.