Renee Zellweger and Ant Anstead’s Whirlwind Romance: Timeline of Their Relationship

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Renee Zellweger and Ant Anstead's Whirlwind Romance: Timeline of Their Relationship

Ant Anstead sparked an A-list romance with Renée Zellweger following his split from Christina Haack and the pair are still going strong. Anstead and Haack, who share son Hudson, were married for nearly two years before they announced their separation in September 2020. Anstead didn’t stay single for long, as he and Zellweger first sparked dating rumors in June 2021, the same month his divorce was finalized. Zellweger has had many famous romances of her own. In addition to her brief marriage to Kenny Chesney in 2005, the Oscar winner has been romantically connected to famous faces such as Jim Carrey, Jack White and Bradley Cooper over the years. While Zellweger has kept her and Anstead’s relationship as private as possible, the British TV host has let fans in from time to time via social media. He called Zellweger the “best human” he knows in April 2026 as the pair celebrated five years together. Scroll down for a closer look at Anstead and Zellweger's romance:

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June 2021

Zellweger worked alongside Anstead while filming an episode of his Discovery+ series, Celebrity IOU Joyride, in June 2021. 

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June 2021

By the end of June 2021, multiple outlets reported that the two-time Oscar winner and the reality TV personality were officially dating. He later reflected on his "bonkers" life and new digs, writing via Instagram that month, "I am so grateful to unwind in this space! Look what god did! Oh, and speaking of bonkers, wait till you see what I’m gonna do with Temple home! 💫 x." 

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July 2021

The two were spotted cozying up to one another on the balcony of his Laguna Beach, California, home in July 2021. With her hair tied up in a bun, Zellweger chatted with her beau while holding a mug that read, "Home is where dad is."

That same month, Anstead and Zellweger were caught kissing on their bikes at a traffic light while celebrating the 4th of July together. The PDA-filled outings continued, with the twosome smooching while wandering through the parking lot of a hardware store.

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July 2021

Anstead's eagle-eyed social media followers caught a glimpse of Zellweger in an Instagram video he posted on the 4th of July in 2021. "My lawyer is cooler than yours. Walking home we stumbled across a Laguna Beach street performer," the Brit wrote. "So of course @rogerbehle took the guitar from him and turned the 'one man band' into a DUET 😂😂." 

As he panned the camera around the block, the actress was spotted sporting a baseball cap and holding Anstead's son Hudson. 

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July 2021

A source told Us exclusively in July 2021 that the car enthusiast was "excited about life" as his romance with the Golden Globe winner heated up. "Part of it can be because he's dating Renée, but he definitely was excited about doing this project and he seems excited to do all the various projects he's working on," the insider noted. "You can tell he’s in a good spot in his life — he's super happy." 

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July 2021

Shortly after they packed on the PDA during a Laguna Beach bike ride in July 2021, the twosome ran errands at a hardware store — and couldn't keep their hands to themselves. 

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July 2021

Zellweger and Anstead passionately kissed on the beach while watching the sunset near the Brit's California home in July 2021. They played with Anstead's youngest son while they enjoyed the evening.

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July 2021

In July 2021, Discovery+ released the first trailer for Celebrity IOU: Joyride, which shows Anstead and Zellweger meeting for the first time.

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August 2021

The duo attended their first event together in August 2021, looking stunning at a Radford Motors gala at the Lyon Air Museum in Santa Ana, California.

Credit: Courtesy Ant Antstead/Instagram

August 2021

Anstead shared his first photo with his girlfriend in August 2021 before the premiere of their Celebrity IOU: Joyride collaboration. Earlier that month, he opened up about the "magical" coincidence of meeting Zellweger on the project, telling Entertainment Tonight, "Sometimes things come to you at the right time, and actually the right time is often the most unexpected."

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August 2021

Zellweger's performance in Bridget Jones's Diary was apparently so convincing that her beau believed she also hailed from his native England. "Are you telling me that Bridget Jones — Renée Zellweger — isn't British? You're like a dream crusher for me," he told Discovery+ cohost Cristy Lee in an August 2021 episode.

