Rachael Ray Opens Up About ‘Weird’ Marriage and Desire to ‘Move Forward’

Rachael Ray on red carpet
Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

Rachael Ray has opened up about her ‘weird’ marriage on the latest episode of her I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead podcast, a week after confessing to needing space and time apart from her husband, John Cusimano.

On last week’s podcast, the celebrity cook shared how she and Cusimano like to spend time apart from one another. “I am wildly, wildly lucky that I have my husband. But he understands I need my space. He needs his space. John and I largely stay in separate corners,” she said.

Ray opened up further on Tuesday’s (November 5) podcast, where she spoke with chef Jacques Pépin. “One of the things that I think has been essential to my life and my success over the years is the partner that I chose,” Ray explained.

“I love my husband John, and John works with me and has built our business and our brand together, but we agree in concept about service to community, service to the world, service to animals, to children,” she added.

“My husband and I didn’t get married until very late in life, 37 and 38 years old,” the Food Network star continued. “But it was very important to me that I marry him because I thought this person could be a true partner in what I believe in and building, not a business, but a community.”

John Cusimano and Rachael Ray

John Cusimano and Rachael Ray; Rob Kim/Getty Images for NYCWFF

Ray and Cusimano married on September 24, 2005, in Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy. Cusimano is a singer for the rock band The Cringe and previously practiced law in New York City as an entertainment lawyer.

Later in the episode, Ray revealed what she “loves” about Cusimano, explaining, “He’s a lawyer and a musician. I’m not a musician, I’m certainly no lawyer… but we balance each other in a weird way. We allow each other to be open to different worlds… It’s balance.”

Explaining her philosophy on life, the Rachael Ray in Tuscany host said, “It’s all about learning and moving forward. And sometimes what you learn is what NOT to do.”

Elsewhere on the podcast, Ray spoke about her schedule and getting up at four in the morning. She said her mother’s work ethic rubbed off on her — Ray’s mother managed restaurants in New York’s Capital District for many years.

“My mother worked 100 hours a week and never complained once in her life,” she shared. “My mother always thought we are here to be of service to our neighbors, to our community, to our friends.”

Ray’s new weekly podcast premiered in October and she describes it as “unscripted, raw, and real talk,” adding, “Working fuels me, connecting with people fuels me, and this platform allows for connection and conversation on a more personal level, which really fuels me.”




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  1. R

    RedQuill

    I've been blessed for 52 yrs of marriage. We got married when we were kids, LOL. When my husband left for a couple days for work, I was depressed before he even left. He's now retired and we're living our best life. I can't imagine that kind of a marriage.

    120 16

    1. G

      GreenBone

      All couples have different personalities and have to find what’s works for them.

      18 1

    2. R

      RedCupcake

      And I'd kill myself before I lived with another human.

      3 1

    3. P

      PurpleCar

      I can't either. My hubby and I were 18 when we married and it will be 50 years. He retired from everything 6 years ago. We have 1 vehicle because we are together 99% of the time . He is my best friend and I can't imagine a marriage where we are separate.

      21 4

  2. O

    OrangeTree

    I love Rachael and John. Their marriage works for them; that's what matters.

    94 5

  3. P

    PurpleCar

    I think Rachael is a "me" person and not afraid to say it. I think her boystrous personality made her famous. John has to get away from it sometimes and because he can and come back it lasts. Neither are too needy. They have been single longer than married. It's a kind of marriage but not married kind of situation. I personally think its different.

    92 13

    1. G

      GreenBowtie

      I think she's a great chef and lady. This man is not of her caliber. I did read they were "swinger's". No way can that be a good thing. Just my opinion. All smart women should be in charge

      3 2

  4. P

    PurpleSubmarine

    Sadly I think needing space has more to do with John’s drinking and love for alcohol . He has always came off as a drinker. She is a motivator and a go getter and drinking will pull her down. I have noticed she drinks way more than she did years ago. She successfully quit smoking years ago. She has put on some weight that could be due to the drinking. I am Praying for them both.

    107 36

    1. G

      GoldCar

      Ur an ass!!!

      4 3

    2. G

      GreenPlane

      You don't know what her personal habits are. Kindly please refrain from statements that are unkind.🤫

      3 3

  5. B

    Beth Suder Volpicella

    I think there is nothing wrong with doing things apart. Just so long as you join back up again. We married later in life, kid’s later, they are teenagers and now I am a loner with my dog and my plants. He does his thing. It works, almost 20 years …

    61 10

  6. G

    GoldHammer

    37 and 38 isn’t late lol

    38

    1. G

      GoldRing

      Well people marry in their early 20s, so maybe she feels it late. Lol

      3

    2. B

      BlueBullhorn

      I agree, I got married for the 1st time at 55.

      1

    3. G

      GreenCoffee

      It is

      1

  7. G

    GoldFlame

    I adore Rachel Ray

    She has positive plans for the future.

    Rachel and John still love each other.

    Best wishes for both of them

    A fan from Lakeland. Florida

    34 1

  8. R

    RedBone

    Why is this news

    40 7

    1. G

      GoldRing

      It's an article

      3

  9. G

    GreenButton

    Love u Rachael & ur husband 💓 u do what is Best for u & john!!

