Hey there! Let’s talk about Sandra Lee, the culinary queen who became a household name during her Food Network days, particularly while hosting Semi-Homemade Cooking With Sandra Lee. Over the years, Sandra has been open about her personal life, including her marriages, romances, and heartaches. One of the most talked-about relationships in her life was with Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York. But there’s so much more to her story. Let’s dive in!
Her First Marriage: Bruce Karatz
Sandra tied the knot with businessman Bruce Karatz back in 2001. Bruce was no stranger to success, having served as the chairman and CEO of KB Home, a well-known homebuilding company in the U.S. Their union, however, wasn’t destined to last forever. After four years together, Sandra and Bruce decided to part ways in 2005. They never had children, but their marriage certainly left its mark on Sandra’s journey through life and love.
Andrew Cuomo: A Love Story That Captured Hearts
The year was 2005, and Sandra met Andrew Cuomo at a glamorous party in the Hamptons. At the time, Andrew was raising three daughters—Mariah, Michaela, and Cara—from his previous marriage to Kerry Kennedy. Interestingly, Andrew didn’t rush to tell his kids about Sandra right away. "We really didn’t address it. They were very young, and no one asked," Sandra revealed in a 2011 interview with The New York Post. It was Andrew’s parents who eventually broke the news to the girls.
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Sandra shared her thoughtful approach to blending families. "We just wanted to make sure that we were going to be together forever [before we told them]. I don’t believe in disrupting their lives," she explained. In 2009, the couple took a significant step by purchasing a house together in Westchester County, New York. By then, Andrew had been elected governor of New York, a role he stepped into in 2011.
When asked about the possibility of marriage, Sandra opened up to Vogue in 2011. "Well, I did it once, and as I was walking up the aisle, I remember thinking, 'It’s not too late to run,'" she joked. But she added, "Right now, I’m happy being a girlfriend, but someday Andrew and I will get there. When his kids say we need to, we will." Their relationship, however, took an unexpected turn in 2019 when they announced their split.
In a joint statement, they said, "Over the recent past, we have realized that our lives have gone in different directions and our romantic relationship has turned into a deep friendship. We will always be family and are fully supportive of each other and dedicated to the girls. Our personal lives remain personal, and there will be no further comment."
Starting Fresh With Ben Youcef
Fast forward to the summer of 2021, and Sandra was sparking dating rumors with actor Ben Youcef. The couple was later spotted vacationing together in Europe and has since shared their love openly on Instagram. In March 2022, Sandra underwent a hysterectomy and praised Ben for his unwavering support during her recovery. "My sweet Ben is with me and will be taking a little time off work to stay home. I’m so grateful for his and everyone’s support, my friends and family have been incredible," she wrote on Instagram.