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August 2021

"One thing I think that really comes across in the show, is that this is an opportunity to see a little bit behind the curtain," Anstead told Entertainment Tonight in August 2021, referring to Celebrity IOU Joyride, where the couple met. "Renée in particular, she doesn't give herself freely outside of movies. She's a very private person and that's something I really love about her. ... I love that she can weld. You get to see a side of her that was really real, and she really shared that, and I think that applies to all the celebrities."

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September 2021

Us confirmed in September 2021 that Zellweger joined Anstead at the "small gathering" he put together in honor of son Hudson's 2nd birthday. Haack, however, did not attend the celebration.

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September 2021

Anstead shared a lovey-dovey selfie with Zellweger via Instagram. In the black-and-white photo, which he posted without a caption, she wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled her face next to his.

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October 2021

In October 2021, Anstead told Entertainment Tonight that he's been visiting his girlfriend in New Orleans while she films her new series, The Thing About Pam. "We wandered into this little jazz room, and it was really amazing," he said of his time in the Big Easy, adding that he's planning a return trip. "She's a good traveler and she's been to that city before, so it's nice. Looking forward to getting back."

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October 2021

In October 2021, Anstead posted a PDA selfie with Zellweger while he visited her on set in Louisiana. "WOW there is something very special about New Orleans!" he wrote via Instagram. "The late night wandering, the mind blowing history this nerd loves, the architecture, the blend of cultures, the food, the people, the smells and noises! All made made [sic] better by magical company to share it with."

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November 2021

The couple spent Thanksgiving together in November 2021 with Anstead's son Hudson, attending the New Orleans Saints football game against the Buffalo Bills at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The auto expert shared an Instagram Story video of the toddler watching the game while wearing Mardi Gras beads.

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December 2021

Anstead decorated his Christmas tree with the help of son Hudson in December 2021. Amid the photos of his little helper putting the tree topper on, the TV personality revealed a special ornament he had made for his and Zellweger’s first Christmas together.

The custom ornament showed the couple driving in a car together, each wearing hats with their names written on them. There was also a tree on the top of the car that said, “Laguna Beach,” which is where Anstead lives.

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December 2021

Anstead told Entertainment Tonight in December 2021 that he was excited to celebrate the holidays with his loved ones. "I have got a new home,” he said. “This will be my first Christmas in my new home.”

When asked if Zellweger would be spending December 25th with him and his kids, Anstead played coy, telling ET, “there are plans" to see each other, but they are "both very busy."

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December 2021

In December 2021, an insider told Us that the duo planned to spend New Year's Eve together after their first holiday season as a couple. "[They] can't wait to see what the new year has in store for the both of them," the source added.

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January 2022

In January 2022, the Radford Returns star exclusively told Us that he was "absolutely not" thinking about getting married again just yet. "What's the rush?" he added.

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February 2022

Anstead sang his girlfriend’s praises in February 2022 ahead of the premiere of her limited series The Thing About Pam. “Beaming with pride (and now sleeping with one eye open!) Ren’s latest role!” he wrote via Instagram, sharing the show’s trailer in which Zellweger portrays real-life convicted murderer Pamela Hupp alongside Josh Duhamel and Judy Greer.

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March 2022

In a March 2022 interview with Harper's Bazaar, Zellweger explained that she wanted to participate in Celebrity IOU: Joyride after seeing an episode of Celebrity IOU with Brad Pitt. She thought the show would be a good way to honor the nurses who cared for her friend and former publicist Nanci Ryder, who died in June 2020. Now, she and Anstead like to think about the fact that Ryder brought them together after her death. "We do joke about that,” she said. “She’s always doing her best. It made me smile. It made me smile to think on this, yeah, the serendipity of it all.”

Credit: Courtesy of Ant Anstead/Instagram

April 2022

The car expert shared a gushing birthday tribute to his girlfriend in April 2022. "Happy birthday to this beautiful Lady! Red you are PURE CLASS! I know how lucky I am," Anstead captioned a selfie via his Instagram Story.

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May 2022

In May 2022, an insider told Us that Zellweger is getting on "so great" with Anstead's son Hudson amid his custody drama with Haack. "[Renée's really bonded with him, and Ant loves how doting and caring she is with his kids when they’re all together." The source added that the Oscar winner "loves taking trips to the park and long walks on the beach" with her beau and his toddler. "They’re deliberately uncomplicated in that way — no airs or graces and totally down to earth. ... It’s all very positive and calm whenever they’re together with Hudson.”