    We love u both!! 😉

    29

  10. P

    PurpleSubmarine

    I love Rachel going way back when she use to be on Dr Phil who got her name out there! I don’t know much about John. I am in agreement that having space is very important to those who need it. I too like my space and I like having my own room at night.. lol.. it make for a great nights sleep for both of us our dog and kitty..

    42 15

    1. G

      GoldRing

      Actually, Oprah got her name out there! 🙂

      1

  11. M

    Mack

    Don't quite understand why they keep dragging this idiot into the news. She's sold her name to have it plastered all over cookwear. If her true background was revealed they'd drop her just as fast as they have dropped others. She's definitely a has been and just needs to go lay down and fade away into her own little world. There's others that could use this space to grow their carriers.

    86 71

    1. G

      GreenTurtle

      And what is her real back ground.

      6 2

      1. O

        OliveRadio

        Likely her show where she cooked like your neighbors 10 year old who's parents thought was amazing but the neighbors saw as ridiculously simple techniques involving a long list of "shortcuts" and silly terms like "Sammy" for sandwich.

        2

        1. G

          GreenHat

          Everybody I guess needs attention so she's dragging it on.

          2

        2. O

          OliveSnow

          You sound like a 10 yr old

          5

    2. S

      SCOTT KURANT

      She turned herself into a multimillionaire I’ll bet you’re not even close. Sounds like a case of jealousy. Isn’t that one of the seven deadly sins?

      70 6

      1. G

        GoldScooter

        I agree it's just plain old jealousy.

        8

      2. O

        OliveSailboat

        You are so wrong. Being from upstate we know exactly who this fake is. You have no clue.

        1. G

          GreenSeahorse

          Like you know her personally? The green eyed monster has you in it's power.

    3. O

      OliveSnow

      Grow your own carrier

      5 1

    4. R

      RedLobster

      Geez Karen!!

      3

    5. G

      GoldRing

      Are you ok and what did Rachel Say who doesn't bother anyone due to you

  12. R

    RedCloud

    Don’t care.

    7 5

  13. G

    GreenHat

    Looking like yu wamt attention 🤔

    7 5

  14. C

    CyanGuitar

    Losing Egypt and Mike and Kieth and Evan. My 2 favorite shows. Time to cancel HGTV.

  15. B

    BlueCone

    The woman on here are out of touch with reality if they think that's a normal relationship. I personally call them the Kardashian clan

  16. G

    GoldPizza

    I think he really truly doesn't love u. I think u know it too. I read where u said u love him but u never said he loves me, girl u are better off without him. I also watched both of u on ur TV show I could see it in his devilish drunken eyes he didn't want to be bother. U are a beautiful person Rachel with a beautiful spirit I say lose the loser u

  17. R

    RedCloud

    I think that it's non of anyone's business how Rachel and John live there lives or how they make it work I have always liked Rachel Ray I watched her show everyday it was on never missed it

  18. D

    DiggityDogg

    They’re not tall people.

  19. G

    GreenRocket

    He was caught with hookers, and Dr Phil isn't a real doctor, please , people it's t.v. ! Stop with with the nonsense ! Ya look stupid. 😔

    1. G

      GreenCoffee

      Ouch

  20. G

    GreenBee

    I met them outside of a restaurant in Piacenza in November '24. Super great, both of them!

  21. C

    CyanBottle

    Admit it you have a open marriage. Your time apart is so your husband can sleep with other women. This is your only way to hang onto him. So sad.

    4 4

  22. O

    OrangeMagnet

    I think more to your story.i am scared for you. My sister is dead due to domestic violence. I have had my face broke due to the same.i learned alot when I got help please get help Please.Before someone gets hurt.

    20 20

    1. G

      GoldHammer

      ? I don’t get it

      8

  23. G

    GoldWheel

    Sometimes learning what not to do in life is key 👌 💯

    1

  24. C

    CyanCoathanger

    I was married to the Love of my life for 42 years. They were the happiest years of my life! But, we loved to spend time together, and NEVER needed space. We did everything together. If you want space do not get married!! Stay single! Marriage is a commitment to love each other forsaking all others!! Needing space is an excuse for saying I want to be alone, away from this guy!! Again , why be married!! So sorry for this kind of a relationship.😪😪😪😪😪😪

    2

    1. G

      GoldButterfly

      I think they are both selfish. There is no love there whatsoever. She is slowly telling people about her bad marriage in case he decides to leave. So she is slowly trying to convince herself they love each other. Wake up and move on. find ypur own happiness.

  25. G

    GreenBone

    Having an open marriage is very important and fun.

    2

  26. B

    BluePlanet

    I love these two, they r two rock stars They definitely make the world a better place and I miss the show

    2

  27. O

    OliveSailboat

    She has always been a drunk. Well known here in upstate NY. The husband has been caught out with other women. She really is an evil person.

    1 4

  28. G

    GoldCocktail

    Typical woman in 2024.

    Gets married to have her space.

    1 5