No, Danica Patrick is currently not married. The iconic female racecar driver, who has broken gender barriers in motorsports, has had several high-profile relationships over the years. But after a rollercoaster romantic journey in the public eye, she seems to be single as of 2023.
Let‘s take a closer look at Danica‘s relationship timeline to understand her marital status.
Danica Patrick: A Brief Look at Her Trailblazing Racing Career
Before diving into her personal life, it‘s worth summarizing Danica‘s incredible accomplishments as a racecar driver which catapulted her into the national spotlight.
Youngest woman to compete in the Indianapolis 500 – Danica debuted in the 2005 Indy 500 at just 23 years old.
First woman to lead the Indianapolis 500 – She made history in 2005 by leading laps at the prestigious race.
First woman to win an IndyCar Series race – Danica won the 2008 IndyCar Japan 300, becoming the first female driver to win an IndyCar race.
Most successful woman in IndyCar history – Her 7 podium finishes and 1 win are the most ever for a woman driver in IndyCar.
First woman to lead laps at the Daytona 500 – During the 2013 Daytona 500, Danica led laps and finished 8th – the highest ever for a woman in the race.
Danica‘s success in male-dominated motorsports made her a highly visible public figure and a role model for aspiring female drivers. As she entered relationships in the spotlight, interest in her personal life grew exponentially.
Danica‘s First Marriage to Paul Hospenthal
Danica met physical therapist Paul Hospenthal in 2002 through a mutual friend. They began dating and got married in 2005.
However, after 7 years of marriage, Danica and Paul mutually decided to end their relationship in 2013. Danica said about their breakup:
“I am sad to inform my fans that after seven years, Paul and I have decided amicably to end our marriage.”
While the divorce was mutual, it was clear the couple faced challenges in their relationship over the years. In later interviews, Danica admitted the marriage had turned "toxic", hinting at deeper issues behind the scenes.
Danica‘s Major Relationships Since Her Divorce
Here is a quick timeline summarizing Danica‘s major relationships after splitting from first husband Paul Hospenthal:
Date | Relationship | Details |
---|---|---|
2012-2017 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | Fellow NASCAR driver; Met at track, dated for 5 years |
2018-2020 | Aaron Rodgers | NFL quarterback; Dated for over 2 years after meeting at 2012 ESPYs |
2021-2022 | Carter Comstock | Businessman; Dated for little over a year before breaking up |
Danica‘s dating life was filled with ups and downs after her divorce. Let‘s look at some highlights of her major relationships:
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2012-2017)
Danica met fellow NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. at the track during her transition from IndyCar to NASCAR racing. They began dating in early 2012, making their relationship public that year.
Danica and Ricky seemed happy together initially, attending public events as a couple. She said she enjoyed having someone who understood the pressures of professional racing. However, the challenges of being competitors likely complicated their relationship. They split amicably after 5 years together in late 2017.
Aaron Rodgers (2018-2020)
In January 2018, Danica confirmed she was dating football superstar Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. They had met back in 2012 at the ESPY Awards.
Both Danica and Aaron had very public breakups in 2017, so they likely bonded over starting fresh in a new relationship. They seemed very happy early on, taking romantic tropical vacations.
But by mid-2020, multiple reports emerged that the couple had broken up. The split seemed amicable as Danica only had positive things to say later about Aaron.
Carter Comstock (2021-2022)
In early 2021, Danica went public with a new relationship with businessman Carter Comstock. He co-founded Freshly, a meal delivery startup.
Danica and Carter met through mutual friends, bonding over their entrepreneurial interests. They appeared happy traveling to Italy and France together in the summer of 2021.
However, by spring 2022, Danica was noticeably absent from Carter‘s social media, signaling the end of their relationship. The breakup seemed amicable as neither spoke negatively about the other publicly.
[INSERT INFOGRAPHIC HIGHLIGHTING KEY MOMENTS IN HER RACING CAREER AND RELATIONSHIPS]Why Danica‘s Personal Life Draws Immense Interest
Danica Patrick is no ordinary celebrity. As one of the most successful female racecar drivers ever, she has been a pioneer and an inspiration for girls wanting to enter the male-dominated sport.
