Jillian Michaels, the renowned fitness expert, author, and television personality, has navigated her personal life with the same public transparency and dedication she applies to her career. Her romantic journey, marked by long-term partnerships, co-parenting, and multiple celebratory weddings, reflects a commitment to love and family that has evolved over the years, often shared with her vast audience.
While Michaels gained widespread fame through The Biggest Loser, her romantic history predates her mainstream success. Early in her career, fitness personality Jackie Warner claimed to have dated Michaels for six years, starting when Michaels was 21. Warner detailed meeting Michaels at a lesbian bar on Valentine's Day and even suggested she helped Michaels secure her role on The Biggest Loser. However, Michaels has publicly denied these claims, stating in 2020 that she hadn't spoken to Warner in nearly two decades and urged fact-checking of the assertions, indicating a significant divergence in their accounts of any past relationship.
Michaels' most significant long-term relationship prior to her current marriage was with Heidi Rhoades, a yoga instructor and talent manager. Their relationship began in 2009, and they quickly built a family together. In May 2012, they welcomed two children into their lives almost simultaneously: they adopted their daughter, Lukensia, from Haiti, and Rhoades gave birth to their son, Phoenix, that same month. This period marked a significant expansion of their family unit, which Michaels often shared glimpses of with her fans.
Their commitment was further solidified in 2016 when Michaels famously proposed to Rhoades during an episode of her E! reality show, Just Jillian. The proposal, set in a private movie theater, was a public declaration of their love and intention to marry. Despite their engagement and shared family life, Michaels and Rhoades ultimately decided to part ways. They announced their split in June 2018, after nine years together. Following their separation, they established a co-parenting arrangement, with their children's well-being remaining their top priority. Reports indicated that the children would primarily reside with Rhoades for 60% of the time, and Michaels for 40%, demonstrating their continued dedication to their family unit post-separation.
Following her split from Rhoades, Michaels entered a period of dating, which garnered media attention. Reports in late 2018 linked her to various individuals, including actress Natalie Martinez, Ruby Rose, and Australian author Tara Winkler, among others. This brief period of public dating indicated Michaels was moving forward and exploring new connections in her romantic life.
By the end of 2018, Michaels found a new profound connection with fashion designer DeShanna Marie Minuto. They reportedly met on Raya, an exclusive dating app favored by celebrities. Their relationship quickly blossomed, and they went Instagram official on Christmas 2018, with Minuto sharing a photo of them together, expressing her affection with "I ❤️ YOU @jillianmichaels." Their bond deepened over the next few years, marked by extensive travel and public appearances, showcasing their strong connection.
Michaels proposed to Minuto in November 2021 with a 7-carat emerald cut diamond ring, confirming their engagement. Their journey to marriage was unique, involving multiple celebrations across different continents. They first legally tied the knot in a courthouse ceremony in June 2022, attended by Michaels' children. This was followed by a highly symbolic and intimate elopement in Namibia, Africa, in July 2022, which Michaels described as "one of the most magical and transformative chapters" of her life, embracing the local culture in their vows. The couple then hosted a grand third wedding celebration for friends and family in Venice, Italy, in June 2023. This lavish three-day event included a masquerade-themed after-party in a historic church, showcasing their love in a truly spectacular fashion. Minuto has since taken Michaels' last name, becoming DeShanna Marie Michaels, solidifying their union.
Jillian Michaels' romantic history illustrates a journey of public and private commitments, from building a family through co-parenting to finding a deep, celebrated connection with her current wife. Her relationships have consistently highlighted her dedication to family, her openness about her personal life, and her evolving approach to love, always prioritizing happiness and genuine connection.