The former soccer star Megan Rapinoe, who is known for her radically liberal views, has officially split from her former WNBA star girlfriend Sue Bird. This comes six years after the pair became engaged.
Rapinoe And Bird Split
Rapinoe, 40, and Bird, 45, had been together for ten years. They announced their split in a joint Instagram post.
“This hasn’t been an easy decision, but it’s one we’ve made together with so much love, respect, and care for each other,” Rapinoe and Bird wrote. “We’ve shared a whole life over the last decade, through big moments and in quiet ones, and that is something we’ll always carry with us.”
“We are so grateful to this incredible community that has held us up, welcomed us in, and supported us exactly how we are,” they continued. “So many of you have reminded us, again and again, why loving out loud matters.”
Rapinoe and Bird went on to reveal that they will no longer be doing their A Touch More podcast together.
“Thank you for being with us through all of it…it means the world to us,” they concluded.
Rapinoe and Bird also announced their breakup in a video posted to their podcast’s YouTube page. They described this video as being a “personal update.”
In the video, Rapinoe emphasized that they made the decision to break up “together.”
“It’s been so meaningful to us, especially post-retirement, to be able to have this space to share, not just together but with you as well,” Rapinoe said. “We’re still gonna be there for all of you, and for each other, it’s just gonna look and feel a little bit different.”
Rapinoe And Bird’s History
Rapinoe and Bird began their relationship back in 2016. At the time, they were both competing for Team USA in their respective sports at the Rio Summer Olympics. They then went public with their relationship in July of 2017. In October of 2020, Rapinoe and Bird announced that they were engaged. It was Rapinoe who popped the question to Bird.
Rapinoe and Bird each enjoyed successful athletic careers.
Rapinoe was is a three-time NWSL Shield winner with the Seattle Reign. She has also won two World Cups, one Olympic gold and one Olympic bronze with the USWNT. Meanwhile, Bird has won four WNBA championships with the Seattle Storm and five Olympic gold medals with Team USA. Last fall, Bird was also inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025.
Rapinoe and Bird retired within a year of each other. Bird retired first in 2022. Rapinoe then played her final professional soccer games in the fall of 2023. They were each by one another’s side during their respective retirement tours.
Rapinoe and Bird were fixtures at various women’s sporting events together, especially in their home city of Seattle. They were also outspoken about their political views, and they particularly enjoyed speaking out against President Donald Trump together.
Rapinoe was previously engaged to the singer Sera Cahoone in 2015. However, they later broke up. She also previously dated her fellow soccer star Sarah Walsh.
At the time of this writing, it appears that Rapinoe and Bird’s breakup is an amicable one. Only time will tell if it stays that way.