Because of her historic accomplishments, Danica enjoys immense fame and attention from racing fans, the media, and the general public. When someone of her stature and success enters a public relationship, interest is naturally sky-high.
Here are some key reasons why Danica‘s dating life and relationships attract so much curiosity:
Pioneer in motorsports – As the most successful woman in IndyCar and a top female NASCAR driver, her celebrity extends far beyond racing circles.
Inspiration for young women – Her success has paved the way for the next generation of female drivers. She is a role model.
No. 1 for marketability – Danica has led rankings of most marketable and endorsed drivers thanks to her broad fame.
Public breakup after marriage – Her first high-profile marriage ended very publicly, making post-divorce relationships intriguing.
Dated famous men – She has been linked to recognizable athletes and celebrities like Aaron Rodgers, further fueling interest.
Active on social media – Danica has over 1 million Instagram followers, giving fans a window into her personal life.
Given these reasons, it‘s understandable why fans and media are so curious about who Danica is – or isn‘t – dating at any given time!
Insights on Relationships from Danica Herself
While Danica tends to keep many specific details private, she has opened up over the years about her general views on relationships, marriage, and what she has learned along the way about love.
On what she looks for in a partner:
“You just have to find someone who really loves you for who you are.”
On being married young:
“Getting married at 23 is something I wouldn’t recommend to somebody else but I don’t regret because it was right for me.”
On her approach to relationships:
“Each relationship provides you something to learn if you’re open to learning.”
On her 2013 divorce:
“It’s painful, it’s hurtful. The biggest thing I’ve learned is that you can’t make someone be honest with you and you can’t make someone fight for you.”
Danica‘s candid thoughts provide an insider‘s glimpse into her mindset as she navigated relationships under intense public scrutiny. While experiencing painful moments, she‘s always maintained a positive outlook focused on growth.
Danica‘s Focus Beyond Racing and Relationships
While relationships have been a subject of immense fascination, Danica has many other creative passions beyond just racing and her personal life.
Winemaking – She launched a wine brand called Somnium in 2020, a venture mixing her interests in winemaking and promoting wellness.
Podcasting – In 2021, Danica started the “Pretty Intense” podcast where she speaks with influencers about relationships, self-growth, and physical health.
Yoga/Workout Brand – She runs a yoga and workout program website called Warrior by Danica Patrick aimed at helping people strengthen their minds and bodies.
Pursuing these fulfillinf creative projects likely gives Danica a refreshing break from being in the public spotlight or worrying about relationships.
Danica‘s Current Relationship Status: Is She Married?
So after several high-profile relationships spanning over a decade, what is Danica Patrick‘s current relationship status as of early 2023?
Danica is currently single. She has not been definitely linked to anyone romantically since her 2021 breakup from boyfriend Carter Comstock.
In fact, Danica has hinted in recent podcast episodes that she is currently not dating anyone seriously. She seems to be focused for now on passions like winemaking, fitness, and self-growth – as well as enjoying single life.
So in summary – no, Danica Patrick is not married as of 2023. She has had major relationships with men like Paul Hospenthal, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Aaron Rodgers, and Carter Comstock since becoming internationally famous. But after her latest breakup, Danica appears to be happily single and not rushed to enter into another high-profile romance.
The Bottom Line: Danica Patrick‘s Relationship Timeline
Danica Patrick is an icon for women in motorsports who also happens to be one of the most famous female athletes in the world. She understandably attracts immense interest in her personal life, especially her dating history and relationships.
While Danica enjoyed early relationship success marrying her first husband Paul Hospenthal in 2005, their marriage ended in a public divorce in 2013. She then entered several high-profile romances with celebrities like Aaron Rodgers. However, these also eventually ended after a couple years of dating each.
Danica remains single as of 2023 with no confirmed relationship. While she keeps personal details private, she has provided insights into her outlook on love and self-growth through the ups and downs.
Above all, Danica Patrick‘s legacy will always be her barrier-breaking accomplishments as the most successful woman in IndyCar and a respected NASCAR driver. Her personal relationships may continue to draw curiosity from the public, but she has proven her self-worth goes far beyond her marital status.