Conservative Host Leaves Longtime Wife to Marry Gay Lover

Robby Soave, a well-known political commentator and co-host of The Hill’s Rising, has become the latest subject of D.C. chatter after revealing his engagement—to a younger gay partner—shortly after parting ways with his wife of nearly a decade.

The 36-year-old, who also appears regularly on Fox News and serves as a senior editor at Reason magazine, proposed earlier this month to Jie Jung Shih, a medical student at Georgetown University.

Proposal in Italy, No Mention of Ex-Wife

Soave announced the engagement with a Tiffany ring in Taormina, Sicily, writing on X:

“Some personal news from my Sicily trip earlier this month, in case anyone missed it: I got engaged!”

He made no mention of his wife Caroline “Carrie” Soave, with whom he had just celebrated their ninth anniversary in October 2023 during a romantic trip to Positano.

Robby and Carrie were high school sweethearts who dated for over a decade before marrying in 2014. The couple frequently posted together on social media and attended D.C. social events.

Carrie Quietly Leaves D.C. After Split

Carrie left Washington last fall and returned to her home state of Michigan, where she opened a consulting firm. In a March interview, she simply stated, “My family is here and I’d been wanting to come back.”

She has not commented publicly on the breakup.

Their split has reportedly been a hot topic in D.C. circles, with many expressing sympathy for Carrie, who had been with Robby for 17 years.

Some insiders claim Soave’s sexuality had long been rumored in media circles, so the engagement surprised few.

Soave Says It Was “Love at First Sight”

Soave hasn’t shared many details about his new relationship but told Politico the two met at a bar on U Street and described it as “love at first sight.”

His fiancé, Jie Jung Shih, is involved in the LGBT community and previously volunteered at D.C.’s Capital Pride Festival.

Engagement Triggers Online Backlash

Following his announcement, Soave faced a wave of criticism online, particularly from followers and some on the right:

“I feel sorry for your wife.”
“Having a fake wife for 17 years and then leave her for an asian twink is wild.”
“Sick twisted @robbysoave cheated on his wife and abandoned her after a 9-year marriage. His fiance is a twenty-one year old twink.”
“You are a terrible person who ruined a family to play pretend.”