Is Rick Steves gay? Honestly, if you’ve spent any time on travel forums or in the comments section of a PBS pledge drive, you’ve probably seen the question pop up. People are curious. It makes sense, right? Here is a man who has spent decades exploring the most romantic corners of Europe, often appearing solo on screen, with a vibe that is—let’s be real—incredibly gentle, intellectual, and refined. In the world of "macho" travel hosts, Rick is a bit of an outlier.
But here is the thing about Rick Steves. He’s basically the most transparent guy on television, yet because he doesn't lead with his romantic life, the internet fills in the gaps.
Let’s set the record straight: Rick Steves is not gay.
He was married to his wife, Anne Steves, for 26 years before they divorced in 2010. They have two grown children, Andy and Jackie. Since late 2019, Rick has been in a long-term relationship with Reverend Shelley Bryan Wee, who happens to be a Bishop in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
So, why does the rick steves is gay search term persist year after year? It’s a mix of cultural stereotypes, his vocal advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, and a misunderstanding of his "European" sensibility.
The Origins of the Rick Steves Gay Rumors
We live in a culture that likes to put people in boxes. Rick Steves doesn't fit the standard "American Dad" box. He’s a piano-playing, museum-loving, scarf-wearing guy who talks about the "sensual" joy of a fresh baguette. To a certain segment of the audience, that translates to a specific identity.
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Then there’s the bachelor factor. After his divorce in 2010, Rick was "single" in the public eye for nearly a decade. For a high-profile celebrity, ten years of relative silence on the dating front is an eternity. People started guessing. They assumed the divorce was a "coming out" moment that never actually happened.
Rick actually addressed this vibe himself back in 2016. In a blog post titled Gay Rights Cross the Street, he wrote about seeing gay-themed traffic signals in Vienna. He noted that while he is a "conservative white middle-class family" guy, he is "absolutely comfortable with gay pride." He even threw in a line that should have ended the rumors: "nothing will change the fact that I like women."
Travel as a Political Act (and Why It Confuses People)
Rick Steves is a loud advocate. He doesn’t just tell you which hotel in Gimmelwald has the best view; he tells you why you should care about the Syrian refugee crisis or why the U.S. should rethink its drug laws.
His support for the LGBTQ+ community is part of his "Travel as a Political Act" philosophy. He’s frequently seen at Pride events or speaking out for equality. For some, seeing a man passionately defend gay rights leads to the assumption that he is part of that community. It’s a weird logical leap we make—that you can only be an ally if you have "skin in the game."
Rick’s perspective is simpler. He believes travel should make us less afraid of "the other." Whether that’s a different religion, a different political system, or a different sexual orientation.
His Relationship with Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee
If you follow Rick on social media lately, you’ve seen Shelley. They’ve been together for years now. It’s a very "Rick Steves" kind of romance. They didn't meet at a Hollywood party; they met at a Lutheran convention where he was a guest speaker.
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He often posts photos of them hiking in the Cascades or exploring Europe together. It’s a partnership built on shared values—faith, social justice, and a mutual love for a good, sturdy pair of walking shoes. Seeing him so happy with Shelley has quieted some of the "is he gay" chatter, but the internet has a long memory.
The "Workaholic" Divorce
One reason the rumors gained traction was the mystery surrounding his 2010 divorce. People love a scandal. But the reality was much more mundane and, frankly, relatable.
Rick has been incredibly open about the fact that his career took a toll on his marriage. He’s a self-described workaholic. He spends four months a year in Europe. That’s a lot of time away from home. In interviews, he’s admitted that he wasn't always the most present husband or father during the peak years of building his travel empire.
- 1984: Married Anne.
- 2010: Divorced after 26 years.
- The Reason: Long-term compatibility issues and the strain of his travel schedule.
There was no "secret life." Just two people who grew apart after a quarter-century of life's transitions.
Why the Rumors Actually Matter
In a way, the obsession with rick steves is gay tells us more about the audience than it does about Rick. We are still a society that struggles to understand men who are vulnerable, aesthetic, and deeply empathetic without labeling them.
Rick Steves represents a "New Masculinity" that is centered on curiosity rather than conquest. He’s the guy who cries at a Rembrandt painting and then goes to a pro-marijuana rally. That complexity confuses people who want their TV stars to be one-dimensional.
Actionable Takeaways for the Curious Fan
If you've been searching for the truth about Rick's personal life, here is how you can actually engage with his work and his values:
- Read "Travel as a Political Act": This book explains his worldview better than any tabloid article ever could. It explains why he supports the causes he does.
- Follow his actual updates: Rick is very active on Facebook and his blog. If there’s a big life update—like his recent openness about his prostate cancer diagnosis in 2024—he tells his fans directly.
- Support his philanthropy: Instead of worrying about his dating life, look at where he puts his money. He’s donated millions to the Edmonds Waterfront Center and local YWCA housing projects.
- Embrace the nuance: You can be a straight, church-going, "traditional" guy and still be a fierce ally for LGBTQ+ rights. Rick is the living proof.
Rick Steves is exactly who he appears to be: a guy from Washington state who loves Europe, loves his kids, loves his partner Shelley, and really, really wants you to go out and see the world for yourself. He isn't hiding a secret identity. He’s just busy trying to make the world a slightly more thoughtful place, one guidebook at a time.
If you're planning a trip soon, stop worrying about Rick's bedroom and start worrying about your itinerary. As he always says: keep on travelin'.