Hilary Duff, a beloved figure who rose to fame as a teen idol, has navigated her romantic life in the public eye, experiencing everything from early celebrity flings to a lasting marriage. Her journey through relationships has been marked by significant milestones, public scrutiny, and ultimately, a focus on family and enduring partnership. From her initial high-profile teenage romances to her current blended family, Duff's love story is a testament to growth and finding happiness.
One of Duff's earliest and most publicized relationships was with fellow teen star Aaron Carter. The two began dating around 2000 when they were both 13 years old, a relationship that was on-again, off-again until 2002 or 2003. Their young romance garnered significant media attention, and Carter even made a guest appearance on Duff's hit show, Lizzie McGuire. The relationship famously ended amidst reports of Carter's involvement with Lindsay Lohan, creating a widely discussed love triangle among young Hollywood.
Following her split from Carter, Duff had a brief, memorable encounter with Shia LaBeouf in 2002. LaBeouf later described their single sushi date as "probably the worst date" he had ever been on, a sentiment he believed Duff shared. Around the same period, Duff was also linked to her Agent Cody Banks co-star, Frankie Muniz. While the exact timeline is sometimes debated, they were believed to have dated from 2002 to 2004, often seen together at public events.
A more serious and widely scrutinized relationship began in February 2004 when a 16-year-old Duff started dating Joel Madden, the then 25-year-old Good Charlotte frontman. Their nearly 2.5-year relationship was intense and drew considerable attention due to their age difference. Duff later described it as "so all-encompassing" and "my life." Despite the public interest, the couple maintained a private stance. They ultimately broke up in November 2006, though they have remained amicable, even having a group dinner with their respective partners years later.
In 2007, Duff began dating Canadian professional hockey player Mike Comrie. Their relationship quickly became serious, leading to their engagement in February 2010 and a wedding in August 2010 in Santa Barbara, California. The couple welcomed their son, Luca Cruz Comrie, in March 2012. After three years of marriage, Duff and Comrie announced their amicable separation in January 2014, stating they would continue to co-parent Luca. Duff officially filed for divorce in February 2015, citing irreconcilable differences, a day after reports surfaced about Comrie's alleged behavior at a restaurant. Their divorce was finalized in January 2016. Despite the split, they have maintained a remarkably friendly co-parenting relationship, often seen together for family outings and holidays, exemplifying a "modern family" approach.
After her divorce, Duff briefly re-entered the dating scene. From August 2015 to November 2016, she dated her personal trainer, Jason Walsh. Duff described this as her "first more serious relationship" since her divorce from Comrie. Their relationship was private for some time before becoming public. Following this, Duff had a short-lived romance with businessman Ely Sandvik in the summer of 2017.
Duff's current and most significant relationship began with singer-songwriter Matthew Koma. They initially met in 2015 while collaborating on Duff's album Breathe In. Breathe Out., where Koma co-wrote and produced several songs. They were first romantically linked in January 2017 but had an on-again, off-again period that year. Duff confirmed they were back together in December 2017, famously stating on The Talk that it was their "third time" dating, adding, "third time's a charm!" She noted that having history and love with someone can lead to rekindled romance if there isn't too much damage done.
Their relationship progressed steadily, and they announced their engagement in May 2019. Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma tied the knot in a private ceremony at their Los Angeles home on December 21, 2019. Together, they have expanded their family, welcoming daughter Banks Violet Bair in October 2018 and daughter Mae James Bair in March 2021. In late 2023, Duff announced she was expecting her fourth child, her third with Koma, further solidifying their family unit. Koma often shares humorous and loving tributes to Duff on social media, showcasing their strong bond and playful dynamic. Their journey reflects a mature approach to love, emphasizing partnership, family, and a shared sense of humor.