Stacey Abrams is best known as a political powerhouse, author, and activist, but there’s more to her than just her trailblazing career. She’s been in the spotlight for her tireless work on voting rights, even being credited with boosting voter turnout in the 2020 elections.
As the former minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives and a 2018 gubernatorial candidate, Abrams has made a name for herself fighting for causes like healthcare and democracy reform.
But outside of politics, Abrams writes romance novels. Under the name Selena Montgomery, she published stories full of drama and passion. And with all those swoon-worthy plots, it makes you wonder: does her love life have the same heat as her books?
She Planned To Get Married In Her Late 20s
Even though her books are packed with romance and relationships, Stacey, 52, is currently single. In a world obsessed with fairy-tale endings and rom-com magic, she admits that her Prince Charming hasn’t quite shown up… yet.
But don’t get it twisted—in a CBS Sunday Morning interview, she made it clear she’s not planning to stay single forever. In her memoir Lead From the Outside, she got real about how she once imagined she’d be married with kids by 28, then pushed it to 32, and later to 41.
Now? Well, she’s learned to let go of strict timelines. “Here’s my point: I would love to give priority to my personal life,” she confessed. Still, she’s keeping her options open. As she told CBS This Morning’s Gayle King, “If a guy realizes I’m out here and wants to drop me a note, I’m looking forward to meeting him.”
It’s not like she hasn’t tried, though! When asked how she juggles love with her whirlwind schedule, she admitted it’s been a serious challenge. So much so that she had to say goodbye to a budding relationship right before the pandemic hit. The guy complained that she didn’t make enough time for him and that her being a public figure was distracting.
Heartaches By The Number, But She Never Stayed Moping Around
Don’t think Stacey hasn’t had her share of boyfriends. At 18, after her first big breakup with a guy named Chad, she didn’t just wallow. Nope, she turned that pain into a game plan. In her book Minority Leader, she spills how that breakup led her to whip up a life goals spreadsheet.
Rather than just sitting around, she channeled that energy into something bigger. She mapped out her ambitions—bestselling author by 24, millionaire by 30, mayor by 35. She didn’t just dream it; she planned it out, step by step.
Chad wasn’t the only ex who influenced her life. On July 26, 2017, she posted to X (formerly Twitter) about how another ex-partner became the inspiration for a character in her novel Rules of Engagement. Instead of just including him, she had his character sent to prison! She definitely has a knack for turning heartache into creative fuel.
She Wants A Confident Partner Who Can Make Her Laugh
But while she has had fun turning past relationships into fiction, she’s also got a clear vision for what she’s looking for in the real world. During her appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, she gave us a peek into her high dating standards.
First off, humor is key. Abrams loves a man who can make her laugh, but confidence and intelligence are must-haves, too. If you can’t hold your own in a conversation, it’s not going to work. And while she’s open-minded about a lot of things, she made it clear—there are a few deal breakers.
For starters, if you’re not into kids, don’t even bother. As the second of six siblings with a gaggle of nieces and nephews, family is everything to her. And, of course, she’s not compromising when it comes to politics. If you’re not willing to talk shop, she’s not interested.
While she knows what she wants, she’s in no rush to settle down. She’s taking her time and enjoying her solitude, confident that when the right person comes along, they’ll meet her where she’s at.