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July 2022

"This lady," Anstead captioned a cuddly snap via Instagram in July 2022. "Pure. Class. Ren x." 

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July 2022

The couple were spotted packing on the PDA after Anstead won a soccer tournament.

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August 2022

Zellweger made it clear that she's not fazed by the more public side of her relationship with Anstead, telling The Sunday Times in August 2022, "Yeah, well, I don't pay much attention to any of that."

She went on to clarify that she tends to stay off social media as a whole, adding, "I don't think it would be a good thing for me. I have a list of things I like to get done every day."

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October 2022

Anstead and Zellweger "are so happy and super excited to be mapping out their long-term future together," a source exclusively told Us about the happy couple, noting that they've "deliberately downplayed wedding talk even though it’s something they’ve both been leaning toward for a while."

The insider added, "They’ve taken their time to do this right, living in separate houses and not rushing into anything. They’re trying not to get too far ahead of themselves and are both extremely private when it comes to their exact arrangements, but friends think an engagement could be very soon.”

Credit: Courtesy of Ant Anstead/Instagram

January 2023

"Always Pause for moments of magic under twinkly lights ... ❤️💫," Anstead captioned a romantic blurry photo of himself dancing with Zellweger.

Credit: Courtesy of Ant Antstead/Instagram

February 2023

Anstead gave Zellweger a shout-out in his Valentine's Day tribute to daughter Amelie.

"I’m still an old romantic … happy valentines to those that are lucky to have a special partner in their life. While today is reserved for Ren I’m lucky to have a second special lady I get to shower love on. Love you my 19 year valentines," the doting dad wrote via Instagram alongside a photo of him kissing Amelie on the head.

Credit: Courtesy of Ant Anstead/Instagram

April 2023

"Two years of magic 💫💫x," Anstead captioned a tribute to Zellweger via Instagram. 

That same month, a source told Us that the couple were looking forward to their future together. “They both want to settle down and create a home together," an insider shared. “Renée loves how romantic, open and honest he is. She does say that it took her a while to find love again, but it was well worth the wait. She’s still giddy in love. He literally swept her off her feet."

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July 2023

Anstead shared photos of himself and Zellweger posing with his two older kids, Amelie and Archie, via Instagram. A source exclusively told Us soon after that “Renée gets along really well with Ant’s children and they spend a lot of quality time together.”  

The insider added, “Despite being in the public eye, Renée and Ant love just hanging out at home with the kids, watching movies and making dinner together. They enjoy a very low-key lifestyle.”

Credit: Courtesy of Ant Anstead/Instagram

December 2023

“Tis the season ….. 🎄 x,” Anstead captioned Instagram pics of his family’s Christmas tree, which featured an ornament with two elves sporting hats with his and Zellweger’s names on them.

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February 2025

Zellweger was joined by Anstead at the premiere afterparty for her film Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy after previously walking the red carpet solo. Anstead later took to his Instagram Story to celebrate the rom-com’s official release.  

“TODAY IS THE DAY!” he captioned a pic of the promotional art for the film. “Watch in the US @peacock.”

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February 2026

Anstead and Zellweger have weathered a few storms during their relationship, including some legal drama. Us confirmed on February 19 that the pair are set to go to trial later this year after a guest of their Orange County residence accused them of negligence following an alleged injury she sustained at their rental property.

Anstead and Zellweger were sued in February 2025 after Tracey Bryn Belland claimed the couple and their landlord are responsible for her fall at the Laguna Beach property that allegedly took place in August 2024.

Zellweger and Anstead, who have been renting the home from Glenn Alan Wilson, denied all allegations against them in June 2025. Their two-year legal battle will come to a head at trial in June 2026.

Credit: Courtesy of Ant Anstead/Instagram

April 2026

Anstead made a rare comment about his and Zellweger’s relationship in celebration of five years of dating. “How it started…..” he began his Instagram tribute, sharing a photo from their 2021 meet-cute on Celebrity IOU Joyride. “Happy FIVE YEAR anniversary my beautiful lady! Hands down The best human I know! Luckiest boy! I love you my Ren 💫❤️ x.”